so 



AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 



1 157*Collared Sparrow-Hawk, Accipiter cirrhocephalus, 

 42 N.G., A., T. =vt. Eur. Sparrow-Hawk. 



Stat. r. timber, f., 14; m. 

 Head, upper brownish-gray; tail barred deep-brown; ob- 

 scure collar reddish-brown; throat, under, thighs 

 rufous barred white; f., much larger. Mice, birds. 



12 



In Brisbane we had the pleasure of spending an interesting after- 

 noon with Mr. J. Bell, who formerly practised falconry with 

 trained Australian Falcons. 



The Kestrel of Australia is almost identical with the Kestrel 

 of Europe. You must have noticed with interest its habit of 

 hovering. One incident of the 1909 Ornithologists' Congress 

 will show that, even in the midst of a crowded city like Adelaide, 

 it is possible for scientific work in ornithology to be done. While 

 the Director of Education, Mr. A. Williams, Mr. Le Souef (ex- 

 Pres.. A.O.U.), Mr. A. J. Campbell (Pres., A.O.U.), Mr. Robert 

 Hall (Vice-Pres., A.O.U.), and myself were walking from the 

 Education Office to Grote Street School, a Kestrel was seen on the 

 grass in a small square. The members of the party were aston- 

 ished to see the Kestrel rise carrying a bird, possibly a Sparrow, 

 in its talons. Now, the interest of this observation is that most 

 of our ornithologists were prepared to state that the Kestrel is 

 entirely insectivorous, and never touches small birds. However, 

 an observation in the heart of Adelaide is of value in this matter 

 of scientific interest. This bird, unfortunately, is generally 



