324 SPARROW-HAWK. 



cal range; but the only one which need be noticed is the Levant 

 Sparrow-Hawk, A. brevipes, which inhabits the area betv/een Central 

 Russia and Syria, and appears to be extending its range in a westerly 

 direction ; it may be recognized by its much shorter legs. 



Like the Gos-Hawk, this species usually builds its own nest — 

 composed of sticks with n slight lining of twigs — and invariably 

 places it in a tree, often on the branches close to the bole, or 

 at the top : sometimes, however, it adapts and adds to the 

 deserted abode of a Crow, Wood-Pigeon, or other bird. The eggs, 

 4-5 and occasionally 6 in number, are pale bluish-white, blotched, 

 mottled, and often zoned with various shades of reddish-brown : 

 average measurements i"6 by i'25 in. In this country they are 

 generally laid early in May, at intervals of two days ; and Mr. 

 Montagu Browne has recorded the case of a bird which was robbed 

 of fourteen eggs in one season and fifteen in another, after which 

 she was left unmolested. When urged by the necessities of a 

 clamorous brood the Sparrow-Hawk is even more bold and rapacious 

 than at other times, and is then especially dangerous to the young 

 of game and poultry ; but the food consists principally of small birds, 

 which it snaps up in an instant, as it glides with rapid though 

 stealtliy fliciht along hedges or the skirts of woods. Like all the other 

 short-winged sj^ecies, it feeds on the ground — usually under shelter 

 of a bush or hedgerow, and the small close heap of feathers unmis- 

 takably marks the spot where it has dined ; for, unlike the Falcons, 

 the Hawks recjuire both feet to secure their quarry, and do not seem 

 to know where its life lies, so that perching is awkward for them 

 (Delme-Radcliffe). In India and Japan it is still prized by the 

 native falconers ; and in this country it has been trained to take 

 Quails, Partridges, &c. 



The adult male has the upper parts slate-blue, mottled with white 

 on the nape ; tail greyish-brown, with fro.m three to five dark bars ; 

 cheeks and ear-coverts bright rufous ; under parts buff, barred with red- 

 dish-brown : cere greenish-yellow; irides orange ; legs and feet yellow ; 

 middle toe very long and slender. Length about 12 in. The female is 

 much larger, measuring about 1 5 in.; her breast is usually greyish-white, 

 barred with brown, and there is a rufous patch on the flanks ; when 

 very old, however, she attains the plumage of the adult male. The 

 young are brown above, with rufous edges to the feathers ; and the 

 under parts are white, with rufous-brown bars, so broad on the throat 

 as almost to deserve the name of spots ; iris pale yellow. Few birds 

 however, vary so much in plumage and in size as the Sparrow- 

 Hawk. 



