BIKD3. 81 



begins to diminish from about uii inch of its extremity. This 

 sufficiently distinguishes the generous breed from that of the 

 baser race of kites, sparrow-hawks and buzzards, in which the 

 tuii is longer than the wings, and the first feather of the wing is 

 rounded at the extremity. They differ also in tlie latter having 

 the fourth feather of the wing the longest ; in the generous race 

 it is always the second. 



This generous race, which have been taken into the service of 

 man, are endowed with natural powers that the other kinds are 

 not possessed of. From the length of their wings, they are 

 swifter to pursue their game •, from a confidence in this swift- 

 ness, they are bolder to attack it ; and from an innate generosity, 

 they have an attachment to their feeder, and, consequently, a 

 docility which the baser kinds are strangers to. 



The gyr-falcon leads in this bold train. He exceeds all other 

 falcons in the largeness of his size, for he approaches nearly to 

 the magnitude of the eagle. The top of the head is flat and of 

 an ash-colour, with a strong, thick, short, and blue beak. The 

 feathers of the back and wings are marked with black spots, in 

 the shape of a heart ; he i« a courageous and fierce bird, nor 

 fears even the eagle himself; but he chiefly flies at the stork, 

 the heron, and the crane. He is mostly found in the colder re- 

 gions of the north, but loses neither his strength nor his courage 

 when brought into the milder climates. 



and Russia. In Holland it is raro. The " Falcon gentil," from its dcscrtp. 

 lion, must be referred to this species. 



The Sparrow-hawk.— This destructive and well kno-\vn species is remark- 

 able for the great difference in size between the male and female, the former 

 seldom measuring twelve inches in length, whilst the latter often exceeds 

 fifteen inches. It is one of the boldest of its genus, and the female, from 

 her superior size, is a fatal enemy to partridges and other game, as Avell as 



pig«ons. It flies low, skimming over the ground with great swiftness, and 



poimces its prey upon the wing with imerring aim. The force of its stroke 

 is such as generally to kill, and sometimes even to force out the entrails of 

 its victim. It is common in most parts of the kingdom, but particularly 

 frequents the lower grounds, and well wooded inclosures.— It builds in low 

 trees, or thorn bushes, forming a shallow and flat nest, composed of slender 

 twigs, and very similar to that of the ring dove, but rather larger It will 

 occasionally occupy the deserted nest of a crow. 



The sparrow hawk is very widely diffused, and found in all parts of En- 

 rope. In the days of Falconry it was trained, and much approved ill the 

 pureoit of partridges, quails, and many other birds. 



