AMONG THE BIRDS IN SPRING. 27 



or in dovecots. This double type of nest is 

 exceedingly interesting, and is a question still 

 unsolved by naturalists. Even the common 

 Sparrows of the house-top invite careful observa- 

 tion, and their habits, stages of plumage, and 

 economy generally are by no means perfectly 

 known or understood. 



The larger birds of prey are exceptionally 

 early breeders, but the smaller species nest later 

 when their food becomes more abundant. First 

 of the smaller Hawks to breed is the warlike 

 Sparrowhawk. He and his mate build a flat nest J]^ y . 

 for themselves, sometimes high up in the forest Apif. xst 

 trees, sometimes in the lower larches and firs. 

 The eggs are remarkably handsome, pale bluish- 

 green, spotted and blotched with rich brown and 

 gray. The Sparrowhawk's fecundity is large, and 

 it will go on laying egg after egg in the same 

 nest for weeks together. This bold warrior bird 

 plays sad havoc amongst the Willow Wrens and 

 Goldcrests, both these species being his favourite 

 food in earlv spring. A little later the Kestrel or Kestrels 



commence 



Windhover commences breeding. This interest- 

 ing little bird never makes a nest for itself, but 

 takes possession of a deserted Magpie's or Crow's 

 nest. Sometimes it lays its eggs in a hole in a 

 cliff or ruin.. The six eggs are laid on whatever 

 material may chance to be there. The hen per- 

 forms the greater part of the task of incubation, 

 the cock keeping her regularly supplied with food. 

 This pretty little Hawk may easily be recognised, 



