302 ZOOLOGY. 
There are several small species of this genus, all of which appear to have 
been trained for falconry, such as the merlin (/. @salon), the hobby (F‘ 
subbutes, pl. 105, fig. T), and others. Of North American species there are 
several, such as the pigeon hawk (F.. columbarius), which is frequently met 
with throughout the United States, and the beautiful little sparrow hawk 
(£. sparverius), a familiar and remarkable bird inhabiting the whole conti- 
nent. It may be seen in the Middle States throughout the year, especially, 
however, in summer, and excites attention by its capricious movements. 
Seated upon a fence or isolated tree, it suddenly darts to some point in the 
field, hovermg in a peculiar manner over a single spot, and frequently 
returning unsuccessful to begin a fresh look-out. Spying a straggling grass- 
hopper or beetle, it makes sure of him, and solaces its appetite leisurely. It- 
rarely feeds upon anything else than insects, generally grasshoppers, an 
abundance of which is usually found in localities which it frequents. It builds 
its nest in the hole of a tree, sometimes in one deserted by a woodpecker, 
and lays four or five yellowish spotted eggs. The young are readily caught 
and easily tamed. It is a species very remarkable on account of its quiet and 
more bird-like habits than any other of our falcons, and has been ranked as 
generically distinct. | 
The Kestril, F’. alaudarins (pl. 105, fig. 8), appears to resemble in many 
respects the sparrow-hawk, and is also clothed in gay plumage. 
The foreign species of this sub-family are numerous. There is a South 
American genus (Harpagus, Vigors) and another of Africa (Aviceda, 
Swainson), which have two strong teeth in the upper mandible instead of 
one, which is usual. An Indian species (Falco lophotes) is probably the most 
beautiful of rapacious birds. In this sub-family we also find the very small 
hawks constituting the genus Mierax, Vigors, which are the smallest of tho 
family. This distinction belongs to Hl. cwrulescens, or the little Jaya hawk 
of the books. 
Sub-fam. 2. Buteonine, or Buzzards. Bill short, broad at the base, 
much curved, festooned on the margins of the upper mandible Head usually 
broad and rather flattened. Wings long, though scarcely formed for rapid 
flight, tarsi rather lengthened, feet moderate, toes rather short. Size moder- 
ate, sometimes large, never very small. 
_ The buzzards compose a sub-family of strong and massive formed birds 
with broad wings and soaring flight, but of inactive and rather sedentary 
habits. They feed on all. descriptions of the smaller and weaker quad- 
rupeds, birds or reptiles, nor do they reject the flesh of dead animals. 
Some species live almost exclusively upon frogs and snakes, others upon 
insects. 
They are widely «disseminated. Of the American species the red- 
tailed hawk (Buteo borealis, Linn.), and the winter falcon (B. lineatits), 
are the most common and universally known, and have received vari- 
ous names from the farmers and housewives amongst whose poultry, 
especially the junior part of it, in the spriug, they make considerable 
havoc. They generally, however, go by the common denomination of hen 
hawks, or occasionally chicken hawks. These birds build their nests in 
506 
