CHAPTER LXXXIII. 



The Sparrow Hawk. 



Falco nisus, Lin. ; L'Ejpervier, Buf. ; Accipiter fringillarius, 



Eaii. 



Desceiption and Chaeacter. — The Sparrow Hawk is a bold, 

 adventurous bird, full of dash, pluck, and determination. 

 It is neither so handsome or lovable as its congener, the 

 Kestrel, but may be rendered equally tame and tractable by 

 frequent handling, and feeding from the fingers. 



The Sparrow Hawk differs considerably, both in size and 

 colour, according to age. The following is a description of 

 a young male nine months old : Length, 13in., of which 

 the tail measures Gin. The bill is short, stout, much hooked, 

 and of a dark inky blue colour, the upper mandible over- 

 lapping the under one, as in all the Falco tribe ; the 

 nostrils are prominent ; the iris is pale orange (termed, in 

 speaking of pigeons, Gravel-eyed "). The head is flat at the 

 top, and over each eye is a bony protuberance, evidently 

 intended to protect the eyes from the fierce glare of the sun's 

 rays, or other external injury ; above each eye is a faint 

 streak of yellowish white, extending backwards ; the forehead 

 and crown are blackish brown, and there is a white spot at 

 the back of the head. The neck, back, wings, wing coverts, 

 saddle, tail, and rump, are dusky brown, faintly pencilled 

 with golden brown round the edges of the feathers. 



The scapulars, or pinion coverings, are beautifully spotted with 

 white and buff, a bar of pale brown separating the colours ; 

 the flight feathers, twenty -two in number, are golden brown 



