619 



21 



Lord Lilford found it very abundant in winter in Epirus, Acarnania, and Corfu, a few remaining 

 to breed. 



Lindermayer says that it is found throughout the year in Northern Greece, but is much 

 commoner in the winter and spring than at other seasons of the year. It breeds commonly in 

 Northern Greece. Dr. Kruper writes to us that it is found in Greece during migration, and 

 occasionally, though rarely, remains to breed on Parnassus, Mount Taygetos, where he found a 

 pair breeding near the domain of Accipiter brevipes. Messrs. Elwes and Buckley found the 

 present species common in most parts of Turkey, and much more familiar in its habits than in 

 England. M. Alleon states that it passes through Turkey in spring and autumn, but in larger 

 numbers in the latter. It nests in the low woods around the forest of Belgrade, but is not very 

 common. Mr. Bobson, of Ortakeuy, sends us a note, as follows : — " This species is a constant 

 resident in Turkey, and is pretty plentiful, though not so common as the Kestrel; they are 

 partly migratory, most numerous in spring and autumn, when they follow the small birds on 

 their migration. Many are captured in the autumn, when they fly at the wild birds fluttering 

 on the limed twigs, and they are then easily taken by the bird-catchers. Few of them are seen 

 near the Bosphorus in summer." We have already referred to the extraordinary young birds 

 sent to us by Mr. Bobson, and recorded our belief that a species or subspecies exists in South- 

 eastern Europe, probably extending into Palestine; but the question awaits further research. 

 Strickland met with the Sparrow-Hawk near Smyrna ; and Canon Tristram gives the following 

 note respecting its distribution in Palestine : — " Very common about olive-yards and clumps of 

 wood in winter in the south, especially between Jerusalem and Jaffa. It also resorts to the 

 oases and shrubby spots near the Dead Sea ; and is plentiful about the Sea of Galilee, the town of 

 Nablous, and wherever small birds, especially the Marsh-Sparrow {Passer salicarius), are found. 

 It disappears in April, but still remains in the high grounds of Lebanon and the Anti-Lebanon." 

 Mr. E. Cavendish Taylor, in his essay on the birds of Egypt, gives the following account of the 

 species : — " In Egypt, where this bird is not persecuted as it is in England, it is comparatively 

 tame and familiar ; and I have often seen it in the city of Cairo flying about and perching on 

 the house-tops on the look-out for Sparrows or any other small birds that might come within its 

 reach. It is abundant all the way from Cairo to Assouan, especially frequenting thick groves of 

 acacia. Although generally in pairs, I did not succeed in finding a nest up to the end of March. 

 I shot some old females of unusually large size ; two that I skinned measured fully sixteen inches 

 in length each." Dr. A. Leith Adams writes : — " It seems more common in Nubia than in 

 Egypt, where it may be often observed, scouring along the narrow strips of cultivation on the 

 river's bank in quest of the Chiff-chaff, Pied Wagtail, and Bed-throated Pipit." In his new 

 work the ' Ornithology of N.-E. Africa,' Dr. von Heuglin gives the range of the Sparrow-Hawk 

 as follows : — " Frequent in Egypt during the winter, occasionally in Arabia, and along the Nile, 

 southwards to Kordofan and Sennaar." 



Beturning again to South-eastern Europe, Professor von Nordmann states that this bird is 

 " common everywhere on the steppes, especially in Imeritia, Mingrelia, Ghouriel, and other 

 provinces bordering on the Black Sea, and is resident. A few sometimes pass on into other 

 localities ; but the larger number do not quit this country even during severe cold. Those that 

 come probably from the north and migrate for the winter into warmer climates, appear near 



