ECONOMIC RELATIONS OF OUR BIRDS. 
585 
170. Falco Columbarius, Linn. PIGEON HAWK. Group III. Class b. 
Tliis spirited, swift-winged little Hawk has been described as one of the most 
destructive of its tribe. It captures birds upon the wing with little difficulty, 
and is so audacious as to desti’oy Ptarmagan birds larger than itself. Its sagacity 
leads it to take advantage of gregarious species, and it follows all our birds in 
their migrations north and south. Dr. Hoy states that those which nest near 
Racine, regularly, morning and evening, visit the lake shore in quest of Bank 
Swallows which they seize with great dexterity. It appears to breed, as a rule, 
north of the United States, but Mr. Nelson mentions it as a rare summer resident 
in Illinois. 
Food: Small birds and mice. It often follows flocks of Blackbirds, Pigeons 
and Robins — many of which become its victims (Wilson). It catches birds as 
large as itself, follows gregarious species, and preys much upon mice, gophers, 
and squirrels (Cooper). Destroys Robins, Bluebirds and Sparrows in great num¬ 
bers, and attacks the Pigeon and Dove (Samuels). Robin, Wild Pigeon, Golden¬ 
winged Woodpecker, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and pursues Snipe and Teal 
(Audubon). Bank Swallows (Dr. Hoy). Feeds upon small birds, but is not 
troublesome to farmers (Mr. Downes). 
Falco Richardsonii is said to have been taken near Racine. 
171. Falco sparverius, Linn. SPARROW HAWK. Group II. Class c. 
Except the Marsh Harrier, no Hawk is as abundant as this little Falcon. It 
is more abundant in wooded districts than in prairie sections, and the borders of 
woodlands and fields with scattering trees are its favorite resorts. It is too 
small to be destructive to poultry, except when very young, but it is none 
the less dangerous on this account to our most useful small birds. It captures 
birds on the wing with little difficulty, is more than a match for the Brown 
Thrasher, and tears open the bottle-shaped nest of the Cliff Swallow to secure 
the inmates. When autumn comes and our birds go south, “ in their rear rushes 
the Sparrow Hawk.” I have seen this species come close to a house and attempt 
to capture one of a brood of young Robins which had recently left the nest. 
At another time a Song Sparrow only escaped its pursuer by diving into a brush 
pile; and once one of these Hawks flew close over my head, bearing off a small 
bird in its talons. But its food does not consist of birds alone. Indeed, it con¬ 
sumes so many noxious insects, and is such an excellent inouser, that Dr. Coues 
says it is to be held a benefactor to the agriculturist, and this view is also enter¬ 
tained by Dr. Cooper. My own notes, viewed with reference to the conditions 
stated in the Introduction, do not, however, point in this direction. It will be 
seen that it is very destructive to noxious insects, but it should be observed that 
these insects are destroyed in great numbers by many less dangerous species. 
As an insect destroyer it is not, thei’efore, especially needed. Small birds are 
not so abundant at present as to demand the assistance of a lai’ge number of 
Birds of Prey to hold them in check; and plows, cultivators, reapers, mowei's 
and horse-rakes work such havoc among field-mice as to preclude their ever be¬ 
coming excessively abundant in regions where these implements are used. For 
this reason the service which Rapacious Birds render by destroying mice in agri¬ 
cultural districts is not as great as it ajipears to be. 
Food: Of seven specimens examined, two had eaten two mice; four, twenty- 
five grasshoppers; three, twenty-five crickets; one, six beetles; one, five moths; 
and one, two hauy caterpillars f ArctiaJ. One was seen to take a young Robin 
from the nest and one to capture another bird not identified. 
