4412 THE ZooLocist—APRIL, 1875. 
Noticing the swoop of the falcon, he rode up in time to pick up 
the weka at its last gasp; the fatal stroke had been dealt on the 
head and neck, from which a few feathers only had been displaced. 
This hawk displays much dexterity in cutting off a single bird 
from a flock, whether of pigeons, kakas or parroquets. The pursuit 
of each species seems to require the bird to call in aid some special 
method of attack; the chase after the noisy screaming kaka, so often 
turning in its laboured flight to ward off the impending stroke, 
differing from that after the silent, strong-winged pigeon, as much, 
perhaps, as either varies from the pursuit of the parroquet. Perhaps 
the quail-hawk shows nicety of calculation of the requisite force of 
its stroke, combined with the greatest neatness of execution, in 
surprising a kingfisher whilst perched on a telegraph-wire. We 
have known the newly-settled Australian magpie (Gymnorhina) 
defend. itself successfully by throwing itself on its back, striking 
out with beak and claws, and shrieking most wildly. 
Sparrow-hawk (Falco ferox)—We have the egg of this bird 
from the Paringa river, Westland. <A nest was found up the 
Ashburton Gorge, on the bare ground, sheltered by a snow-grass 
tussock ; it contained one egg partially incubated: one of the old 
birds was knocked over with a stone, and the flesh of the broken 
wing was found to be infested with parasitic worms. 
December 28.—Found young birds up the Lawrence river able 
to fly some hundred yards or so: they were most stoutly defended 
by the parent birds acting in concert: with almost ceaseless swoops 
and with noisy screams they tried to stay our intruding steps: the 
young had been fed on larks (Anthus). 
The domestic pigeon affords a fine chase for this falcon: every 
nerve and muscle is strained to the utmost in the flight, the efforts 
of the pigeon being directed to prevent the hawk from getting the 
air of it, whilst the pursuer dashes on regardless of everything but 
the quarry. Although the pigeon often saves its life for a time by 
dropping into cover, yet in the end the hawk almost always gets 
the wearied pigeon. We have known the sparrow-hawk in the 
month of June (winter) pursue its prey early in the morning by the 
light of the waning moon. We have approached close to the bird 
after a chase, and have noticed that it has a habit sometimes of 
resting on one foot, drawing up the other foot to the breast, then 
slowly stretching out the leg, like an athlete trying his muscle. 
Sometimes, when the bird just alights, or when it is perched on 
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