2OO2 



THE DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY 



length is about thirteen inches. The female is some two and one-half inches longer 

 than the male, and differs by the general color of the upper parts (save the white 

 spot on the nape) being brown, with many of the feathers white at the base, and 

 the primaries and tail lighter than the rest; the under parts being grayish white 

 barred with brown. This species is distributed over the whole of Europe and 

 Northern Asia, and extends during the winter into the north of Africa, India, and 



SPARROW HAWK. 



(One-half natural size.) 



China. In certain parts of Germany, Switzerland, and France, some individuals 

 are found differing by their superior size and certain peculiarities in coloration. The 

 sparrow hawk is a frequenter of wooded districts, where it may always be distin- 

 guished from the kestrel when on the wing by its bold dashing flight. Its prey 

 includes the smaller mammals and birds, and while young pheasants and partridges 

 frequently fall victims to its swoop, the chickens in a farmyard are by no means 



