1J4 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



[vol. X. 



on some branch, which is not ordinarily used again for 

 the same purpose. His movements are the same as 

 those described above, and two or three times he descends 

 to the hen at a terrific pace and then shortly resumes 

 his flight. These must be courting displays. When 

 the time for treading comes, he uses the same flight and 



Fig. 5. SPARROW-HAWK. 



A one wing stretch. 



(Photographed by J. H. Owen.) 



descends with a terrific swish straight to the hen with- 

 out preliminary perching first. This is done on a branch, 

 but it may occasionally occur actually on the nest, for 

 I have seen a scuffle between the birds on the nest, but 

 not well enough to be absolutely certain. 



It is said that the Sparrow-Hawk never soars, but 

 this is not true, although soaring is unusual and rare. 

 In my experience the only true soaring is done when a 



