THE SPARROW HAWK. 77 



Description, habits, &c. 



bluish, but black towards the tip; the top of its 

 head is of a dark brown ; some few of them, 

 however, have white feathers over the eyes on 

 the back part of the head ; the wings, and upper 

 parts of the body, are brown, spotted with a yel- 

 lowish dun ; the lower parts of the body in some 

 are whitish, and in others of a russet colour. 

 The tail is pretty long, and the wings, when 

 closed, do not reach beyond its middle; the 

 thighs are very strong, but the legs are slender, 

 and of a red colour. 



The sparrow hawk, for its size, is very bold 

 and courageous, and is the dread of the tenants 

 of the farm-yard, making at times great havock 

 among the young poultry of all kinds; and com- 

 mitting its depredations in the most daring man- 

 ner, even in the presence of man. 



In a domestic state, however, it is very docile 

 and obedient; and, when properly trained, capa- 

 ble of great attachment. " I well remember one 

 that I had when a boy," says the compiler of 

 Beauties of Natural History, *' that used to ac- 

 company me through the fields, catch his game, 

 devour it at his leisure, and, after all, find, me 

 out wherever I went : nor, after the first or second 

 adventure of this kind, was I ever afraid of losing 

 him. A peasant, however, to my great mortifi- 

 cation, one da} T shot him, for having made too 

 free with some of his poultry. He was about as 

 Jarge as a wood-pigeon; and I have seen him 

 /fly at a turkey-cock, and when beaten, return to 



