125 fey 
Mr. Hewitson tells us that the eggs of this species may 
sometimes be found upon the ledge of some lofty cliff, but are 
more frequently to be met with in trees, for the most part occu- 
pying the usurped nest of a Crow or Magpie. Occasionally it 
would seem to make its own nest in low trees or thorn bushes, 
a flat shallow structure, composed of slender twigs similar to 
that of the Ring Dove, but larger. “The eggs of the Sparrow 
Hawk, although usually very readily distinguished from those 
of any other species, are subject to varieties, which sometimes 
rather resemble those of the Kestrel, but are never marked with 
the same rich crimson colouring. ‘There are some specimens on 
which all the markings are very obscure and indistinct ; and 
others on which all the dark blotches of colour are at the smaller 
instead of the larger end. I know of no egg which is so subject 
to this variety. Mr. Walter’s collection contains one that is 
white, except a few black dots ; another that is pointed at the 
small end like the egg of a Wader.”’ The eggs he figures are very 
broad ovals, measuring 1-5 & 1°3, and 1°02 & 1:26, a whitish 
ground, profusely blotched and spotted, with different shades, of 
brownish red and reddish brown, very similar to well marked 
eggs of our common Kite (I. Govinda). 
Compare in regard to the breeding of this species, what Gould 
tells us of Accipiter Torquatus a nearly allied Australian form. 
“'The breeding season lasts from August to November, and the 
nest, which is rather a large structure, composed of sticks and 
lined with fibrous roots and a few leaves of the gum tree, is 
usually placed in the fork of a Swamp Oak (Casuarina) or other 
trees growing on the banks of creeks and rivers, but is occasion- 
ally to be met with in the depths of the forests. The eggs are 
generally three in number, of a bluish white, in some instances 
stained and smeared over with blotches of buff; in others, I have 
observed square-formed spots and a few hair-like streaks of deep 
brown; their medium length is one inch and six lines by one 
inch and two lines in breadth.” 
As regards the Sparrow Hawk commonly flown by native 
falconers, (whether the present or the next species I cannot say) 
Mr. R. Thompson writes as follows: 
“Though a highly prized bird by the natives for its speed 
and courage, it does not really come up to the Besra, (Accipiter 
Virgatus) even for courage ; its powers of endurance are much 
less and it is less easily reclaimed. Many birds appear regular- 
ly at Nynee Tal évery year about October. I have had several 
specimens alive, sent in to me from the interior where they have 
been caught in traps set for the Goshawk, having readily flown 
at the live Pigeon bait. Itisa delicate and difficult bird to 
