RAPTORES. 99 
though Dr. Dall in one instance saw it kill a Ptarmigan, and 
Dr. E. A. Mearns speaks of a specimen shot in the act of de- 
stroying a hen. Among insects dragon flies are favorite 
morsels for this Hawk, and the apparent ease with which 
it captures these nimble winged insects demonstrates better 
than anything else its remarkable power of flight. The 
writer has also found grasshoppers, crickets and beetles 
among the stomach contents.” (Fisher.) 
It is not easy to distinguish between this and some others 
of the small hawks. However, this is one of the smallest and 
darkest, with the habits of a Falcon, snatching its prey 
from the ground or in the air without stopping its flight 
instead of pouncing upon it and bearing it down by its 
weight. 
135. (360.) Fatco sparvertus Linn. 164. 
a American Sparrow Hawk. 
Synonyms: ‘Tinnunculus sparverius. 
Sparrow Hawk, Rusty-crowned Falcon. 
Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 161, 178. 
This is universally conceded to be the commonest of our 
hawks. It is common everywhere during the summer, but 
is less common in the northern third of the state in winter 
than in summer. It frequently comes into towns and city 
parks at almost any time, to catch English Sparrows, and is 
therefore seen by many persons who know nothing about 
any other hawks. It is readily distinguished from all other 
hawks by its bright rufous back and tail, and in the field by 
its habit of hovering over a meadow as it scans the ground 
for a mouse or insect. I have seen one spend an hour looking 
over a ten-acre field in this way, hovering in one place for 
about a minute, then change its position and hover again, 
and finally fly to another field when unsuccessful. 
“The Sparrow Hawk is almost exclusively insectivorous 
except when insect food is difficult to obtain. In localities 
where grasshoppers and crickets are abundant these hawks 
congregate, often in moderate sized flocks, and gorge them- 
selves continuously. Rarely do they touch any other kind 
