A BIRDLOVER'S YEAR 



visitor to the British Isles in autumn or 

 winter. 



The flight of these birds is slow and 

 smooth, and, except during migration, not 

 of long continuance. The rough-legged 

 buzzard is found breeding in Norway and 

 Sweden, the nest, which is made rather late 

 in the season, being generally placed on some 

 high tree, and containing three to five eggs. 



The Sparrow-hawk (Accipiter nisus) is to 

 be found breeding in most wooded districts 

 of Great Britain and Ireland. For its size 

 it is a dashing and rapacious bird, and 

 levies severe toll upon small birds and 

 mammals. Its flight is of a much bolder 

 and more dashing nature than that of the 

 kestrel, though in habits it is more of a 

 " prowler," stealthily flying through the 

 woods or else dashing out suddenly upon its 

 prey. When in pursuit of game, it has a 

 short, rapid flight, often keeping close to 

 the ground, or else sitting in wait till it spies 

 some suitable quarry. 



Sparrow-hawks are distributed all over 

 Europe and Northern Asia, extending in 

 winter-time into the north of Africa, India, 

 and China. 



147 



