FALCO SPARVERIUS, SPARROW HAWK. 351 



for our loss of the specimen ; and, besides, we may reflect that if the 

 world owes us ornithology, it owes the Sparrow Hawk a living. 



It is surprising what large birds the gallant little warrior will attack. 

 I have seen it overpower and bear away a Thrasher, a bird inch for inch 

 as long as itself, and nearly as heavy. Still, it usually preys upon hum- 

 bler game, particularly such birds as those from which it derives its 

 name. It also often picks the elegant little lizards [Sceloporus) off the 

 fences. Like other Falcons, it captures its prey at a dash, or not at all. 

 If it miss its aim, or the bird contrives to elude its clutch, it disdains 

 to pursue, and remounts its observatory with a crestfallen aspect, as if 

 chagrined at its want of skill, but doubtless reflecting, " better luck next 

 time." The difference between the true Falcons and the Acoipiters is 

 much like that between a tiger and a wolf. As for the Buzzards, they 

 are bears among birds ; Kites are the weasels. In the Middle districts 

 these Hawks pair in April, and immediately go to house-keeping. As 

 they breed in every section, from the fur countries to Mexico, the period 

 varies in time of the year according to the state of the season. It does 

 not appear that they ever build a nest for themselves. They generally 

 choose the hollow of a decayed limb or tall stub ; a deserted Woodpeck- 

 er's hole answers every purpose, in many cases, and they are said to 

 sometimes occupy an old Crow's nest. The skilful and industrious 

 Woodpeckers — "carpinteros," as the Mexicans aptly call them — fit up 

 residences for the Hawks, requiring no alteration. Five or six eggs appear 

 to be the usual nest-full ; seven are stated to have been found in one 

 clutch. They are nearly spheroidal, measuring about 1.33 in length by 

 1.12 in breadth. The ground-color is usually bufly, or pale yellowish- 

 brown ; this is blotched all over with dark brown, the splashes of which 

 are usually largest and most numerous toward the greater end, at or 

 around which they may run into a crown or wreath. Some eggs are 

 pale brown, minutely dotted all over with dark brown ; some are white, 

 with pale brown spots ; and a few are whitish, without any markings. 

 I have never seen the nestlings ; Audubon says they are covered with 

 whitish down. But the iirst true feathers are much like those of the 

 parents, and the sexual distinctions of plttmage are very early apparent. 



These handsome little Hawks are often kept in confinement, and make 

 interesting, if not entirely agreeable, pets — at least for those who like 

 to see birds under such irnfavorable circumstances. For myself,, I dis- 

 like caged birds, and caged Hawks of all others ; the incongruity is 

 unpleasant, view it as we may. While I was at Columbia, in South 

 Carolina, a neighbor had three Sparrow Hawks for some time. As they 

 had been taken from the nest when quite young, they became in a 

 measure reconciled to captivity. They ate any kind of meat freelj% and 

 as they grew up, began to display much of their natural spirit. When 

 tormented in the various ingenious ways people have of "stirring up" 

 caged birds, they would resent the indignity by snapping the bill, beat- 

 ing with the wings, and clutching with their talons at the offending cane 

 or umbrella-tip. One of them was a cripple, having a broken leg very 

 badly set, and the other two used to bully him dreadfully. One night, 

 whether from not having been fed suflSciently, or being in unusually bad 

 humor, they set upon him, killed him outright, and then almost devoured 

 him before morning. 



