146 Bird -Lore 



their fare; and beetles, spiders, mice, shrews, small snakes, lizards, or evi-n birds may be 

 required to bring up the balance. 



"In some places in the West and South telegraph poles pass for milis through treelfss 

 plains and sava;inas. For lack of better perches, the Sparrow Hawks often use these poles 

 for resting places, from which they make short trips to pick-up a grasshopper or mouse, 

 which they carry back to their perch. At times, when grasshoppers are abundant, such a 

 line of poles is pretty well occupied by these Hawks. In the vicinity of Washington, D. C, 

 remarkable as it may appear to those who have not interested themselves specially in the 

 matter, it is the exception not to rind grasshoppers or crickets in the stomachs of the Spar- 

 row Hawks, even when killed during the months of January and February, unless the 

 o-round is covered with snow. It is wonderful how the birds can discover the half-con- 

 cealed, semi-dormant insects, which in color so closely resemble the ground or dry grass. 

 Whether they are attracteil by a slight movement, or distinguish the form of their prey as it 

 sits motionless, is difficult to prove, but in any case the acuteness of their vision is of a char- 

 acter which we are unable to appreciate. 



"Feeding on insects so exclusively as they do, it is to be presumed that they destroy a 

 considerable number of beneficial kinds, as well as spiders, which they find in the same lo- 

 calities as the grasshoppers. However, examination of their stomach contents shows the 

 number to be so small, compared with that of the noxious species, that it is hardly worth 

 considering. 



"In the spring, when new ground or meadow is broken by the plow, they often become 

 very tame if not mo'ested. They fly down, even alighting under the very horses for an in- 

 stant in their endeavor to capture an unearthed mouse or insect." 



Stucy Points for Teachers and Students 



Where is this Hawk found? Does it remain in your locality in winter? It not found in your locality in 

 winter, when does it arrive in the spring? When Joes it leave in "the fall? Is it rare or abundant in your 

 section? What harm to agriculture is done by grasshoppers? By crickets? By mice and other rodents? How 

 can you distinguish the Sparrow Hawks from Pigeon Hawks and Sharp - shinned Hawks? Give some reasons, 

 based on your personal observations, why the Sparrow Hawk should be protected. 



For valuable information regarding the Sparrow Hawks, consult the reference books 

 named in Leaflet No. 8, Marsh Hawk. 



Additional copies of this leaflet may be procured of William Dutcher, chairman, 

 525 Manhattan avenue, New York city. 



