SPARROW HAWK. 



121 



other nests at the same time the Hawks were endeavoring to raise their 

 brood. 



In Florida it begins to breed early in March; in the latitude of 

 New York abont the middle of May, and in the northern part of its 

 range it is probably Jane before the eggs are deposited. The number 

 of eggs in one nest is usually five, rarely more. 



Its ordinary flight is irregular and not long continued. Even in 

 migration it often stops to rest on a tree top or fence post, where it may 

 remain a considerable time. Still it is capable of very rapid flight. It 

 rarely if ever soars as do most of the other Hawks. Sometimes it makes 

 a succession of rapid beats with its wings and sails for a short distance, 

 but usually, when in search of food, instead of circling it hover s 3 remain- 

 ing stationary with rapid-moving wings. If it perceives its quarry it 

 drops to the ground to seize it, and, if successful, bears it away to a 

 neighboring stub or fence pole to devour. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Small, wings narrow and pointed ; top of head bluish gray or dark 

 slate, the crown with or without a rufous patch. 



Male. — Tail chestnut rufous, crossed by a broad black band near end; 

 wings grayish blue, more or less spotted with black. Above: Eufous, 

 with or without black bars or spots. Below: Varying from white to 

 deep rufous, with or without black spots. 



Female. — Tail, wings, and back crossed by numerous narrow bands of 

 dusky. 



Length: 8.75 to 12 inches (222 to 305 mm ); extent, 20.75 to 22.75 

 inches (527 to 577 mm ); wing, 6.55 to 8.15 inches (166 to 207 mm ); tail, 

 4.20 to 5.60 inches (105 to 142 mm ). 



Table 



the results of examinations of 320 stomachs of the Sparrow HawTc 

 (Falco sparverius). 



Locality. 



Date. 



Poultry 



or game 



birds. 



Other birds, 



l&ammals. 



Miscellaneous. 





Aug. 18, 1885 



Sept, 22, 1885 

 Mbr. 3,1885 



Sept. 4,1885 

 Mar. 1,1885 

 Apr. 4,1885 



July 13,1886 

 July 24, 1886 



....do 









Spider, grass- 

 hoppers. 



Sing Sing, F. T 



Washington, D. C 















Grasshoppers, 

 crickets. 



Alfred Centre, TZ.Y ... 









Volusia County, Fla . . 

 Do 



















Peterboro, N.Y 







Hair of mice 



remains. 



Do 







Grasshoppers, 



crickets. 



Do 









Chester County, Pa . . . 



July 28, 1886 

 ....do 









Grasshopper and 



cricket. 

 Grasshoppers 



and crickets. 



Do 









Do 



Feb. 24,1886 

 Feb. 4, 1886 



Jan. 16,1886 

 May 25, 1886 

 Aug. 31, 1886 

 July 24, 1886 









East Windsor Hill, 









Empty. 



Conn. 

 Maplewood, ~N.J 









Do 











Lockport, M". Y 



Peterboro, N. Y 

















Grasshoppers 

 and crickets 











