334 SPARROW-HAWK. 



only one which need be noticed is the Levant Sparrow-Hawk, 

 A. brevipes^ which inhabits the area between Central Russia and 

 Syria, and appears to be extending its range in a westerly direction ; 

 it may be recognized by its much shorter legs. 



Like the Goshawk, this species usually builds its own nest, 

 composed of sticks with a slight lining of twigs, and invariably 

 places it in a tree, often on the branches close to and sheltered by 

 the bole, or near the top : sometimes, however, it adapts and adds to 

 the deserted abode of a Crow, Wood-Pigeon, or other bird. The 

 4-6 eggs are pale bluish-white, blotched, mottled, and often zoned 

 with various shades of reddish-brown : measurements i-6 by i"25 in. 

 In this country they are generally laid early in May, at intervals 

 of two days, and incubation lasts nearly seven weeks. When 

 urged by the necessities of a clamorous brood the Sparrow-Hawk is 

 even more bold and rapacious than at other times, and is then 

 especially dangerous to the young of game and poultry ; but it 

 feeds principally on other birds, even Magpies and Wood-Pigeons, 

 snapping them up in an instant, as it glides with rapid though stealthy 

 flight along hedges or the skirts of woods. Like all the other short- 

 winged species, it feeds on the ground — usually under shelter of a 

 tree, bush or hedge-row, and the small heap of feathers unmis- 

 takably marks the spot where it has dined ; for, unlike the Falcons, 

 the Hawks require both feet to secure their quarry and do not seem 

 to know where its life lies, so that perching is then awkward for 

 them (Delme'-Radcliffe). In India and Japan the Sparrow-Hawk is 

 still prized by native falconers ; and in this country it has been 

 trained to take Quails, Partridges, &c. 



The adult male has the upper parts slate-blue, mottled with white 

 on the nape ; tail greyish-brown, with from three to five dark bars ; 

 cheeks and ear-coverts bright rufous ; under parts buff, barred with 

 reddish brown ; cere greenish yellow ; irides orange ; legs and feet 

 yellow; middle toe very long and slender. Length 13 in., wing 

 775 in. The female is much larger, measuring i5'4 in., wing 9 in.; 

 her breast is usually greyish white, barred with ash-brown, and there 

 is a rufous patch on the flanks ; when very old, however, she attains 

 the plumage of the adult male. The young are sepia-brown above, 

 with rufous edges to the feathers : and the under parts are white, 

 with rufous-brown bars, so broad on the throat as almost to deserve 

 the name of spots ; iris pale yellow to orange. Both sexes have 

 been known to breed in immature livery. Few birds vary so much 

 in plumage and size as the Sparrow-Hawk. 



