62 THE SPARROW-HAWK. 



not but be visible to the piercing eye of a Hawk, when hoveim? 

 over it. Hence that propensity in game to cowering and squatting til? 

 they are almost trodden on; which, doubtless, was intended by Provi- 

 dence, as a mode of security, though it has long been rendered destruc 

 tive by the invention of nets and guns. 



A Hen Harrier that was shot some years ago near London, was 

 first observed dodging round the lower parts of some old trees, and 

 then seeming to strike against the trunks of them with its beak or 

 talons, but still continuing on wing. The cause of this singular 

 conduct could not even be conjectured, till after it was killed; when 

 on opening its stomach, nearly twenty small brown Lizards were 

 found there, which it had artfully seized, by coming suddenly upon 

 them. They were each bitten or torn into two or three pieces. 



These destructive birds may be caught by means of a trap, baited 

 with a stuffed Babbit's skin, and covered nicely over with moss. They 

 breed annually on the Cheviot-hills; and from a Hen Harrier and 

 Ring Tail (Falco pygargus) having been shot on the same nest, it ap- 

 pears that these are not two distinct species, however different they 

 may be in appearance, but that they are in reality the male and 

 female of the same. 



The nest of the Hen Harrier is usually formed near the ground, 

 amongst furze or in thickets. It is constructed of sticks rudely put 

 together, and is nearly flat. The eggs are about four in number, 

 without spots, and of a dirty white color. 



THE SPARROW-HAWK. 



The male Sparrow-nawk is about twelve, and the female, fifteen, 

 inches in length. The exterior feathers of the 

 upper parts of the latter are brown, with dusky 

 edges; and on the back of the head there are 

 some whitish spots. The under parts are 

 yellowish white, waved with light brown. The 

 chin is streaked with perpendicular lines of 

 brown. The tail is barred with dark brown, 

 and is white at the end. The legs are yellow, 

 and the claws black. The male is somewhat 

 different. The upper part of its breast is of a 

 dark lead-color; the bars on this part are more 

 numerous, and the under parts are altogether 

 darker. In both sexes the bill is blue, and the 

 cere yellow. 



The Sparrow-hawk is a bold bird. It is the 

 dread of the farm-yard, for, at times, it makes 

 great havoc among young poultry; and it commits its depradations 

 in the most daring manner, even in the presence of mankind. In win- 

 ter it often makes havoc among the flocks of Buntings and Finches. 



Few of the rapacious birds are so docile and obedient as this. 

 When properly trained it is capable of great attachment; and it is 

 *o far susceptible of education, that it may be taught to pursue Par- 



BPARROW HAWK. 



