116 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



past ten 3-ears. I am unable to say whether it nests in the Regency 

 but it possibly does so, as it is apparently resident in Algeria and 

 Marocco. According to Favier the species is not only resident near 

 Tangier but is also frequently seen on passage, though rarely to be 

 met with in winter. 



The Goshawk frequents forests and wooded localities, particularly 

 those where game is plentiful. It is exceedingly rapacious, and its 

 swiftness and agility on the wing enable it to seize its prey with 

 facility. At times it will even boldly visit the neighbourhood of a 

 farm-yard and carry off poultry. It is said never to touch carrion. 



The species nests in trees, often making use of the old nest of some 

 other bird. The nest is a large structure, composed chiefly of dry 

 twigs and root-fibres, and the eggs, three or four in number, are pale 

 bluish-white, occasionally marked with rufous ; average measurements 

 GO X 46 mm. 



ACCIPITER NISUS (LionjEus) 



SPAEROW-HAWK. 



Faico nisus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 130 (1766). 



Accipiter nisus, Pall. Zoogr. Bosso-As. i, p. 370 (1811) ; Sharpe, Cat. 

 Birds Brit. Miis. i, p. 132 ; MaUterbe, Cat. Bats d'Ois. Alg. p. 6 

 (1846) ; Loche, Exjd. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 72 (1867) ; Koeiiig, J. f. O. 

 1888, p. 152 ; id. J. f. 0. 1892, p. 340. 



A. nisus punicus, Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1898, p. 429. 



DescrijHion. — Adult male, winter, from Italy. 



Above dark slate ; forehead aud eyebrows slightly rufescent ; primaries 

 blackish-brown, with darker bars ; secondaries with white spols ou each 

 side of the shafts ; tail barred with four blackish bands ; chin rufescent ; 

 cheeks and sides of the neck light chestnut ; greater part of the under 

 surface white, very closely barred with light chestnut, the sides and Hanks 

 being entirely of that colour ; under tail-coverts white. 



Iris bright golden-yellow ; hill dark slate ; cere yellowish ; feet bright 

 lemon-yellow ; claws black. 



Total length 12-50 inches, wing 8, culmen -65, tarsus 2. 



Adult female, from North Tunisia. 



Above dark slate-brown, the feathers on the nape and sides of the neck 

 showing their white bases ; a whitish streak extending over and behind the 

 eye ; primaries faintly barred with blackish bauds ; secondaries with white 

 spots on each side of the shafts, forming almost white bands ; tail barred 



