BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 383 



centre, which is simply a slight hollow on a large 

 platform. Many naturalists assert that the bird 

 often utilises the old nest of a Magpie or Crow ; 

 but Mr. Dixon says that the nest is always made 

 by the birds themselves. I have examined a great 

 number of nests in widely different parts of the 

 country, and in nearly every instance I am able to 

 endorse what he says. Besides, I have actually 

 photographed a bird of this species in the act of 

 adding sticks to her nest, which is proof of her 

 capacity for nest building. 



Eggs. Four to six, generally five ; ground- 

 colour white, tinged with blue or bluish-green, 

 clouded, blotched, and spotted with pale brown and 

 dark rich brown. The markings generally form 

 a zone round the larger end of the egg ; sometimes 

 the ground-colour is almost entirely hidden, and 

 at others nearly, if not quite, all exposed. Size 

 about 1.65 by 1.3 in. (See Plate VI.) 



Time. April, May, and June. 



Remarks. -- Resident. Note: alarm, a harsh 

 scream. Local or other name : Pigeon Hawk. 

 A close sitter. 



YOUNG SPARROW-HAWKS IN NEST 



