THE SPARROW HAWK. 179 



Next in size and importance to the Eagles come 

 the Hawks and Falcons, of which the varieties are 

 numerous. They all possess great similarity in their 

 formation and habits, mostly pursuing their prey 

 upon the wing, securing its capture by the vigor and 

 rapidity of their flight. 



The Sparrow Hawk, a neat and very active bird, 

 rather less in size than a pigeon, is a frequent visi- 

 tor to the farm-house and barn-yard, where it sits 

 perched erect upon a fence-stake, watching intently 

 for the approach of some unlucky mouse or mole, or 

 even for beetles or grasshoppers, upon which it 

 pounces with great quickness, and immediately re- 

 turns to its stand to devour it. When changing its 

 position it flies low until within a few yards of the 

 spot upon which it wishes to settle, when it suddenly 



the tattered remains of a child's clotliing, who had been 

 carried away from the valley below by the Lammergeier, 

 or Bearded Vulture. 



A large Eagle some years ago made an attack upon a 

 little boy about seven years of age, residing near the city 

 of New York, who, with a younger brother, was amusing 

 himself with attempting to reap, during the absence of 

 their parents. The bird sailed slowly over them, and with 

 a sudden swoop endeavored to seize the child, but luckily 

 missed him. He then alighted at a short distance for a few 

 moments, when he again renewed the attempt. The brave 

 little fellow at once struck at his assailant witTi the sickle 

 which he happened to have in his hand, and so resolutely 

 was the blow given, that entering under the left wing it 

 passed between the ribs, and penetrating the liver, proved 

 fatal. The bird's stomach was found to be entirely empty, 

 which may in some degree account for so unusual an attack. 



