BIRDS OF PREY 25 



quarry. While kestrels feed chiefly on mice, and have 

 developed their characteristic hovering flight in hunting for 

 them over the open field, sparrow-hawks are primarily 

 hunters of other birds, and pursue them among bushes and 

 branches. They are typical hawks of wooded and enclosed 

 country, and would be much commoner under modern condi- 

 tions if they did not excite the enmity of every gamekeeper 

 and farmer by their predatory habits, and give frequent 

 opportunity for its gratification by their characteristic hawk- 

 like habit of building their nests in daringly conspicuous 

 situations. They build for choice in conspicuous trees at the 

 edge of woods or on the flanks of open rides, and with diffi- 

 culty learn safer habits of stowing their nests in the shelter 

 of spruce firs and other evergreens. 



The nesting habits of hawks and eagles are in many 

 respects peculiar. They are more varied than the habits of 

 most other groups of birds, for while the eagles, the osprey, 

 the buzzards, and other species make large and strong if not 

 very neat or delicate nests, the harriers lay their eggs on the 

 ground, and kestrels lay them either in other birds' old nests 

 or in holes in rocks or buildings. The larger and more per- 

 manent nests of the tribe are called eyries ; but as the word 

 merely means 'eggery,' there seems no reason why it should 

 not be applied to the nests of the other species as well. If 

 an osprey builds an eyrie, it seems invidious to credit the 

 buzzard with a mere nest. The more solid eyries may last 

 for many years ; and several species have a curious habit of 

 having two or three in rotation. If their nesting goes 

 favourably, eagles and buzzards may use only one of 

 their homes each season ; but it often happens that they are 

 disturbed, and temporarily forsake the nest in which they 

 intended to bring up their young, making their next attempt 

 for the year in one of their other residences. They visit the 



O.K3) 4 



