SPARROW-HAWKS. 623 



principal food. It pursues Larks -with sucli ardour that it often 

 falls into the snares laid for these birds ; but it will never attempt 

 to get free from the trap until it has satiated its sanguinary 

 appetite. When hunting for its prey it skims over the ground and 

 bushes, carefully inspecting each. Should it perceive a victim, it 

 approaches with caution until within striking distance, when it 

 suddenly darts upon its prey with unerring precision. This bird 

 is as large as the Gyrfalcon, but, although equal in cunning and 

 address, is possessed of less courage. 



The Goshawk is difficult to tame ; its ferocious nature is not 

 subdued by captivity. In 1850, a young one four months old, kept 

 in the Botanical Garden of the Natural History Society of Savoy, 

 killed with its claws and bill a Kite the same age as itself, which 

 had been its companion for fifteen days. The young savage tore 

 its victim to pieces and fed on the carcass, although it had not the 

 least necessity for food, being perfectly well cared for. 



The Common Goshawk is also found in the North of Africa. 

 Two other species are known in North America. 



The Sparrow-hawks are distinguished from the preceding birds 

 by the slenderness of their tarsi. The Common Sparrow-hawk 

 (Fig. 296) is found all over Europe. In France it is a constant 

 resident. Although smaller, it has much the same habits as the 

 Goshawk, but is bolder, and will carry oflf Partridges, or other 

 small game, under the very hands of sportsmen or gamekeepers. 

 It will even attack and devour Fowls and chickens in the poultry- 

 yard, and so absorbed does it become in the enjoyment of its feast 

 that a person may sometimes get sufficiently near to capture it. 

 In the plains where game is abundant, Sparrow-hawks are very 

 destructive, and consequently are seldom spared when within 



gunshot. 



The Sparrow-hawk {Accipiter fringillarius of some authors) will 

 become gentle and tame in captivity. Dr. Franklin mentions an 

 instance of one of these birds, belonging to a friend of his, which 

 lived with two Pigeons. This bird had succeeded in gaining the 

 affection of all who knew it, and was, it is said, as playful as a cat. 



Africa possesses two species of Sparrow-hawk: the Dwarf 

 Sparrow-hawk {A. minullus), which does not exceed the Blackbird 

 in size. As intrepid, although not so strong, as its European 



