THE SPARROW-HAWK 123 



interest to the countryside ; for it is one of the 

 prettiest of sights to watch how gracefully a Kestrel 

 can hover above the earth. 



The Sparrow-Hawk is one of the boldest of 

 birds ; and is also perhaps without exception the 

 most spirited of all the Hawks that inhabit the 

 British Isles. 



I remember the time when it was possible to see 

 a Sparrow- Hawk almost any day in our north 

 Middlesex fields; but now a specimen is only 

 seen at very long intervals ; for although I am 

 constantly abroad in the open air, it is over a year 

 since I saw one of these fine birds on the wing. 



It is an interesting sight to watch the Sparrow- 

 Hawk chasing its prey. On one occasion I 

 noticed one sitting on a railway arch watching a 

 number of Larks in a field adjoining. It must 

 have been nearly half an hour before he stirred ; 

 but when he did move it was to chase a Lark that 

 had strayed from a flock of others. Like a dart 

 the Sparrow-Hawk left his perch to pursue the 

 frightened Lark, which was seen twisting and 

 turning in the air trying to dodge its pursuer. It 

 made for the nearest tree, dashing through the 

 smaller branches, and so gained on the enemy ; but 

 this was only for a moment, for the Hawk rose 

 above the tree, increased his pace, and then, with 



