148 
FALCONIFORMES 
below, the darks never predominate over the whites, creams, or ochres of 
the ground colour. Probably the most distinctive character of this race is 
the crown: that of the Eastern Pigeon Hawk is always decidedly dark, 
having the effect of dark brown feathers with faintly lighter edgings; in 
Richardson’s Merlin, the crown is lighter, having an effect of rusty-ochre 
feathers with soft, dark median lines. 
In the Black Merlin all the dark colours are sootier, and more exten- 
sive. The back of the adult male is much like that of the Eastern Pigeon 
Hawk, but blacker, and that of the juvenile is nearly black instead of dark 
brown. Below, in all plumages, the dark stripes are deeper in colour, 
broader and sharper in outline, and predominate over the lighter ground. 
The throat is generally plainly streaked instead of immaculate. The pattern 
of the first primary is usually a good test for this subspecies. In the Eastern 
Pigeon Hawk the light barrings are sharp and clear, and extend to the 
outer edge of the vane; in the Black Merlin they are smaller, sometimes 
almost lacking, and do not run to the edge of the web (Figure 217). The 
Western Pigeon Hawk is described as intermediate between suckleyi and 
richardsoni, but the present writer fails to see that specimens from the 
postulated localities are recognizably different from columbarius and 
cannot substantiate it. 
In courage and spirit this species is a miniature of the Peregrine 
Falcon. It is more of a woodland bird, and is usually seen under less 
falconine conditions, dashing about the edges of copses, more like a Sharp- 
shinned Hawk, but when observed in straight-away flight in the open its 
falcon characters are plain. 
Of 51 stomachs examined: 2 contained young chickens; 41, small 
birds; 2, mice; and 16, insects. It is apparent from this record that the 
Pigeon Hawk is destructive to small birds, and on occasions will take small 
poultry. Though more common than the larger falcons, it is still far from 
numerous; this, together with its natural wariness, prevents it from becom- 
ing a serious pest to the poultryman. It often follows the shore bird 
flocks on migration, and seems particularly fond of the Black-bellied Plover. 
Though, individually, it has considerable possibility of harm to wild life, 
the species as a whole has little economic effect. 
360. American Sparrow Hawk. American kestrel, killy hawk, le faucon 
cresserelle d'amIsrique. Falco sparvarius. L, 10. Plate XVII A. A small falcon of 
very distinctive coloration. The only small Canadian hawk showing much red. 
Distinctions. The coloration is very distinctive, especially 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, ruddy 
colour, and 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. The Sparrow Hawk of Canada is the Eastern Sparrow Hawk (le 
Faucon cresserelle de l'Est) Falco sparvarius sparvarius. The Desert Sparrow Hawk 
F.s. phalaena was once accredited to the west but has been dropped from the Canadian list. 
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 brides 
are its hunting grounds, and the tallest of dead trees in the open its chosen 
