26 NATURE NEAR LONDON 



remained the litter, and among it probably a quantity 

 of stray corn. There was always a flock of sparrows on 

 this litter a flock that might often be counted by the 

 hundred. As I came near the spot one day a sparrow- 

 hawk, whose approach I had not observed, and which 

 had therefore been flying low, suddenly came over the 

 hedge just by the loose straw. 



With shrill cries the sparrows instantly rushed for the 

 hedge, not two yards distant; but the hawk, dashing 

 through the crowd of them as they rose, carried away 

 a victim. It was done in the tenth of a second. He 

 came, singled his bird, and was gone like the wind, 

 before the whirr of wings had ceased on the hawthorn 

 where the flock cowered. 



Another time, but in a different direction, I saw a 

 hawk descend and either enter, or appear to enter, a 

 short much-cropped hedge, but twenty yards distant. I 

 ran to the spot ; the hawk of course made off, but there 

 was nothing in the bush save a hedge sparrow, which 

 had probably attracted him, but which he had not 

 succeeded in getting. 



Kestrels are almost common ; I have constantly seen 

 them while strolling along the road, generally two together, 

 and once three. In the latter part of the summer and 

 autumn they seem to be most numerous, hovering over 

 the recently reaped fields. Certainly there is no scarcity 

 of hawks here. Upon one occasion, on Surbiton Hill, I 

 saw a large bird of the same kind, but not sufficiently 

 near to identify. From the gliding flight, the long forked 

 tail, and large size I supposed it to be a kite. The 

 same bird was going about next day, but still farther 

 off. I cannot say that it was a kite, for unless it is a 

 usual haunt, it is not in my opinion wise to positively 

 identify a bird seen for so short a time. 



