88 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



357. Pigeon Hawk (Falco columbarius columbarius.) 



Probably seen only in migration in South Dakota. From 

 eleven to twelve inches in length. Male above bluish slate; 

 throat usually nearly white; belly light but streaked with 

 brown; tail with four dark bands, the wide end one tipped with 

 white. Female and young, dark brown above; below buffy and 

 more heavily streaked with brown ; tail with four or five bands. 



357b. Richardson's Pigeon Hawk (Falco columbarius rkhardsoni.) 



This Hawk is not common in the State but probably 

 nests occasionally. In size and plumage it clearly resembles No. 

 257 but is more of a grayish drab in color, and usually has six 

 bands on the tail. 



360. Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius sparverius.) 



Abundant over the entire State, nesting in old Woodpecker 

 holes, hollow trees, and crevices in the badlands. The smallest 

 of our Hawks, measuring not over ten or eleven inches in length. 

 The crown of both sexes is bluish slate, usually with a chestnut 

 patch. Male : back and tail chestnut with a few black bars on 

 back and one wide black bar on tail ; wing coverts bluish slate ; 

 under parts creamy white with black spots. Female: chestnut 

 brown above, with many blackish bars on back and tail; below 

 whitish, streaked with brown. Its food is chiefly mice, grass- 

 hoppers, beetles, and occasionally small birds. 



364. Osprey; Fish Hawk (Pandion haliaetus carolinensis.) 



Rather rare in South Dakota. Crown white streaked with 

 black; throat and breast white or streaked with brown; black 

 line on sides of neck reaching to eyes. Under parts white; back 

 black or blotched with white and brown; legs longer than in 

 Hawks; toes open to the base; claws of equal length. The 

 plumage is close and oily, which fits it for diving after fish, its 

 principal food. 



365. Barn Owl (Aluco pratincola.) 



This Owl has been rarely taken except in the southern 

 part of South Dakota. Length about eighteen inches; above, 

 buff mixed with gray; below, white and tawny usually with 

 small black spots; no ear tufts; eyes black; face disk almost a 



