OF SELBORNE. 18? 



each end with small red spots, and sur- 

 rounded in the middle with a broad bloody 

 zone. 



The hen-bird was shot, and answered 

 exactly to Mr. Ray^ description of that 

 species : had a black cere, short thick legs, 

 and a long tail. When on the wing this 

 species may be easily distinguished from 

 the common buzzard by its hawk-like ap- 

 pearance, small head, wings not so blunt, 

 and longer tail. This specimen contained 

 in its craw some limbs of frogs and many 

 grey snails without shells. The irides of 

 the eyes of this bird were of a beautiful 

 bright yellow colour. 



About the tenth of July in the same Sum- 

 mer a pair of sparrow-hawks bred in an old 

 crow's nest on a low beech in the same 

 hanger ; and as their brood, which was 

 numerous, began to grow up, became so 

 daring and ravenous, that they were a ter- 

 ror to all the dames in the village that had 

 chickens or ducklings under their care. A 

 boy climbed the tree, and found the young 

 so fledged that they all escaped from him ; 



