to stray from the hen, the Spaerow-Hawk pounces upon it, 
and is out of sight in an instant. It mostly frequents woody 
and enclosed situations, and commits great havoc among 
game, pigeons, and poultry of all kinds. This species was 
formerly trained for hawking, and used for the taking of 
partridges and small birds. 
Bill short, strong, much hooked 5 cere, irides, and legs 
yellow I but both sexes are subject to considerable variation 
in colour, having been taken entirely white and pied. 
It is one of the most common birds of prey in the British 
islands, and it continues with us all the year. 
