CHAPTER XIII 



FAMILIAR HAWKS 

 (Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk) 



IN the chapter dealing with the buzzard, I have en- 

 deavoured to show that wild birds know well the 

 various birds of prey, and recognize at a glance which 

 of them they need to fear. If anyone doubts this, it is 

 only necessary to observe how very little respect small 

 birds have for the kestrel. One seldom sees a titlark 

 taking any liberties with a merlin, and one never sees 

 small birds endeavouring to mob a peregrine, whereas 

 it is the rule, rather than the exception, to see a kestrel 

 or even a sparrow hawk accompanied by its noisy train 

 of small fry. If, moreover, each and every one of our 

 birds of prey were not accurately weighed up for what 

 it is worth among its feathered kindred, how is it that 

 small birds are so well able to recognize the cuckoo for 

 what he is, mobbing him without fear ? — for the cuckoo 

 so closely resembles a hawk that comparatively few 

 country people recognize them apart. It may be added 

 that one very noticeable difference is this : a cuckoo 

 holds its head up when it flies, looking in front of it, 

 whereas a hawk habitually holds its head down, searching 

 the earth below. 



Not very long ago, motoring over Glenogle, I noticed 

 an amusing incident — a kestrel seated on the telegraph 

 wires, while on either side of him and quite close up, 

 sat two tiny birds, no larger, indeed, than a man's thumbs. 

 The hawk looked enormous between them, and both of 



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