2476 Birds. 



generally when spring corn is sown, and first frequents fallow ground ; 

 and the landrail when the vegetation of hedgerows has just sprung 

 sufficiently high to hide it : the Hirundines appear when flies become 

 pretty abundant; the cuckoo when the weather becomes pleasant and 

 sunny : the sedge and reed warblers rarely visit us until the rank flags 

 and reeds are a foot high, and afford them concealment. I think that 

 the males of most species arrive some days before the females ; and all 

 birds seem to commence their cries and songs immediately on their 

 arrival. 



Osprey (Falco Haliceetus). See Zool. 553. 



Peregrine Falcon {Falco peregrinus). See Zool. 553. 



Hobby [Falco subbuteo). See Zool. 553. 



Merlin [Falco Msalon). See Zool. 644. 



Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Called the ' standing hawk,' from its 

 habit of hovering or remaining almost motionless over its object of 

 prey. 



Sparrow Hawk (Falco nisus). The late Mr. Bowman, who was 

 keeper to the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Melbourne, commuicated to 

 me the following anecdotes, which show the fierce and daring dispo- 

 sition of the sparrow hawk. He was once out shooting, when he 

 sprang a covey of partridges, out of which he killed two birds, and 

 wounded a third, which lay bleeding on the ground and still in a 

 death-flutter. A sparrow hawk, which had either sat perched on a 

 neighbouring tree or was hovering overhead, beheld the captive, and, 

 instantly descending, seized the partridge, and was bearing him away 

 in his talons, when a second gun being levelled at him he was brought 

 to the ground. On another occasion, a snipe being wounded and 

 flying with difficulty to a sedge-brake, a sparrow hawk pounced upon 

 it, and, within thirty yards of Mr. Bowman's gun, bore it away tri- 

 umphantly. A labouring man, in this parish, was taking a nest from 

 the top of a tree, and had put the eggs into his hat, which he held in 

 his hand, when the old birds came home, and, perceiving the intruder, 

 dashed at him with great fury, beat their wings about his face, and 

 made him loose the eggs, which fell to the ground. This hawk is not 

 uncommon here, but since the more strict preservation of game his 

 ranks have been thinned by the gamekeepers. 



Kite (Falco milvus). Sometimes seen sailing over our grass fields, 

 at a considerable height, and in a steady and graceful manner. 



Buzzard (Falco buteo). Occasionally trapped at Donnington Park : 

 the latest bird was killed in 1845. 



Hen Harrier (Falco cyartens). See Zool. 645. 



