SPARRO W-HA WKS. __ ^ 237 



variation in colour as the latter. Ranging over northern and central Europe and 

 Siberia, this buzzard is met with yearly in the British Islands, where it sometimes 

 occurs in considerable numbers, more especially in the autumn and winter. In 

 the case of such a variable bird it will be unnecessary to give any description 

 of the coloration, beyond stating that, according to Dr. Sharpe, the species is 

 specially characterised by the brown colour of the markings on the flanks and 

 thighs ; and by the ground-colour of the head, throat, and chest being white or 

 huffish white, upon which are buff streaks. In North America this species is 

 replaced by St. John's buzzard {A. sancti-johannis), distinguished by its generally 

 darker colour and the larger amount of black on the lower surface. The 

 ferruginous buzzard {A. ferrugineus) of south-western North America differs 

 by the white flanks and the chestnut fawn of the flanks. A fourth species 

 {A. strophiatus), characterised by its uniformly brown head, neck, and chest, 

 inhabits Nipal and Tibet. The habits of the rough-legged buzzards are so generally 

 similar to those of the members of the genus Buteo, that they require but brief 

 notice. The individuals of the European species visiting Britain prefer, however, 

 according to Professor Newton, open districts, more especially where rabbits are 

 abundant; those rodents together with water-fowl, constituting a large propor- 

 tion of their food. The same writer describes the flight of the bird as slow but 

 smooth, and, except during the periods of migration, not of long continuance. The 

 nest, which is made rather late in the season, is generally placed in a high tree, and 

 may contain from three to five eggs, the latter being subject to great variation in 

 form, size, and coloration. Breeding commonly in the higher parts of Norway and 

 Sweden, the rough-legged buzzard ranges as far polewards as the North Cape, 

 and at times nests in the British Islands. During the breeding-season it utters a 

 kind of wailing cry, which has been compared to the mew of a cat. America 

 possesses four other genera of buzzard-like hawks, of which only Asturina 

 possesses more than two species ; and a fifth genus ( Urospizias), with one species, 

 is confined to Australia. 



With the possible exception of some of the American forms iust 

 Sparrow-Hawks. ...... . 



alluded to, the Accipitrines hitherto described have the metatarsus 



considerably shorter than the tibia. We now come to a group of long-legged hawks 

 characterised by the great elongation of the metatarsus, which is approximately 

 or quite equal in this respect to the tibia. This group, as represented by the 

 sparrow-hawks, goshawks, and harriers, constitutes the subfamily Accipitrinw. 

 For its size, the common sparrow - hawk is one of the most dashing and 

 rapacious of all the Accipitrines, although its depredations are too frequently 

 attributed to the harmless kestrel. In common with its congeners, the sparrow- 

 hawk agrees with the great majority of the subfamily in having the sides of the 

 face completely feathered, and the lores furnished with bristles, while it resembles 

 a smaller number of genera in the absence of reticulated scales on the back of the 

 metatarsus. Sparrow-hawks may be distinguished from all their allies by the 

 great length of the third toe, which (exclusive of the claw) is more than double 

 the length of the ridge of the beak, measured from the front edge of the cere. 

 The short beak curves regularly from the base, and has a distinct festoon in the 

 upper cutting-edge, while the nostrils are oval. The wings are short, not reaching 



