FALCONS 17 



SPARROW HAWK 

 Falco sparverius sparverius. Case 1, Figs. 7, 8; Case 3, Figs. 5, 6 



The male has the tail with only one bar; the breast unmarked; 

 the abdomen with black spots; while the female has the tail with 

 several bars, the underparts streaked with brownish. In both 

 sexes the bright reddish brown o£ the upperparts, black markings 

 about the head, and small size are gold field characters. L. 10. 



Range. Sparrow Hawks are found throughout the greater part 

 of the Western Hemisphere. Our eastern race inhabits the 

 region east of the Rockies and is migratory at the northern limit 

 of its range. Southern Florida specimens are slightly smaller 

 and darker and are known as the Florida Sparrow Hawk (,F. s, 

 Qaulus). 



Spakrow Hawk Hoveking above its Prey. 



Washington, common W. V., rare S. R. Ossining, rather rare 

 P. R. Cambridge, P. R., common in summer, rare in winter. 

 N. Ohio, common P. R. Glen Ellyn, rather rare S. R., Mch. 10- 

 Oct. 26. 



The Sparrow Hawk is one of our commonest and most 

 familiar Hawks. He is a handsome little Falcon, and 

 though his prey is chiefly humble grasshoppers, he captures 

 them in a sportsmanlike manner by " waiting on" or hov- 

 ering on rapidly beating wings over his game and dropping 

 on it with deadly aim. His call is a high, rapidly repeated 

 Killy-killy-killy. The three to seven eggs, finely marked 

 with reddish brown, are laid in a hollow limb or similar 

 situation in April. 



