]48 COS AND SPARROW HAWKS. 



almost incessant motion on the wing. Its length is twenty- 

 seven inches, and the expansion of the wings about five 

 feet. It subsists principally on accidental carnage, and is 

 an insidious thief, rather than a bold robber. It prowls 

 about in quest of prey; and, when it meets with a 

 stray chicken or an unsuspecting bird, pounces upon it 

 at once. 



The kite usually builds its nest in woods, particularly 

 in mountainous countries. Lord Bacon observes, that, 

 when this bird flies high, fine dry weather may be ex- 

 pected. Formerly it was considered as valuable in medi- 

 cine, but on no just foundation. 



THE GOS-HAWK. 



This bird is larger than the common buzzard, and of a 

 more elegant conformation. The skin at the base of the 

 bill has a yellowish-green colour : over each eye is a long 

 white line, and on each side of the neck a tract of broken 

 white. The head and hind part of the neck, the back, 

 and the wings, are of a deep brown colour ; the breast and 

 belly are white, beautifully marked with transverse bands 

 of black ; the tail is long, and of a brownish-ash colour 

 marked with dusky bars. 



While falconry flourished, this species was in high 

 estimation. It builds its nest in lofty trees ; and is ex^ 

 tremely destructive to game, darting through the woods 

 on its prey with vast impetuosity ; but, if the object of its 

 pursuit eludes its first attack, it almost immediately give? 

 up the chace, 



THE SPARROW-HAWK. 



Like other birds of the hawk kind, this species varies 

 greatly in its colours ; but it is too well known to require 

 a very particular description. The male and female differ 

 considerably in size, as well as in tints : the length of the 

 former being about twelve inches, and the expansion of 

 the wings twenty-three ; while the length of the latter is 

 fifteen inches, and the expansion of the wings twenty-six. 



