

90 THE AMERICAN SPARROW-HAWK. 



Wings from two to three inches shorter than the tail, on the middle 

 feathers of which are five, on the lateral six, broad whitish bands. Adult 

 male with the cere greenish-yellow, the feet pale orange, the upper parts 

 light bluish-grey, each feather with a black central line; lower parts reddish 

 or yellowish-white, the breast and sides with large oblong brown spots; tibial 

 feathers light red, streaked with blackish-brown. Female with the cere and 

 legs greenish-yellow, the upper parts dark greyish-brown, the lower pale 

 red, spotted as in the male. Young with the head light reddish-brown, 

 streaked with dusky, the upper parts brownish-grey, the feathers margined 

 and spotted with pale red, throat white, lower parts pale red, streaked with 

 brown. The tail-bands vary from pale red to white. 



THE AMERICAN SPARROW-HAWK. 



■+ Falco sfarverius, Linn. 



PLATE XXII Male and Female. 



We have few more beautiful Hawks in the United States than this active 

 little species, and I am sure, none half so abundant. It is found in every 

 district from Louisiana to Maine, as well as from the Atlantic shores to the 

 western regions. Every one knows the Sparrow-Hawk, the very mention 

 of its name never fails to bring to mind some anecdote connected with its 

 habits, and, as it commits no depredations on poultry, few disturb it, so that 

 the natural increase of the species experiences no check from man. During 

 the winter months especially it may be seen in the Southern States about 

 every old field, orchard, barn-yard, or kitchen-garden, but seldom indeed in 

 the interior of the forest. 



Beautifully erect, it stands on the highest fence-stake, the broken top of a 

 tree, the summit of a grain stack, or the corner of the barn, patiently and 

 silently waiting until it spy a mole, a field-mouse, a cricket, or a grasshopper, 

 on which to pounce. If disappointed in its expectation, it leaves its stand 

 and removes to another, flying low and swiftly until within a few yards of 

 the spot on which it wishes to alight, when all of a sudden, and in the most 

 graceful manner, it rises towards it and settles with incomparable firmness of 

 manner, merely suffering its beautiful tail to vibrate gently for awhile, its 

 wings being closed with the swiftness of thought. Its keen eye perceives 

 something beneath, when down it darts, secures the object in its talons, 

 returns to its stand, and devours its prey piece by piece. This done, the 



