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THE AMERICAN SPARROW-HAWK. 
Wings from two to three inches shorter than the tail, on the middle 
feathers of which are five, on the lateral six, broad whitish bands. Adult 
male with the cere greenish-yellow, the feet pale orange, the upper parts 
light bluish-grey, each feather with a black central line ; lower parts reddish 
or yellowish-white, the breast and sides with large oblong brown spots ; 
tibial feathers light red, streaked with blackish-brown. Female with the 
cere and legs greenish-yellow, the upper parts dark greyish-brown, the lower 
pale red, spotted as in the male. Young with the head light reddish-brown, 
streaked with dusky, the upper parts brownish-grey, the feathers margined 
and spotted with pale red, throat white, lower parts pale red, streaked 
with brown. The tail-bands vary from pale red to white. 
THE AMERICAN SPARROW-HAWK. 
Falco sparverius, Linn . 
PLATE XXII. — Male and Female. 
We have few more beautiful Hawks in the United States than this active 
little species, and I am sure, none half so abundant. It is found in every 
district from Louisiana to Maine, as well as from the Atlantic shores to the 
western regions. Every one knows the Sparrow-Hawk, the very mention 
of its name never fails to bring to mind some anecdote connected with its 
habits, and, as it commits no depredations on poultry, few disturb it, so that 
the natural increase of the species experiences no check from man. During 
the winter months especially it may be seen in the Southern States about 
every old field, orchard, barn-yard, or kitchen-garden, but seldom indeed in 
the interior of the forest. 
Beautifully erect, it stands on the highest fence-stake, the broken top of a 
tree, the summit of a grain stack, or the corner of the barn, patiently and 
silently waiting until it espies a mole, a field-mouse, a cricket, or a grass- 
hopper, on which to pounce. If disappointed in its expectation, it leaves its 
stand and removes to another, flying low and swiftly until within a few yards 
of the spot on which it wishes to alight, when all of a sudden, and in the most 
graceful manner, it rises towards it and settles with incomparable firmness 
of manner, merely suffering its beautiful tail to vibrate gently for awhile, its 
wings being closed with the swiftness of thought. Its keen eye perceives 
something beneath, when down it darts, secures the object in its talons, 
returns to its stand, and devours its prey piece by piece. This done, the 
