360 Mr. E. C. Stuart Baker on the [Ibis, 



Accipiter virgatus virgatus. (PI. VII. figs, 7-9.) 

 The Bezra Sparrow-Hawk. 



The Soutliern Indian form of Sparrow-Hawk breeds in 

 all the hill-ranges of that part of the continent, but appears 

 to be more particularly common in the hill-tracts of 

 Travancore between 2000 and 4000 feet, nesting in the 

 immense forests of deciduous trees which are there found. 



The only field-naturalist, however, who has had any 

 success with these birds is Mr. J. Stewart, who has a 

 marvellous collection of South Indian Raptores, including 

 a wonderful series of the eggs of this Spai*row-Hawk. 



According to Mr. Stewart, the Bezra bi'eeds principally 

 in the deserted nests of other birds, repairing them to suit 

 its own taste, and lining them with green leaves and supple 

 twigs. Sometimes, however, it would appear to build a new 

 nest entirely for itself ; but, owing to the way it repairs and 

 builds on to old nests, it is often difficult to say whether or 

 not it has made use of another bird's work. 



They lay from the middle of January up to the end of 

 April, but principally in January and February. 



As with so many other southern forms of birds which 

 have closely allied subspecies in the north, the Bezra 

 Sparrow-Hawk lays fewer eggs than its representatives in 

 the Himalayas, Three seems to be the normal clutch, both 

 four and two being sometimes found*. 



In general appearance the eggs are like very clean, 

 lightly, but brightly-marked specimens of the Common 

 Sparrow-Hawk's eggs, I have seen no really heavily- 

 marked eggs, but, on the other hand, nearly white or very 

 faintly-marked eggs are comparatively common. 



They vary in length between 34*4 and 386 mm., and in 

 breadth between 27*8 and 31"4 mm,, the average of 20 eggs 

 being 36-8 x 29*7 mm, 



* In a letter just received from Mr. Stewart he informs me that he 

 has this year taken a nest of this Sparrow-Hawk containing five eggs. 

 Of these, however, two were abnormally small. 



