94 THE AMERICAN SPARROW-HAWK. 



at night to his favourite roost behind the window-shutter. His courageous 

 disposition often amused the family, as he would sail off from his stand, and 

 fall on the back of a tame duck, which, setting up a loud quack, would waddle 

 off in great alarm with the Hawk sticking to her. But, as has often happened 

 to adventurers of similar spirit, his audacity cost him his life. A hen and 

 her brood chanced to attract his notice, and he flew to secure one of the 

 chickens, but met one whose parental affection inspired her with a courage 

 greater than his own. The conflict, which was severe, ended the adventures 

 of poor Nero. 



I have often observed birds of this species in the Southern States, and 

 more especially in the Floridas, which were so much smaller than those met 

 with in the Middle and Northern Districts, that I felt almost inclined to 

 consider them different; but after studying their habits and voice, I became 

 assured that they were the same. Another species allied to the present, and 

 alluded to by Wilson, has never made its appearance in our Southern States. 



American Sparrow-Hawk, Falco sparverius, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. ii. p. 117. 



Falco sparverius, Bonap. Syn., p. 27. 



American Sparrow-Hawk, Falco sparverius, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 58. 



Falco sparverius, Little Rusty-crowned Falcon, Swains, and Rich. F. Bor. Amer., vol. ii. 



p. 31. 

 American Sparrow-Hawk, Falco sparverius, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. ii. p. 246; vol. v. p. 370. 



Adult Male. 



Upper part of the head and wing-coverts light greyish-blue, seven black 

 spots round the head, and a light red patch on the crown; back light red, 

 spotted with black; tail red, with a broad subterminal black band. Female 

 with the head nearly as in the male; the back, wing-coverts, and tail banded 

 with light red and dusky. Young similar to the female, but with more red 

 on the head, which is streaked with dusky. 



Length 12 inches; extent of wings 22. 



Gexus X.— ASTUR, Cuv. HAWK. 



Bill short, robust; its upper outline sloping, and nearly straight at the 

 base, then decurved; cere short, bare above; edge of upper mandible with a 

 festoon, succeeded by a broad sinus. Nostrils elliptical. Feet of moderate 

 length; tarsi moderate or slender, feathered at least one-third of their length, 

 broadly scutellate before and behind; first and second toes strongest and 



