32 RAPTORES. ACCIPITER. SPARROW-HAWK. 



ric term of Nisus was conferred upon the group ; but, as the 

 title of Accipiter had long been given to it, and adopted also 

 by RAY and BRISSON, I have, in conformity with the rule 

 generally advocated, retained the one sanctioned by priority 

 of imposition. 



SPARROW-HAWK. 



ACCIPITER FRINGILLARIUS, Ray. 



PLATES XIII. AND XIII , 



Accipiter Fringillarius, Rail, Syn. p. 18. A. 2. Will. p. 51. t. 5 Shaw's 



Zool. 13. 30. 

 Falco Nisus, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 131. 31 Fauna Suec. No. 69 GmeL Syst 1. 



p. 280. 31. Lath. Ind. Ornith. 1. p. 44. 107 Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. 



1. p. 25. Mutter, No. 71. 



Buteo Nisus, Flem. Br. Anira. 1. 55. No. 24. 



L'Epervier, Buff. Ois. v. 1. p. 225 Id. PL Enl. 467- and 412. Temm. Man. 



d'Ornith. 1. p. 56. 2. 



Die Sperber, Bechst. Tasschenb. Deut. 1. p. 29. 

 Sparrow-Hawk, Br. Zool. 1. No. 62 Ib. fol. t. A. 10. A. 11 Arct. Zool. 



2. p. 226. N Lath. Syn. 1. p. 99, 85. Ib. Suppl. p. 26 Lewin's Br. 



Birds, 1. t. 20 Haye's Br. Birds, t. 3. WU. (Ang.) p. 86 Mont. Or- 



nith. Diet. Bewick's Br. Birds, 1. 27 Shaw's Zool. 7. 187. Low's Fau. 

 Oread, p. 38. Pult. Cat. Dorset. 



This destructive and well known species is remarkable for 

 the great difference in size between the male and female, the 

 former seldom measuring twelve inches in length, whilst the 

 latter often exceeds fifteen inches. It is one of the boldest of 

 its genus, and the female, from her superior size, is a fatal 

 enemy to partridges and other game, as well as pigeons. It 

 flies low, skimming over the ground with great swiftness,, 

 and pounces its prey upon the wing with unerring aim. The 

 force of its stroke is such as generally to kill, and sometimes 

 even to force out the entrails of its victim. 



It is common in most parts of the kingdom, but particu- 

 larly frequents the lower grounds, and well wooded inclo- 

 Nest, &c. sures. It builds in low trees, or thorn bushes, forming a 

 shallow and flat nest, composed of slender twigs, and very 



