THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 181 



the bird, like all birds of prey when surprised in this manner, 

 flew off in an almost vertical — i.e. downward — direction. 



It is rather strange that this Eagle, which according to 

 Rohweder (Vogel Schleswig-Holstein's, p. 5), is resident, though 

 only sparingly, throughout the whole of that district, should not 

 occasionally i\y across to this neighbouring island. Evidently it is 

 limited very strictly to a north-to-south line of migration. 



This bird occurs as a breeding species in central and southern 

 Europe, and Asia. 



17. — Gos-hawk [Hdhnerhabicht]. 

 FALCO PALUMBARIUS, Linn.' 



Heligolandish : Groothoafk = Great Hmnk. 

 Falco palumharius. Nauniann, i. 249. 

 Gos-hawk. Dresser, v. 587. 



Aiitour. Temminck, Manuel, i. 55, iii. 27 



This stately bird of prey has only been seen four or five times 

 in Heligoland during the last fifty years. Two of these examples 

 are in my collection, one a young, the other an old bird The 

 latter was shot on the 8th of March 1880, and is a fine female in 

 adult plumage ; the other a young autumn bird, in the too zealous 

 pursuit of a prospective victim, got into the throstle-bush and was 

 caught. 



The Gos-hawk is distributed as a breeding species over the 

 whole of Europe and Asia ; that its visits to Heligoland are so rare, 

 although, according to Rohweder (I.e.), it is abundant, and even 

 nests pretty frequently in the neighbouring district of Schleswig- 

 Holstein, is probably due to the complete absence of trees on this 

 island. To the same cause its rare appearance on the i.sland of 

 Borkum is probably attributable. (Droste-Hiilshoft' Vogelwelt der 

 Nordseeinsel Borkum.) 



18. — Sparrow-Hawk [Finkenhabicht]. 



FALCO NISUS, Linn.2 



Heligolandish : Lulj hoafk = Little Hawk. 



Falco nisus. Naiimann, i. 258. 



Sparrow Hatvk. Dresser, v. 599. 



Ej)ervier. Temminck, Manuel, i. 56, iii. 28. 



The autumn migration of the smaller birds provides a well- 

 spread table for this nimble robber, and it accordingly does not 



^ Astiir jialumhariua (Lmv.). ■ Accijiiter nisus (hinn.). 



