20 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
of a Sparrowhawk: the Sparrow was flying across 
the pond when the hawk made a swoop at him; per- 
ceiving the hawk just in time, the Sparrow at once 
dropped close to the surface of the water: down 
came the hawk so close that his wings touched the 
water. The Sparrow, however, escaped, the hawk 
not being able, for fear I suppose of a ducking, to 
make his swoop effectual. 
We may judge of the rapacity of the Sparrowhawk 
from the following notice :—A brood of young birds 
of this species were taken and placed in a cage, and 
in two days the old hawks brought them ten birds, 
namely, two young Peewits, two young 'Thrushes, a 
Sky Lark, a Meadow Pipit, two young Chaffinches, 
a Willow Wren, and another newly-hatched squab.* 
Nobody seems to have much to say in favour of the 
Sparrowhawk, but perhaps it may occasionally do a 
little good, as mice may be added to its list of food, 
and Meyer says insects, such as cockchaffers and 
grasshoppers. 
The nest of the Sparrowhawk is generally placed 
in a tree, the deserted nest of a Crow or Magpie 
being frequently made use of. 
The plumage of the Sparrowhawk differs much, 
according to age. In the adult bird the bill is blue; 
cere greenish yellow; irides yellow; all the upper 
parts are bluish grey, except a small white band on 
* See ‘ Zoologist’ for 1865, p. 9440. 
EF PS EE DEEL 
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