68 Forest Birds. 



Raptores, or birds of prey, the female is much larger 

 and stronger than the male, and will soon demolish 

 him when they are confined to a cage. Of all the 

 Raptores the Sparrow-hawk is most conspicuous for 

 the difference in the size of the sexes, the average 

 female weighing nine ounces to the six ounces of the 

 average male, and measuring fifteen inches in length 

 to the twelve inches of the male. The difference in 

 the plumage of male and female is not so marked 

 as their size. The male is brighter and handsomer 

 than the female, but its general colouring is much 

 the same. Its upper parts are dark bluish -grey and 

 the nape of the neck has an irregular band of white 

 spots. The tail is grey, barred with brown, while the 

 under parts are dull white, beautifully marked with 

 transverse bars of reddish-brown. The irides are 

 bright orange, and the legs and feet, which are 

 very slender, are of a lemon yellow (Fig. 13). 



The wing of the Sparrow-hawk is comparatively 

 short ; and it is rounded in shape, the longest quill 

 feather being placed fourth from the end (Fig. 14). 

 In a wing of this formation there is usually an 

 interspace between each feather at its extremity, 

 through which the air escapes as the bird makes 

 a downward stroke with the wing ; and, moreover, 

 a good deal of the air, which is collecting under the 

 wing when it is forced downwards must necessarily 



