SPARROW HAWK. 353 



old birds had been observed to make sad havoc for 

 some days among the new-flown swallows and martins, 

 which, being" bnt lately out of their nests, had not ac- 

 quired those powers and command of wing that enable 

 them, when more mature, to set such enemies at de- 

 fiance." 



Young. — The young are at first covered with white 

 or light-grey down. Wlien fledged, they have the cere 

 greenish-yellow, the bill dusky-brown at the end, bluish 

 at the base, the iris light brown, the feet greenish-yel- 

 low, tinged with blue. The upper parts are reddish- 

 brown, the lower reddish-white, and marked with large 

 oblong dark brown spots ; the central part of each fea- 

 ther being of that colour. 



Progress toward 3TATUrity. — After the first moult 

 the males are still reddish-brown on the head and hind 

 neck, the central part of each feather being dark grey- 

 ish-brown ; the feathers of the back are of the latter 

 colour, with reddish-brown margins, and on the scapu- 

 lars are large white and brown spots. The lower parts 

 are reddish-white, transversely barred with yellowish- 

 red. The tail and wings are nearly as in the adult. 

 The older the bird is, the purer does the bluish-grey 

 tint of the upper parts become, the narrower and bright- 

 er the transverse bars of the lower. The females at 

 this period, besides being larger, are distinguished by 

 having the upper parts more brown, the lower more 

 white, with the markings much larger. The white on 

 the occiput is perceptible in both. 



Remarks. — One of the species most nearly allied to 



