12 BRITISH BIRDS’ EGGS. 
SPARROW HAWK. 
ACCIPITER Nisus, Linn. 
Pl. IV., fig. 1, and Pl. XXXVIL., fig. 2. 
Geogr. distr.—Entire Palearctic Region, especially Europe: 
generally in Great Britain, but more commonly in wooded and 
cultivated localities. 
Food.—Beetles, Mollusca, lizards, small birds, young game and 
poultry, moles, and mice. 
Nest.—A flat and shallow structure similar to that of the Ring- 
Dove, but larger; composed of slender twigs: or a deserted crow’s 
nest lined with moss and hair. 
Position of nest.—Generally on lofty cliffs or trees, but sometimes 
on low trees, or even thorn bushes. 
Number of eggs.—4-7; rarely more than 5. 
Time of nidification.—lIV. 
In an article in the ‘ Zoologist’ for 1878, p. 347, Mr. 
C. M. Prior says of this bird, ‘‘ Almost all of the nests I 
found were undoubtedly of the Sparrow Hawk’s own make, 
one or two were in Crows’ nests, and I never found one in 
a Magpie’s. They generally preferred fir tree, especially 
Scotch, and, unlike the Kestrel, they do not like building 
in an open country; the latter appear indifferent, but 
Sparrow Hawks greatly prefer afir tree spinney. The eggs 
vary in number from four to six; the last nest I found was 
in a larch tree, and contained the latter number.” 
“The young seem to be fed in a large measure on Missel 
Thrushes ; and the latter bird, more than any other, serves 
to satisfy the hunger of the parents. They are also very 
fond of little rabbits, greenfinches, and sparrows.” 
The Sparrow Hawk is also very destructive to young 
poultry, flying low over a yard and seizing a chick almost 
before one is aware of an invader; this bird, therefore, is 
greatly detested by the farmer, who loses no opportunity of 
destroying it. 
The eggs vary considerably in the number and depth of 
colour of their markings; that figured on Plate XXXVII. is 
one of a clutch taken by Mr. Edwin Shepherd, and 
ae to me by him. I also have eggs almost wholly 
white. 
