206 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
PLATE XXIX 
DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY 
1. Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides Vigors and Horsfield 
FaT-co — L., falco , falcon : cen-chrot -dies — Gk, cenchris, speckled hawk ; 
- oides , from Gk, eidos, form = like. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, and Tasmania; accidental to New 
Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Windhover, Mosquito-hawk, and Sparrow-hawk. 
Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting open and lightly timbered country. 
It is a common and useful species, being numerous in cultivated areas, 
where it does valuable service in helping to keep in check many pests. It 
is generally observed skimming about or hovering over paddocks, crops, 
and grass-lands, every now and again darting down to capture its prey. It 
has a peculiar chattering call which is often uttered in an apparently 
excited manner. Food : grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects, small 
reptiles, rodents, and the young of ground-breeding birds. 
Nest. — In a hollow limb of a tree or crevice in a rock; sometimes a 
deserted nest of a Crow or Raven is used. 
Eggs. — Four or five, buff, covered with reddish-brown markings, 
which in some eggs are very pale in colour. Breeding-season : August to 
November or December. 
2. Collared Sparrow-hawk Accipiter cirrocephalus Vieillot 
Ac-cip’-it-er — L., accipiter, hawk: cir-ro-cepK-al-us — Gk, cirros, tawny; 
Gk, cephale, head. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, and Tasmania; also occurs in New 
Guinea. 
Notes. — Also called Sparrow-hawk and Chicken-hawk. Usually 
singly or in pairs, frequenting open and lightly timbered country. It is 
generally observed skimming above the surface of the ground or in and 
about timbered areas. During flight it is remarkably quick in its move- 
ments, and fearless when in pursuit of its prey. Its food consists almost 
entirely of small birds. The female is considerably larger than the male. 
Nest. — A platform composed of thin twigs, either dead or green, and 
lined with leaves. Generally placed on a thin forked limb of a tall tree. 
Occasionally a deserted nest of a Whistling Eagle is used. 
Eggs. — Two to four, dull white or bluish-white, sometimes spotted or 
blotched with reddish-brown or lavender markings. Breeding-season: 
September to December (east); July (west). 
