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19 



the Sparrow-Hawk shows for wooded and cultivated localities, in preferring to bring up its 

 brood where it can have easy access to partridge-grounds and farm-yards. In such hunting- 

 fields it commits great devastation, and is always in such a rapacious hurry that its thefts are 

 not easily observed. A terrified scream from the poultry is all that one hears, and before a 

 minute is past the feathered rascal is devouring his chicken at a safe distance." Mr. Basil 

 Brooke writes to us : — " Sparrow-Hawks are one of the commonest species of Raptores in Ireland ; 

 and although they may not be so often observed as the Kestrel, on account of then - different 

 habits, they are, I think, in all suitable places quite as numerous, if not more so." In Norway, 

 according to Mr. R. Collett, it is found within the polar circle, and has been known to breed in 

 East Finmark. It is most abundant in the western portion of the country, both on the islands 

 and the mainland, and winters in the southern coast-regions. On the fell-sides it is found up 

 into the birch region. Nilsson states that it occurs throughout Scandinavia, from Skane up to 

 Norrland. Professor Newton, in the ' Ootheca Wolleyana,' gives some details concerning eggs in 

 the collection of Mr. Wolley, which must be introduced here, as showing the breeding-range of 

 the species: — "Two from North Finland in 1854, brought by Pekka the Lapp as Nuoli-Haukka 

 (i. e. Bolt-Hawk), with the feet of the bird, which I recognized as Sparrow-Hawk's before seeing 

 the eggs. Four, brought on 23rd June, 1857, having been found perhaps a quarter of a mile 

 (Swedish) from the village of Kangas-jarwi, East Bothnia. The nest was of spruce-twigs and 

 tree-hair, and described as being just like that of a Piekomma (Archibuteo lagojms), but much 

 less. They seem to be Sparrow-Hawk's. A beautiful nest. Five, Parka-joki, East Bothnia, 

 1857. Brought 27th June. They were in a spruce tree. Beautiful eggs, and apparently 

 Sparrow-Hawk's, being the third nest of this uncommon bird which I have received this 

 summer." Sommerfelt says that it is rare on the Varanger Fjord; but Von Wright states that 

 it is found all over Finland, being, however, most abundant in spring and autumn, a few, 

 however, wintering there. Kjserbolling records the present species as plentiful in Denmark, 

 especially in the autumn and winter. 



According to Naumann it is very common throughout Germany, where it is a resident or a 

 partial migrant. Its seasons for migrating are in September and in March. In May, June, 

 July, and August it is seldom seen, except near the vicinity of its nest, but after harvest-time it 

 begins to wander through the neighbouring fields and groves ; but the real migration commences 

 in September, and continues through the winter, though they pass more numerously in autumn 

 and spring. Dr. E. Rey observes in a letter to us : — " It does not breed near Halle, but at 

 Naumberg and on the other side of Bitterfeld, becoming more numerous towards Dessau." Count 

 Wodzicki states that it is abundant in the Carpathian Mountains ; and Seidensacher says that it is 

 common in Styria, and found there throughout the year. 



Mr. H. M. Labouchere sends us the accompanying note : — " The Sparrow-Hawk breeds in 

 all the pine woods in Holland, and in autumn it may be seen throughout the whole country. 

 In the olden times, when falconry was much practised, the female was often used to catch small 

 birds; but the male was seldom made use of, as being too small." De Selys-Longchamps 

 records it as common throughout Belgium, and sedentary. Krcener also includes it as a 

 resident in his Catalogue of the birds of Alsace and the Vosges, inhabiting the mountains and 

 descending to the plains in winter, when it is often taken in nets. MM, Degland and Gerbe 



