SPARROWHAWK. 25 



every part of the county where there are suitable woodlands. 

 It deposits its eggs in a nest of its own construction, contrary to 

 the statements of some authorities, who aver that a deserted 

 nest is usually selected; this is very rarely the case, and indeed 

 when it happens is an exception to a very general rule. The nest 

 made by this species may be described as a rather flat structure 

 of dead twigs slightly hollowed, the upper edge having generally 

 a little down from the body of the bird adhering to it. 



In the collection of Mr. A. Clapham of Scarborough are 

 many interesting varieties of the Sparrowhawk, thirty of which 

 were obtained in Yorkshire. 



This species is becoming much scarcer, the result of the 

 family grudge cherished by the gamekeeper, who allows the young 

 to be hatched and then lying in wait secures both parents 

 without trouble, leaving the young to perish miserably in the 

 nest. 



MILVUS ICTINUS (Savigny). 

 Kite. 



A rare casual visitant. 



There can be no doubt that this fine bird formerly bred in 

 our county, but the necessarily old information on this point is 

 difficult to procure, or at least I have not been fortunate enough 

 to meet with more than one record. This is given by Mr. Thomas 

 Allis who stated (1844) that about twenty years before, one was 

 caught in a trap at Edlington Wood ; and that a pair were taken 

 from the nest by Mr. Hugh Reid of that place ; none have been 

 seen there since. It may be as well to remark that Mr. Reid 

 was admittedly a first-rate and thoroughly reliable ornithologist. 



In the Gentleman's Magazine (1747, p. 23), the Kite is 

 mentioned as a native of the country about Hatfield Chase by Mr. 

 George Stovin, under date of August 31st, 1727. 



