14 THE BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



spruce, in thick ivy on old buildings, and occasionally in the 

 sea-cliffs and chalk-pits, of -which latter, did I not deem it 

 unadvisable, I could point out several which have been 

 frequented by these birds for many years in succession. 



It is one of the boldest of our Hawks, and flies at game as 

 large as Partridges; and I was told by a gamekeeper, not 

 long since, that he was surprised a few days before by seeing 

 one make a dash at an old cock Pheasant sitting on a rail. 

 All keepers look upon it as their most dangerous enemy. 

 Its favourite object of pursuit, however, appears to be the 

 Wood- Pigeon. 



I had, in February 1844, a male Sparrow-Hawk which had 

 been caught in a barn, into which it had pursued a small 

 bird, while two men were there thrashing corn. 



It has not unfrequently been known to strike at a caged 

 bird at a window, and I have twice heard of its dashing 

 through the glass with the same object. ThislHawk, like 

 several others, is occasionally taken in the clap-net. 



In my own district, which is not far from St. Leonard's 

 forest, and is generally well-wooded, this bird may be, even 

 now, called more common than the Kestrel, though both are 

 far less abundant than they were in the olden time. 



KITE. 



Milvus ictinus. 



I HAVE only once seen this bird at large in this county, 

 namely, at Eastbourne, on March 22nd, 1881. When walking 

 westward I saw a bird flying towards me in a very leisurely 

 manner, only just above the surf. I was standing on the 

 sea-wall, and when it came opposite to me it rose to about 

 30 feet above the water, and passed me so closely that I could 



