Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-09-13
The American sparrow Hawk.
By William butcher, Chairman Nation
Committee Of Audubon Societies.l
DESCRIPTIONS.

OOWnIttee OF Au0uDOu 6OC1ee1eo.l
DHscRIPrIoN.
Adult Male-Genersl aspect above bright
rufous; top Of head blush slate with rufous
crown patch, which varies very greatly in
size In different individuals; . series Of large
black patches commences under eyes and ex-
tends to back Of neck; back barred with
black. in some birds profusely, others very
slightly; sub-terminal broad band Of black ON
tail, followed by white tip; outer feathers Of
tail and sometimes others marked with black
and white, showing conspicuously from below;
wing, upper part blush, more or less spotted
or barred with black, long quill feathers
black, Inner web barred with white, show
ing conspicuously from underneath; under
parts varying from almost white to deep bun
more or less spotted with black ON sides and
belly; throat white.
Adult Femals-General appearance above
rufous, very heavily barred with black: head
like that of male, showing similar individual
variation; wing, long quill feathers, black
spotted on upper surface with rufous,~ but
showing silvery, barred with black, from be-
low; underneath, whitish, heavily streaked
with brown, varying in shade from pale to
very dark.
the sparrow hawks is very remarkable, max
ing it extremely dificult to accurately de-
scribe the species. In . large series Of
specimens, hardly any two birds are exactly
alike in detail.
the sexes being distinguishsble ~ soon as the
young are able to fy.
Sise-Male, from end Of bill to end of tail
- aa 80 n l.
larger, varying from $50 to IL inches.
7 Nest-Is in cavity Of some kind; . hole In
tree, either natural or the work Of some
woodpecker, and, where trees are not avail
able, hole in q sandstone clin or in clay
bank.
Eggs-Usually from three to five, which vary
In color from clear white to buff or cream;
spotted, blotched, marble, or sprinkled with
shades Of walnut brown. chestnut, cinnamon,
rufous and COURAGEOUS in varying patterns.
Scarcely two sets are alike" (Bendire.)
Distribution-The sparrow hawk is found in
all parts OF North America, from Great Slave
lake southwark to northern South America
West OF the Rocky mountains slightly
dinerent species is recognized, known as the
desert sparrow hawk. and in lower California
is still another species, called st. Lucas
sparrow hawk. The actual difference be-
tween the three species is so very slight that
only the most expert and critical ornitholo-
gist can observe it; the layman can see no
difference in the plumages, and as the habits
OF all are the same, and all deserve protection,
consideration as separate subspecies is not
necessary at this time.
The sparrow hawk is the smallest of the
North American hawks, and is also our
most beautiful species, as well as being one
OF the most beneficial. Its name is singu-
larly Inappropriate, as it in no way resem-
bles sparrow in form or habits, nor does
it eat them to any serious extent. II it
could be renamed at the present time, it
might very properly be called the grass
hopper hawk, because it destroys such
enormous quantities OF these destructive
insects. The only species that the sparrow
hawk can be confused with is the pigeon
hawk or the sharp-shinned hawk. While
it is always somewhat difficult to recog-
nize some birds while flying, or even while
at rest, yet it may be done by a careful OBJ
server, and it should be done in the case oil
the sparrow hawk because OF its great
worth and entire lack Of harmful qualities
The large amount of chestnut color on
| the back and tail of both sexes of the
sparrow hawk is strong distinguishing
mark, the pigeon hawk and sharp Skinned
hawk being much darker. Below, thu
sparrow hawk presents q much lighter
effect than 1.-THE two other species, which
are heavily barred or streaked underneath
The length Of the wings is another yer,
marked point of difference in the sparrow
hawks. When the sparrow hawk il
perched with wings folded, they reacl
nearly to the end Of the tail, while tn,
wings OF the sharp-shinned hawk fall ia
short of it. The flight Of these small
hawks differs quite materially, the spar
row hawk being much given to towering
in the open, when it will drop to tn
ground with not very rapid motion an,
seize its humble game of grasshoppe
and fly back to perch and eat it.
The pigeon hawk and sharp-shinne,
hawk make few rapid wing-strokes an,
then sail for some distance. The sparrow
hawk.hunts and. perches in open places
| WuAAo ZIG ouhI p-SuAuuou uoWk COuuuob ~
self to the woods and thickets, perchinI
in tree where it may be hidden. Til
note of the sparrow hawk is "Killee, killee
killee," which, once heard, will Away
serve to distinguish this species from tn
two others with which it may be con
founded.
Another very excellent means of identi
fication of the sparrow hawk, if seen at o
near its nesting site, is the location of tn
nest; if it is in a hole of any. kind it is al
most sure to belong to sparrow hawk
while if it is q nest built OF sticks ant
other material in the branches OF tree, i
is equally sure to be the nest Of pigeon
or sharp-shinned hawk. As the pigeol
hawk IL not often found breeding within
the limits OF the United States, the ire
nest, if found south of the Canadian Dor
der, will very likely be that of the sharp
/ Skinned hawk.
! These several distinguishing marks ar
/ uov, with tho oorpaat hoy>o that fory,oorc