210 
360. American Sparrow Hawk (Including Desert Sparrow Hawk). American 
kestrel,, killy hawk. Cerchneis sparverius. L, 10. Plate XXVIII A. A small Falcon 
of very distinctive coloration. The only small Canadian Hawk showing much red. 
Distinctions. The coloration is very distinctive, expecially the red back and tail of 
the male, the general redness of the upper parts of the female, and the characteristic black 
and white face marking, which is common to both sexes. 
Field Marks. The Falcon characters of pointed wings and long tail, small size, colour, 
habits of hovering stationary in the air and of pumping its tail up and down immediately 
after alighting. 
Nesting. In holes in trees, usually a Flicker’s deserted nest in the top of a high stump. 
Distribution. North and South America. In Canada, across the continent north to 
the tree limit. Common nearly everywhere. 
SUBSPECIES. From specimens examined, the writer can recognize but one form of 
Sparrow Hawk in Canada, Fatco sparverius sparverius. The Desert Sparrow Hawk Fako 
sparverius phalaena has been said, incorrectly, to occur in our southern west. 
This is the only common Falcon we have, and fortunately the one to 
which the least blame can be attached. It is a beautiful little bird, and 
the gayest coloured of our Hawks. The open fields, slashes, or brfites 
are its hunting grounds, and the tallest of dead trees in the open its chosen 
observation post. It beats about over meadows, occasionally stops and 
hovers for a moment on quickly beating wings like a Kingfisher, and then 
drops upon its quarry. 
Calling this bird a “Sparrow Hawk" is a slanderous misnomer. That 
name, by right of description and association with Old World forms, belongs 
to the Sharp-shinned Hawk, which is a confirmed small bird killer and a 
close relative of the European Sparrow Hawk. Grasshopper Hawk would 
be a far better descriptive term for this little Falcon, for grasshoppers are 
its favourite food. 
Economic Status. Although a true Falcon, this bird is one of the most 
efficient and valuable protectors of the farm. Of 291 stomachs examined, 
one contained a game-bird (Quail); 53, other birds; 89, mice; 13, other 
mammals; 12, reptiles or batrachians (frogs, etc.); 215, insects; and 
29, spiders. Of the birds examined, 43 were taken in the winter months, 
from December to April. Of specimens taken in seasons when insects 
are available only 10 stomachs contained birds. This record shows that 
birds are killed by this Falcon from necessity rather than choice. The 
“other mammals” were mostly harmful rodents, with a very few shrews. 
The insects are usually grasshoppers which do great damage and are 
difficult to control. From the above evidence it is obvious that the Sparrow 
Hawk is beneficial and should be protected. 
This is a bird that could be advantageously and successfully attracted 
about the prairie farms and ranch houses. Dependent as it is on Flicker 
or similar holes for nesting sites, its normal breeding is limited to the vicinity 
of trees of considerable size. However, it is very adaptable, and has fol- 
lowed the Flicker out along the telegraph lines into the most open country, 
utilizing for nesting the premises of the original excavator. Suitable bird- 
houses erected on poles on the barest prairie would quite likely be found and 
utilized by it. 
FAMILY — PANDIONIDAE. FISH HAWKS. OSPREYS 
The Fish Hawks or Ospreys constitute a family of raptorial birds 
subsisting entirely upon fish, which they capture in shallow water by 
diving. Other members of the order eat fish, but usually only as scavengers 
