He was not at all embarrassed at being in such grand company, for he was used to the best society, having come of noble ancestry in the Hawk line.
"You all know me," he said in a clear voice.

"Since Sparrow-killing is ordered by the Wise Men, you should think well of me--especially you House People, who love song birds.

I will tell you a secret--I am thinking of eating no birds but English Sparrows in future!" [Illustration: Sparrow Hawk.] "So you _have_ been eating other birds ?" said Dodo.
"Y-e-s, I have, but not many more than the Shrike takes, and mostly seed-eaters--hardly ever an insect-eating song bird.

Do you know how many bad insects I eat ?" The little Hawk rattled off a long list, beginning with grasshoppers and ending with beetles; but he spoke so fast that the children could not remember half the names he mentioned.
"Where do I live?
All over North America, though I leave the colder parts in winter, for I like to be comfortable.

I make my nest in some snug hole that a Woodpecker has kindly left.