SPARROW-HAWK. K)6 



The Sparrow-Hawk is another short-winged Hawk, 

 but of small comparative size, in its habits very similar to 

 the Goshawk last described, and has been aptly termed a 

 Goshawk in miniature. It has, however, been separated from 

 the Goshawk generically, on account of the tarsi and toes 

 being long and slender ; and the term Accipi'tcr, originally 

 bestowed upon it by our countryman and naturalist Ray, 

 has been restored to it. In most of the wooded districts 

 the Sparrow-Hawk is a common and well-known species ; 

 bold, active, vigilant and destructive, a dangerous enemy 

 to small quadrupeds and young birds, upon which they sub- 

 sist, and are so daring during the season in which their own 

 nestlings require to be provided with food, as frequently to 

 venture among the out-buildings of the formhouse, Avhere 

 they have been observed to fly low, skim over the poultry- 

 yard, snatch up a Chick, and get off with it in an in- 

 stant. 



In reference to the capabilities of this species for hawk- 

 ing, Sir John Sebright says, that he " once took a Partridge 

 Avitli a Sparrow-Hawk of his own breaking, ten days after 

 he had been taken wild from a wood. These Hawks must 

 be kept in high condition, and cannot fly when there is the 

 least wind : they are vipon the whole more difficult to manage 

 than stronger birds. The flight of the Sparrow-Hawk is 

 rapid for a short distance : he will take Partridges at the 

 beginning of the season, and is the best of all the Hawks for 

 Landrails." 



Mr. Selby says, in rearing the young of this species care 

 should be taken to separate them very early ; otherwise the 

 female birds, being superior in size and stronger, are sure 

 to destroy and devour the males, as he has repeatedly found, 

 if they are kept caged together. 



The Sparrow-Hawk generally takes possession of some 

 old or deserted nest in a tree, most frequently that of the 



