The Sparrow-Hawk 

 THE SPARROW-HAWK 



Accipiter nisus (Linnaeus) 



Numerous and abundant throughout our woodland 

 districts, it must be confessed that this species, especially 

 when rearing its young, does undoubtedly considerable 

 damage among the pheasant coops, and there is less to be 

 said in favour of this bird than is the case with most of 

 the other birds destroyed by the game-preserver. 



Inhabiting woods, it is not so often seen as the wind- 

 hovering Kestrel, nor is its flight powerful. When hunting, 

 it flies low along a hedgerow or the outskirts of a wood, 

 pouncing suddenly upon any hapless bird that may dart 

 out in front of it. Birds form its principal prey, but it will 

 also take mice, moles, or any other living thing which 

 comes under its notice. 



A substantial nest of sticks is built high up in some fir 

 or evergreen. A former nest is often used, sometimes 

 after a lapse of several years. The eggs are extremely 

 handsome, being pale blue with very bold mottlings and 

 markings of deep reddish brown. The same coppice is 

 resorted to yearly, although one of the parents may be 

 shot on the nest and the young destroyed. 



The adult male, which is much smaller than the female, 

 is slate blue on the upper parts, with rufous on the cheeks 

 and ear coverts. The under parts are pale buff, barred 

 with reddish brown, some individuals being much redder 

 than others. The female is brown on the back and the under 



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