8 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



[vol. X. 



We never saw it done, though we watched through some 

 tremendously heavy rain in early August until only two 

 young remained in the nest. 



Pi^. 6. SPARROW-HAWK. 



WAITING PATIENTLY FOR THE STORM 

 TO PASS. 

 (Yoini^ 21 days old and upwards). 

 (Photographed by J. H. Owen.) 



Ordinarily, after the young are a few days old, the hen 

 does not require her mate to bring food to the nest. In 

 rain, and especially in heavy rain, this is not so. She 

 takes no notice at all of his calls and he has to bring 



