SPAi^R O IV-HA JVA'S. 3y 



Suh-Fauiily VI. 

 THE SPARROW-HAWKS. ACCIPITRIN/E. 



General Characteristics. — Bill short, much arched from the base to the tip, which 

 is acute, the sides compressed, and the lateral margin greatly festooned ; wings gene- 

 rally long ; tail ample ; tarsi lengthened and shielded in front ; toes of various length, 

 and generally slender ; claws long and very acute. 



These birds are found in various parts of the world, generally fre- 

 quenting valleys and wooded districts. They are very courageous : 

 their flight is low, sweeping near the ground with much rapidity. 



Fig, CO.— The 5? a-rro\\-H\\\k {Accipiter uisus). 



and they pounce upon their prey while on the wing with deadly 

 certainty. Their food consists almost exclusively of birds, such 

 as partridges and pigeons ; but sometimes they devour lizards and 

 other small animals. Their nest is built upon low trees, or in a 

 bush, and is composed of slender sticks. They lay from four to 

 six eggs. 



The type of the race is — 



The Sparrow-Hawk {Accipiter nisiis\ one of the most abundant of our 

 British hawks. It is exceedingly elegant in its form and active in its habits. 



