212 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



Sub-family f. Accipitrina. 

 ASTUR. (Proper name.) 



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Palumbarius (Lat. of the Dove), the Goshawk. 



large "birds, which its great strength enables it to destroy. Its 

 length is about two feet ; the fourth primary feather is the 



longest. 



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The SPARROW-HAWK is common throughout Europe. It 

 skims along, a few feet above the ground, and snatches away 

 its prey, pursuing it with wonderful pertinacity. One of 

 these birds was known to dash through a window in pursuit 

 of a small bird. When taken young it is easily tamed, and 

 will then associate with the most incongruous 'companions. 

 A gentleman had a young Sparrow-hawk which used to live 

 in his dovecote among his pigeons, would accompany them 

 in their flights, and was uneasy if separated from its strange 

 friends. The length of this bird is from twelve to fifteen 



