XXIV. 

 FALCO NISUS. (linn.) 



SpARROM'-HAM'K. 



The Sparrow-hawk breeds in rocky precipices and trees, 

 taking possession of the deserted nest of a Crow or Magpie ; 

 whether or not it occasionally builds one for itself, I cannot, 

 from my own experience, state. Mr. Selby says it does, " in 

 low trees or thorn bushes, forming a shallow and flat nest, 

 composed of slender twigs, and very similar to that of the 

 Ring Dove, but rather larger." It lays four or five eggs, 

 usually with the blotches of Figure 1 at the larger end, 

 though they are frequently reversed, being upon the smaller 

 end more often, in this species, than any I know ; this may 

 be owing to the roundness of the eggs, it being difficult in 

 some specimens to distinguish one end from the other ; the 

 spotting of Fig. 2 is less frequent. I have some, upon which 

 the markings are very faint. 



