38 
The Sparrow Hawk 
of the Sparrow Hawk is a strong distinguishing mark, the Pigeon 
Hawk and Sharpshin being much darker. Seen from below, the Sparrow 
Hawk presents a much lighter effect than either of the 
Distinguishing 0 ^her species, which are heavily barred or streaked 
underneath, the length of the wings is another point 
of difference : the wings of the Sparrow Hawk when folded reach nearly 
to the end of the tail, while those of the Sharp-shinned Hawk fall far 
short of it. 
These small hawks differ decidedly in behavior. The Sparrow Hawk 
is much given to hovering in the open, then dropping to the ground, 
not very rapidly, to seize its humble game (usually a grasshopper) and 
then fly back to a perch to eat it. The Pigeon Hawk and Sharp-shinned 
Hawk, on the other hand, make a few rapid wing-strokes and then sail 
on for some distance. The Sparrow Hawk hunts and perches in open 
places, while the Sharpshin confines itself to the woods and thickets, 
perching in a tree where it may be hidden. 
The note of the Sparrow Hawk, once heard, will always serve to 
distinguish this species from the other two. Another very excellent 
means of identification is the situation of the nest ; if it is in a hole 
of any kind it is fairly sure to belong to a Sparrow Hawk ; but if it is 
built of sticks and other material in the branches of a tree it is almost 
sure to be the nest of a Pigeon Hawk, or, more likely, that of a Sharpshin. 
These distinguishing marks are given with the earnest hope that 
farmers, sportsmen, and others who in the past have killed all hawks, 
will in the future spare the Sparrow Hawk, on account of its great 
service to agriculture. When in doubt regarding the identity of a small 
hawk, give the benefit of the doubt to the hawk and refrain from 
Pilling it, for you may thus save a valuable bird, belonging to a 
species which, during every one of the twelve 
be s7ved° months, renders a service to the agricultural in- 
dustry of the country that is far beyond computation. 
In the exhaustive report on this species made in 1893 by Dr. A. K. 
Fisher, of the United States Department of Agriculture, will be found 
indisputable evidence of the absolute value of the Sparrow Hawk as a 
destroyer of grasshoppers and of rodents, and, on the other hand, of 
the fact that it does very little harm. 
The contents of the stomachs of 320 specimens of this hawk, which 
had been collected in widely separated parts of the country, and in all 
seasons of the year, were examined by Government experts ; in one only 
were found remains of a game-bird, and that among a mass of insects. 
This fact shows that sportsmen have no excuse for killing a Sparrow 
Hawk, as it certainly does not molest game-birds. Dr. Fisher summarizes 
the matter as follows : 
The subject of the food of this hawk is one of great interest, and, 
considered in its economic bearings, is one that should be carefully 
studied. The Sparrow Hawk is almost exclusively insectivorous, except 
