80 
AN AUSTRALIAN BIRD BOOK. 
1 157*Collared Sparrow-Hawk, Accipiter cirrhocephalus, 
42 N.G., A., T. =vt. Eur. Sparrow-Hawk. 
Stat. r. timber, f., 14; m., 12 
Head, upper brownish-gray; tail barred deep-brown; ob- 
scure collar reddish-brown; throat, under, thighs 
rufous barred white; f., much larger. Mice, birds. 
In Brisbane we had the pleasure of spending an interesting after- 
noon with Mr. J. Bell, who formerly practised falconry with 
trained Australian Falcons. 
The Kestrel of Australia is almost identical with the Kestrel 
of Europe. You must have noticed with interest its habit of 
hovering. One incident of the 1909 Ornithologists' Congress 
will show that, even in the midst of a crowded city like Adelaide, 
it is possible for scientific work in ornithology to be don^. While 
the Director of Education, Mr. A. Williams, Mr. Le Souef (ex- 
Pres.. A.O.U.), Mr. A. J. Campbell (Pres., A.O.U.). Mr. Robert 
Hall (Vice-Pres., A.O.U.), and myself were walking from the 
Education Office to Grote Street School, a Kestrel was seen on the 
grass in a small square. The members of the party were aston- 
ished to see the Kestrel rise carrying a bird, possibly a Sparrow, 
in its talons. Now, the interest of this observation is that most 
of our ornithologists were prepared to state that the Kestrel is 
entirely insectivorous, and never touches small birds. However, 
an observation in the heart of Adelaide is of value in this matter 
of scientific interest. This bird, unfortunately, is generally 
