BUSH HAWK 161 



and striking out with beak and claw, and shrieking dismally. 

 The quail-hawk has swooped down at a lark, struck fiercely at a 

 large harrier, and ended his sudden foray, all in a few minutes, 

 with the death of a good-sized chicken. When it secures a fine 

 catch, it gorges itself to repletion. Though it plucks birds before 

 devouring them, it rends small prey, such as rats and mice, into 

 gobbets, and these are swallowed fur and all. 



"The breeding-place of this remarkable bird is usually on a 

 ledge of rock commanding a prospect over some extent of country. 

 The site is well chosen, and it gives the bird an excellent outlook, 

 and affords a very advantageous position for a creature of its 

 habits and inclinations. Bold rocks, somewhat sheltered by 

 projecting or overhanging masses, appear to be favourite sites in 

 which to rear the young. There are generally three eggs, which 

 are deposited on any decayed vegetable matter that wind or rain 

 may have collected on the rocky ledge. The efforts of this bird 

 in regard to nest-building are of a very feeble description. Some 

 eggs found were of a reddish brown colour, mottled with darker 

 shades of brown ; sometimes the ground colour is pale reddish 

 white, less suffused with the darker colour at the smaller end, 

 broadly oval in shape; they measured two inches in length, and 

 had a diameter of an inch and a half. Other eggs were of a 

 yellowish colour in place of reddish brown, while others again 

 were of dull chocolate shades, sprinkled with fine dots and 

 blotches of rich brown, most abundant at the larger end. It is 

 believed that the young birds either leave the protection of the 

 parents, or are driven off, in the beginning of autumn, when 

 they are well grown. The breeding season extends through the 

 months of October, November, and December." 



Bush-hawk. — Karewarewa or Karearea. 

 Nesierax australis. 

 The bush-hawk, or sj^arrow-hawk, lives in the mountains, where 

 the forest is low and dense. Rats, mice, lizards, poultry, ducks, 

 and young turkeys, as well as many birds of the forest, are 

 victims of its rapacious appetite. Though smaller than the 

 quail-hawk, it is swifter and more savage and resolute. 



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