CHAPTER XI 



Concerning a Sparrow Hawk Family 



ONE has only to see a Sparrow Hawk at really close quarters to know, 

 by its expression, the shape and size of its feet and talons, and the 

 threatening way in which it fixes its cold yellow eyes on to anything in 

 the way of food, that it is a bird of indomitable spirit — a creature of wild 

 impulse and inexorable purpose. 



There is, to me, something particularly dramatic about the pose of a 

 Sparrow Hawk when out for blood — particularly a female— as hunching her 

 shoulders she glares around with slow moving head and eyes that hterally 

 squint with eager expectancy. 



And with such lightning speed does she — as it were — ' dive ' after any 

 unsuspecting quarry, and snatch at it with her needle-sharp talons, that the 

 business of securing the victim is finished and done with before the amazed 

 onlooker has clearly realized what is taking place. 



But should this first impulsive dash prove unsuccessful, the Sparrow Hawk 

 does not, like the Merlin, persevere in the hunt with the idea of wearing down 

 the quarry ; but swings away either to take perch upon some convenient 

 bough or leisurely to continue her flight. Should she adopt the latter alterna- 

 tive, she keeps to within a few feet of the ground, swerving just sufficiently to 

 avoid any obstacles that she may encounter, or sxirmounting them with the 

 careless ease that is typical of the short-winged hawks : though it is a bad day 

 for the blackbird or thrush, intent on turning over the leaves in search of food, 

 who is thus surprised by the dreaded form. 



Owing to this habit of gliding over the groimd, and pouncing upon some 

 victim, the Sparrow Hawk is quite frequently caught in the nets of bird catchers, 

 as she makes for one of the decoy birds. It is, of course, the aim of the man at 

 the end of the line to close the net at the exact moment that the hawk strikes, 

 and thus prevent further visits of a Hke nature. But he who can thus catch a 

 Sparrow Hawk in the act of striking at its quarry must indeed be an expert, 

 for the speed with which a Sparrow Hawk dashes at its quarry must really be 

 seen to be understood. 



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