20 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



of a Sparrowhawk : the Sparrow was flying across 

 the pond when the hawk made a swoop at him ; per- 

 ceiving the hawk just in time, the Sparrow at once 

 dropped close to the surface of the water : down 

 came the hawk so close that his wings touched the 

 water. The Sparrow, however, escaped, the hawk 

 not being able, for fear I suppose of a ducking, to 

 make his swoop effectual. 



We may judge of the rapacity of the Sparrowhawk 

 from the following notice : A brood of young birds 

 of this species were taken and placed in a cage, and 

 in two days the old hawks brought them ten birds, 

 namely, two young Peewits, two young Thrushes, a 

 Sky Lark, a Meadow Pipit, two young Chaffinches, 

 a Willow Wren, and another newly-hatched squab.* 

 Nobody seems to have much to say in favour of the 

 Sparrowhawk, but perhaps it may occasionally do a 

 little good, as mice may be added to its list of food, 

 and Meyer says insects, such as cockchaffers and 

 grasshoppers. 



The nest of the Sparrowhawk is generally placed 

 in a tree, the deserted nest of a Crow or Magpie 

 being frequentty made use of. 



The plumage of the Sparrowhawk differs much, 

 according to age. In the adult bird the bill is blue ; 

 cere greenish yellow; irides yellow; all the upper 

 parts are bluish grey, except a small white band on 



* See * Zoologist ' for 1865, p. 9440. 



