50 



ACCIl'ITRES. 



SUBFAMILY VL 

 AcciPiTRiN^. The Simrroin-Havjhs. 



Gen. Chahac. — Bill short, much arcted from the base to the tip, -nhich is 

 acute, the sides compressed, and the lateral margins greatly festooned : 

 wings generally long ; tail ample; tarsi lengthened and shielded in front ; 

 toes of various length, and generally slender ; claws long, and very acute. 





Fig. 20. — the sparuow-hawk. 

 {Accipiter nimis.) 



These birds are found in various parts of the 

 world, generally frequenting valleys and wooded 

 districts. They are very courageous : their flight is 

 low, sweeping near the ground with much rapidity, 

 and they pounce upon their prey while on the wing 

 with deadly certainty. Their food consists almost 

 exclusively of birds, such as partridges and pigeons ; 

 but sometimes they devour lizards and other small 

 animals. Their nest is built upon low trees, or in a 



