SPARROW-HAWK. RAPTORES. ACCIPITER. 33 



similar to that of the Ring Dove, but rather larger. It will 

 occasionally occupy the deserted nest of a Crow. 



The eggs are from four to six in number, of a skim-milk 

 white, blotched at the larger end with reddish brown. In 

 the Orkney Islands, where it is abundant, it breeds in the 

 rocks and sea cliffs. Mr Low, in his Fauna Oread., mentions 

 a combat that he witnessed between the Sparrow-Hawk and 

 the Short-eared Owl, and which terminated in the defeat of 

 the latter. During the time these birds have young, the de- 

 predations they commit upon game, and the small feathered 

 tribe, are very great. In a nest containing five young ones, Food. 

 I found a Lapwing, two Blackbirds, a Thrush, and two 

 Green Linnets, recently killed, and partly divested of their 

 feathers. 



The Sparrow-Hawk is very widely diffused, and found in 

 all parts of Europe. 



In the days of Falconry it was trained, and much appro- 

 ved in the pursuit of partridges, quails, and many other 

 birds. 



In rearing the young of this species, care should be taken 

 to separate them very early, otherwise the female birds, being 

 superior in size, and stronger, are sure to destroy and devour 

 the males, as I have repeatedly found, when they were kept 

 caged together. 



PLATE 1 3. A female of the natural size. Bill bluish-grey, General 

 the tip black. Cere lemon-yellow. Irides gamboge- J^ np ~ 

 yellow. Crown of the head and upper parts of the Female 

 body blackish-grey, passing into clove-brown. Above the 

 eye (which is defended by a large bony projection) is 

 an indistinct line of white, which also encircles the nape 

 of the neck. Under parts white, undulated with black 

 or brownish-black bars. Quills greyish-black, the exte- 

 rior webs with darker bars. Base and margin- of the 

 inner webs barred with white. Tail clove-brown, with 

 broad brownish-black bars, the tip white. Legs and 

 VOL. r. c 



