ACCIPITER NISUS 117 



with five broad blackish bands, and tipped with a narrow whitish fringe ; 

 underparls greyish-white, the chin and throat slightly striped, and the rest 

 of the plumage barred with narrow blackish-brown bars ; under tail-coverts 

 white ; downy tufts on the flanks pale rufous. 



Soft parts as in the male. 



Total length 15 inches, wing 950, culmen 75, tarsus 2-25. 



The Sparrow-Hawk is not uncommon in the wooded districts of 

 Northern and Central Tunisia, where it is resident and breeds. The 

 species is, however, probably also migratory to a considerable extent 

 in the Regency, many more individuals being observable there during 

 the periods of passage than at other seasons. In South Tunisia I 

 have never met with it, but this is not surprising when we consider 

 how distinctly arboreal this species is, and that the greater part of 

 that country is destitute of trees. It may occur there occasionally 

 in winter, as a migrant, though it probably never breeds south of 

 the Atlas. 



In Algeria the Sparrow-Hawk is very common, according to Loche, 

 who, in his Catalogue of Algerian Birds, also includes the so-called 

 large race, distinguished by Becker and Meissner as Falco nisus major, 

 and by Degland as Astur major. Later travellers in Algeria, however, 

 do not seem to have found the Sparrow-Hawk at all abundant in that 

 country. 



In Marocco the species is both migratory and resident, and has 

 frequently been met with in the neighbourhood of Tangier and 

 Tetuan. I have examples of it from North Marocco, obtained in the 

 month of March. 



As already observed, the present species is distinctly arboreal, 

 being rarely found at any distance from woods and plantations, and 

 those situated in the midst of richly cultivated country, where game 

 abounds, are its most favoured resorts. Wilder districts, far removed 

 from cultivation, where bird-life is less abundant, are not so much to 

 its liking. Bold and rapacious by nature, and amazingly swift and 

 agile on the wing, the Sparrow-Hawk is the terror of all the small 

 birds in the woodlands it frequents. Though usually preying on birds 

 smaller than itself it will often attack larger birds, such as pigeons and 

 partridges, as well as young hares and rabbits. Poultry-yards are 

 frequently visited by this bold marauder, which with silent but swift 

 approach, will suddenly swoop down, and carry off a chick before its 

 mother's eyes. 



