TEE BIRDS OF SINGAPORE ISLAXD 
nested regularly and that the nest had been in use for nine t 
years. There is still a nest in the spot indicated and the birds 
seem to be there off and on all the year round, but we are not 
sure that the nest is now used for anything else than a resting: 
place or rendezvous. 
field Notes: — To distinguish this bird from one or two 
other large species of raptore that occasionally appear in 
Singapore is no easy matter but whether of the hght or dark 
phase this species always shows a big light patch under the 
wing when flying. The large bird seen flying over the gardens 
or sitting on the top of a tall tree in the jungle is usually this 
species — if not the sea- eagle. The voice is unmistakable and 
it is a noisy bird, continually uttering the shrill scream or 
whistle which is not unlike the note of the sea-eagle in tone. 
Other habits'. — Evidence seems to show that this is a 
great poultry thtcf, A Sumatran naturalist says that of all the 
birds of prey in Sumatra Spic(Fius Hj^iyifcius Is the greatest 
robber of poultry but the brahminy kite is by no means free 
of a similar charge! It also feeds on small birds, mammals, 
and lizards. This is essentially a countr>-side or woodland 
hawk — not commordy soaring in the air like the eagle, or on the 
wing so constantly as the kite, but rather it sits on trees 
w^atching for its prey. 
The nest is an untidy mass of sticks piaced high up in a 
tall tree : it contains but one egg which is greenish white, either 
immaculate or slightly marked at the larger end with rich 
brown. 
Other Birds of Prey 
Small hawks very like the European sparrow-hawk in 
appearance are fairly common in and around Singapore during 
the winter months. The most numerous species is AcctpHer 
gularh \rajawaU\ which for the sake of convenience may be 
known as the Japanese sparrow-hawk, but others also occur. 
This sparrow-hawk pursues its prey, often small birds, with 
such pnrposefulness that it occasionally dashes into buildings 
and we have captured specimens actually in the Raises Museum. 
Sometimes a sudden commotion will occur among the small 
birds of a garden. The bnlbuls join in a noisy chorus and tliere 
is generally much excitement. Usually the cause of all the 
disturbance, which dies down almost as rapidly as it started, is 
due to a sparrow-hawk passing over. 
[102] 
