408 COS-HAWK; SPARROW-HAWK; KIT^S. 



woods, glens, and ravines. It was consequently flown at Birds 

 that chiefly inhabit the grouftd, such as Pheasants, Land-rails, 

 Pigeons, &c., and also at Hares ; and for this purpose it is still 

 occasionally employed. If the prey pursued by it should con- 

 ceal itself, the Gos-Hawk waits in patience on some perch com- 

 manding a view of the spot, until the game flics away ; in this 

 manner it has been known to watch a Pheasant for more than 

 fourteen hours. The Gos-Hawk is now rare in the British 

 islands, being chiefly restricted to the Scottish Highlands ; but it 

 is more abundant in the forest districts of Continental Europe 

 and extends also through the temperate regions of Asia and 

 America. The Sparrow-Hawk, though much smaller (the 

 female being only 15 inches in length), is much more daring in 

 its character ; and is well known as one of the terrors of the 

 English farm-yard, being very destructive to pigeons and poul- 

 try, as also to partridges. No Hawk is more pertinacious in pur- 

 suit of its prey than this ; for it has been known to follow its 

 terrified victim through open windows, into rooms, barns, and 

 churches, undeterred by the presence of Man. This Hawk 

 builds in trees and thorn-bushes, making a shallow flat nest of 

 twigs ; occasionally it occupies the deserted nest of a Crow ; and 

 in the Orkneys it breeds on the rocks and sea-cliffs. 



372. The Kites are much inferior in the strength of their 

 bills and talons ; but their wings are very long in proportion to 

 their size ; and their tail is forked. They are remarkable for the 



ease, grace, and buoyancy of 

 their flight ; and for their 

 power of remaining for a long 

 time almost motionless upon 

 the wing. They sweep through 

 the air in wide circles, sailing 

 on outspread wings, and using 

 the tail as a rudder ; and they 

 often mount to such a height, 



PIO. 213. KITE. 



as to become nearly invisible. 



Their great elevation serves, as in the Eagles, to give them a wide 

 range, over which they cast their eyes in search of their prey; 



