AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK. 
53 
the whole of the others are very deep red bay, with a single 
broad band of black near the end, and tipt with yellowish white ; 
cere and legs, yellow ; orbits, the same ; bill, light blue ; iris 
of the eye, dark, almost black ; claws, blue black. 
The character of this corresponds with that of the female, 
given at large in Vol. I. p. 262. I have reason, how- 
ever, to believe, that these birds vary considerably in the 
colour and markings of their plumage during the first and 
second years ; having met with specimens every way corre- 
sponding with the above, except in the breast, which was a 
plain rufous white, without spots ; the markings on the tail 
also differing a little in different specimens. These I uniformly 
found, on dissection, to be males ; from the stomach of one of 
which I took a considerable part of the carcass of a Robin, 
( Turdus migratorius,) including the unbroken feet and claws ; 
though the Robin actually measures within half an inch as 
long as the Sparrow Hawk.* 
* Bonaparte has separated the Small American Falcons from the larger 
kinds, characterizing the group as having the wings shorter than the tail, tarsi 
scutellated ; and Mr Swainson says, that the group seems natural, differing 
somewhat in their manners from the larger Falcons, and having analogies in 
their habits to the Shrikes. 
With both these we agree. It is long since we thought the general form 
and habits of our common Kestrel — analogous to Wilson’s bird in Europe — 
differed from those of the true Falcons, as much, certainly, as Astur does from 
Accipiter, and both should be only by subordinate divisions. The manner of 
suspending itself in the air is exactly similar to that of our Windhover ; and I 
am not aware that this peculiar manner of hunting is made use of by any 
other of the Falconidce, with the exception of the Kestrels, that is, those 
of Europe or Africa, F. rupicola, tinunculoides, &c. The true Falcons 
survey the ground by extensive sweeps, or a rapid flight, and stoop at once 
on their prey with the velocity and force of lightning ; the others quietly 
watch their quarry when suspended or perched on a bare eminence or tree in 
the manner described, and take it by surprise. Insects, reptiles, and small 
animals form part of their food ; and to the old falconists they were known 
by the name of “ Ignoble.” The whole of the Kestrels are very familiar, 
easily tamed, and when in confinement become even playful. Their great 
breeding place is steep rocks, clothed with ivy, and fringed with the various 
wild plants incident to the different climes ; in the chinks and hearts of these 
