SPARROW-IIAWK. 
the lightships; and the master of a Yarmouth fishing-lugger told me that he observed a large female Sparrow- 
Hawk strike at a Peewit, when both eame down into the water. This occurred whde he was engaged on 
home voyage, halfway between the “ Newarp ” lightship and the “ Knoll buoy, about the middle of October. 
As the birds appeared unable to rise, the boat was headed towards them and the de.dle got ready so as to 
effect a capture. When close at hand and just in front of the net, the Hawk u tore °" r,u 8 le eewi , 
and, mounting on its back, spread her wings and succeeded in making her escape. The Plover was secured, 
and his flight-feathers being cut, he was kept on the deck of the boat, where he specdrly became reconciled to 
confinement. . T , 
It is stated that this Hawk occasionally places its nest in rocks where trees are scarce. - o one, owever, 
so located has come under my own observation. In every instance where I have examined their breeding- 
quarters they appeared to have made use of the deserted nests of some of the various members of the Crow 
tribe. I noticed both male and female employed in supplying food to their young brood. I mention this fact, 
as it has been remarked that the female in some instances receives the prey from the male and conveys it to 
the nest. The young are at first covered with a white or rather a dirty whitish down. 
The Plate shows a brood rather more than lialf-fledged. The nest had been constructed and made use of 
the previous season by a pair of Grey Crows in the bircli-wood overlooking Loch Craggie, m Sutherland. 
While engaged in procuring the above-mentioned specimens, I was somewhat surprised to notice the early 
hour at which the old birds brought food to their young. Both male and female were exceedingly wary ; and, 
having attempted in vain to obtain a shot as they came in to roost, I determined to be on the spot before 
daylight. Neither bird appeared to be in the vicinity of the nest when I cautiously made my way to the foot 
of the tree soon after two o’clock ; but before many minutes had elapsed I heard their screams in different 
parts of the wood gradually drawing closer, and before it was fairly light I had shot both birds, though not 
before one of them had managed to pay one visit to the nest and make its escape, owing to the darkness, 
beneath the trees. I discovered that two Pipits had been brought as food, though how they had been sccuied 
at that early hour docs not seem clear. The small birds could hardly, I should imagine, have been astir before 
daylight ; and it would almost appear that they must have been captured the day before and stored up for lutuic 
use. Possibly owing to our presence in the neighbourhood of the wood during the previous alternoon and 
evening, the old birds had been hindered from bringing in what food they had procured. The Meadow-Pipit 
was remarkably plentiful in the district; but I cannot call to mind having ever noticed them on the move till 
after sunrise. The Hawk tribe are particularly restless ; I have frequently heard their warning cry at all hours 
of the night when passing near their quarters. 
* The landing-net. 
