454 



British Cage Birds. 



Food and Teeatment. — The same as recommended for the 

 Kestrel Hawk. 



Eeaeing the Young. — Vide Chapter LXXXII., on the 

 " Kestrel Hawk." Follow the instructions given therein under 

 this heading. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — The female is 

 considerably larger than the male, measuring from 15in. to 

 15-Jin. in length, and weighing from 9oz. to lOoz. She is 

 darker in colour on the back and breast, and the lines or 

 streaks on the latter are more numerous and irregular than 

 those which adorn the male. 



Song. — The Sparrow Hawk, like the rest of the Falconidse 

 family, has no song ; it simply screeches in a low, ringing 

 manner, when angered or hungry. The cry it utters, which 

 it repeats loudly and rapidly, sounds something like "^Cawk," 

 or " Clawk." 



Points to be Observed in Judging. — Choose a long, slim, 

 bold, defiant-looking bird, closely and smoothly feathered, with 

 well-formed wings and tail ; a keen, penetrating, but not 

 vicious, eye ; good, graceful carriage ; a proud mien, and a 

 richly-coloured breast. It should be regular in markings, and 

 with deep, distinct wing and tail bars. Good condition and 

 cleanliness are great factors in an exhibition specimen. Hawks 

 are rarely used as show birds, as they are apt to shriek 

 when hungry, and thereby alarm their . neighbours ; and, 

 besides, they require special attention as to feeding, which 

 cannot be reasonably expected from a secretary or a show 

 attendant. They are, however, occasionally tolerated at a 

 local show, where the owner undertakes to attend personally 

 to their wants during the period that the show is open to 

 the public. 



General Eemarks. — The Sparrow Hawk can not only be 

 tamed and thoroughly domesticated, but is capable of being 

 taught to hunt birds, and return, after the chase is ended, 

 to its owner. Some Hawks display marks of affection and 

 even attachment to their attendants and to domestic animals, 

 when reared and kept in everyday companionship with them 

 from an early age. Occasionally a tamed Hawk — almost 

 invariably a female — will exhibit cowardice if attacked and 

 mobbed by a number of small birds, which is not an unusual 

 circumstance if the Hawk has chased and destroyed one of 



