63 



THE SPARROW-HAWK. 



Accipiter nisus, Linn, (sp.) 

 Falco „ „ 



Is common, at all seasons, throughout the enclosed and 

 wooded parts of Ireland.* 



In such localities, we are often attracted by this beautiful 

 creature, — with the exception of the kestrel, the most common 

 of the Ealconidse, — sweeping in silence past us, in a flight equally 

 characterized by power and elegance. Approaching silently, it 

 appears meteor-like, but for a moment, as a graceful sweep of 

 wing bears it over the fence, and its flight onward being towards 

 the ground, it is wholly lost to our sight. Its boldness is ex- 

 treme ; but this we almost forgive on account of its undaunted 

 spirit. Many instances of this trait having been made known to 

 me, the most striking shall be given, as illustrating the character 

 of the species. 



A keen-sighted friend has mentioned, what, indeed, is not un- 

 common with respect to the celerity of the flight of the sparrow- 

 hawk ; — one sweeping closely past him towards a flock of wag- 

 tails, and bearing a victim away so suddenly, that he could not 

 tell whether it was seized on the ground, or on the wing. 



As remarked by Robert Evatt, Esq., Mount Louise, county 

 of Monaghan : — 



" When the flocks of linnets, chaffinches, and other little birds 

 assemble of a winter evening to roost among the laurels and young 

 spruce round the house, and their happy noisy chatter tells us 

 what a fuss they are making about their perching-places, the 

 sparrow-hawk comes through the midst of them, from some un- 

 expected quarter, and scatters them like chaff before the wind. 

 The first intimation of his presence is often his departure, and 

 the death screech of his captive. 



" The old birds are constantly seen darting through the woods 

 after young thrushes and black -birds, then alighting on the bough 



* I have, both in Ireland and Scotland, remarked it to be comparatively scarce in 

 wild and unenclosed districts, though containing abundance of wood. 



