1839] of the Peninsula of India. $3 



Sub Family AC'CIPITER:— Hawks. 

 Genus ACCIPITER, Will.— Sparrow Hawh 



32: — A. duMunertsis, Sykes. — A. dussumerii, Temm. ? — Chiequera or 

 Sh'ihra, fi. ; the male chipJca. — Common sparrow hawk. 



Colonel Sykcs has accurately described the young state of this bird ; 

 but the adult plumage differs so much that it might be mistaken for a 

 distinct species, and I shall accordingly describe it -.—Above of a delicate 

 bluish grey colour, darkest on the head, ears greyish fawn, throat white, 

 with, in some instances,a faint longitudinal stripe; breast and belly white, 

 very numerously barred with narrow, transverse, fawn coloured marks, 

 so much so as almost to conceal the white ground. Lower belly, thighs 

 and under tail coverts pure white; a brownish red mark extends partially 

 round the upper part of the back of the neck, forming a half cellar, 

 only conspicuous however when the neck is stretched. Quills blackish. 

 Tail with 2 middle and 2 outer feathers not barred, the remaining ones 

 only on their inner webs. Cere bright yellow ; irides, deep orangeyellow r ; 

 feet buff yellow ; length of male 12^ inches; of female 14| ; of the latter 

 the wing to end of 4th quill is 8- T Vhs ; tail 4 inches beyond, from base 

 nearly 7 i tarsus about 2 ; mid. toe l- T Vhs ; tarsus with anterior scales 

 large, transverse ; posterior scales, small and numerous above, larger 

 below, and in two rows ; external lateral scales distinct and transverse ;. 

 internal lateral, indistinct,or confounded with the posterior. 



This widely spread hawk prefers a woody situation, though not in 

 general found in thick jungles. It hunts about avenues, hedge rows, 

 topes and open spaces in the jungle, often enters gardens, approaching 

 close to houses. It takes its prey by a sudden pounce, seldom attempt- 

 ing to follow. Its chief food is lizards and small or young birds. The 

 Shikra is very commonly reclaimed ; in this state it is a bird of great 

 courage, and will easily strike down partridges, crows, and even larger 

 birds, as the small hornbills (Z?. gingianus) and young half grown 

 peafowl. I am informed that at Hyderabad it has been trained to hunt 

 hares. Mr. Elliot says, " a variety without the black line on throat is 

 called meelun, and is particularly esteemed in falconry." 



I think it barely possible that the F. Dussumerii of Temm. may be iden- 

 tical with this bird ; though I see Colonel Sykcs has referred to this 

 another species, and Mr. Elliot considers it as properly belonging to the 

 next species. 



