PLATE LII. 
The Larger kind of Sparrow-Hawk. 
T 
A HE bird this was drawn from, meafured fifteen Inches from the bill to the tip of the tail, and 
twelve Inches acrofs the bread, but is reduced for the conveniency of the work. He is not fo much 
addiaed to the deftruaion of fmall birds as are others of the Hawk kind, but will frequently feed 
on mice, watching for them with great afliduity in the open fields, hovering for a confiderable 
time over the fpot where he expeas his prey, he moves only his wings, the tail being dropt till he 
perceives the moufe whom he darts at with great velocity, and having leized retires to fome diftant 
tree to enjoy his repaft at leifure. Thefe birds are not fo fwift in their flight as are thefmaller 
Hawks, but are far more numerous. They build in lofty trees, in woods and forefls, lay five eggs, 
almoft round, and are frequently kept in gardens to frighten fmall birds from the fruit— the young 
ones differ very little in colour from the old, being marked nearly the fame, but not quite fo bril- 
liant in colour, and are often met with in the London markets : they may be fed on any kind of raw 
meat, are a hardy bird, and will live many years. 
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