26 



SPAORRW HAWK. 



(Tinnunculus Sparverins.) 



This little hawk is the smallest of the family, be- 

 sides the above name it is sometimes called the merlin 

 or kestrel. Plumage a varied mixture of brown, ash 

 and white, the upper parts being dark. The head is 

 small and roundish, eyes keen-sighted, tail long and 

 wings pointed. Its general foods are small birds 

 and mice, which it catches with great dexterity. Sit- 

 ting on some favorite perch where it can command a 

 large area, it suddenly darts down and seizes its un- 

 suspecting prey with great ease. If it be a bird the 

 rest of the flock retreat in a speedy manner, and with- 

 out order. This bird has a harsh whistling cry which 

 is more frequently heard during the mating season. 

 The nest is placed in a hollow tree and sometimes in 

 the branches high up, occasionally a deserted crow's 

 nest is used or a woodpecker's former abode, the same 

 nesting place is used several years in succession. The 

 eggs number from three to five, roundish, color reddish 

 brown, the groundwork being light, the markings are 

 so heavy and numerous as to almost obscure it. When 

 the young are hatched the parents accompanying them 

 fly around together and sit in one place for hours at a 

 time, the old ones occasionally securing some food. 

 When pressed by hunger or in close pursuit of game 

 this bird will come close to our dwellings, it has been 

 known to go through a window in pursuit or its game 

 when highly excited or extremely hungry. 



