68 Forest Birds. 
Raptores, or birds of prey, the female is much larger 
and stronger than the male, and will soon demolish 
him when they are confined to a cage. Of all the 
Raptores the Sparrow-hawk is most conspicuous for 
the difference in the size of the sexes, the average 
female weighing nine ounces to the six ounces of the 
average male, and measuring fifteen inches in length 
to the twelve inches of the male. The difference in 
the plumage of male and female is not so marked 
as their size. The male is brighter and handsomer 
than the female, but its general colouring is much 
the same. Its upper parts are dark bluish-grey and 
the nape of the neck has an irregular band of white 
spots. The tail is grey, barred with brown, while the 
under parts are dull white, beautifully marked with 
transverse bars of reddish-brown. The irides are 
bright orange, and the legs and feet, which are 
very slender, are of a lemon yellow (Fig. 13). 
The wing of the Sparrow-hawk is comparatively 
short ; and it is rounded in shape, the longest quill 
feather being placed fourth from the end (Fig. 14). 
In a wing of this formation there is usually an 
interspace between each feather at its extremity, 
through which the air escapes as the bird makes 
a downward stroke with the wing; and, moreover, 
a good deal of the air, which is collecting under the 
wing when it is forced downwards must necessarily 
