56 
SPARROW-HAWK. 
PLATE XIX. 
Accipiter fringillarius, : : SHaw. SrEzsy. 
Faleo nisus, : 5 ‘ ; . Linnzus. LatHam. 
Buteo nisus, . : : 3 3 FLEMING. 
Tur Sparrow-Hawk commences its nidification in 
April: the young are hatched after an incubation of 
three weeks. 
The nest, which has frequently been the previous 
tenement of a Crow, Magpie, or other bird, is built in 
fir or other trees, or even in bushes of but moderate 
height, as also in crevices or on ledges of rocks, 
and on old ruins. It is large in size, fiat in shape, and 
composed of twigs, sometimes with, but often without 
a little lming of feathers, hair, or grass. ‘This species 
seems however to be but seldom its own architect, but 
the same nest is sometimes resorted to from year to 
year; in fact it is the opinion of Mr. Hewitson, no 
mean one, that the Falcons very rarely make a nest 
for themselves. An action of ejectment is commenced 
in person against some other tenent at its own will of 
its own property—no notice to quit having previously 
been given; and, notwithstanding this legal defect, for- 
cible possession proves to be nine points of the law, 
and “contumely” is all the satisfaction that ‘“‘patient 
merit of the unworthy takes.” 
The eggs, which are of a very ‘distingué’ appearance, 
