ACCIPITER NISUS. 
Sparrow-hawk. 
Falco Sisus, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 130. 
Acciplter fringlllarlus, Ray, Syii., p. 18. 
Nisus, Pall, Zoog. Ross. Asiat., tom. i. p. 370. 
maculatus, Briss. Oim., tom. i. p. 314. 
Dussumieri, Jercl. Madras Journ. of Lit. and Sci., vol. x. p. 84. 
nisosimiUs, Tick. Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. ii. p. 571. 
— subtypicus, Hodgs. in Gray’s Zool. Misc. 1844, p. 81. 
Nisus communis, Cuv. 
fringillarius, Kaup. 
Sparmus Nisus, Bonn, et Vieill. Ency. Meth. Orn., pt. iii. p. 1262 
It would be interesting to know at what date the term Sparrow-hawk was applied to tliis bird. Craig’s 
Dictionary states that Speara is the Saxon, and Sparwa the Gothic name of the Sparrow, and Hafoc the 
Saxon for Hawk ; and hence probably the term was derived. Nine out of every ten persons apply the term 
to the Kestrel, a bird that is much more common, and totally different in colour, actions, and economy. The 
comparatively harmless Kestrel or Windhover may almost any day be seen fanning the air with its lengthened 
wings, while the round-winged dashing Sparrow-hawk is much more recluse, generally sitting in the midst of 
some leafy tree, perchance watching a flight of Starlings or a flock of Larks, on which he may steal, unperceived, 
sufficiently near to make a successful stoop ; while at other times he may be seen perched on the bare branch 
of a tree, rail, or post, whence he makes a raid upon some poor Sparrow, Yellowhammer, or Greenfinch that 
has attracted his attention ; or displaying great cunning while stealthily winging his way over the fields, or sur- 
prising his Fringllline victim by overtopping the hedge and securing the terror-stricken bird with the quick- 
ness of lightning, before it can find shelter among the foliage. How different are one and all of these 
actions from those of the Windhover, Avho poises himself aloft on quivering wings and scans the surface of 
the ground for a mouse, a great beetle, a frog, or perchance a young lark ! How varied are the actions and 
economy of the two birds ! How different are they in temper and disposition — one naturally tame and docile, 
the other morose, sulky, and spiteful, throwing forward its long legs and grasping anything within its reach 
with its sharp and powerful talons. The very eye of the Sparrow-hawk, beautifully coloured as it is, is indi- 
cative of his wicked disposition, while the soft, full black eye of the Kestrel betokens a very different nature. 
I make these comparisons to bring into stronger contrast the difference in their mode of life, and to show 
that diversities in structure are always accompanied by peculiar habits. But, to return to tbe Sparrow-hawk 
as a native of England, next to the Kestrel, the Accipiter Nisus is our commonest species of Hawk, and 
is so universally dispersed that every portion of the British Islands is alike frequented by it. That self- 
preservation should be its motto is certain ; for it has no friend to depend upon, and hence its numbers 
are pretty well kept down, more than a single pair being seldom found to breed in the same district ; still 
it is sufficiently numerous for it to be characterized as common. The female, which is nearly twice the size 
of the male, has no red colour on the breast and flanks until she has attained at least her third year : her 
back is then blue-grey, and her under surface beautifully barred with brown. During the first year, 
the breast is longitudinally blotched with brown, while the feathers of the back are brown, with a crescent ot 
tawny at the tip. A similar character of plumage also distinguishes the little male at the same age. A 
lengthened middle toe is a distinguishing feature of all true Accipiters ; for although most of the species of 
the allied genus Astur have a similar style of colouring, their middle toe is much shorter, and a preponder- 
ance of strength is given to the hinder one — a feature which clearly indicates that it is fitted for a dif- 
ferent mode of life, as we find to be the case ; for it is upon the smaller quadrupeds and birds that it is 
destined to prey, while the Sparrow-hawk attacks almost exclusively the feathered race. The female Sparrow- 
hawk is much more formidable than the male, and is as destructive to Partridges, Pigeons, and other 
birds of that size as her little mate is to the Sparrow and the Greenfinch. She is also said now and then 
to kill leverets, young rabbits, and other small animals. To give some idea of the impetuosity of the 
flight and stoop of the Sparrow-hawk, I shall here insert a note on the subject, transmitted to me by 
W. Oxenden Hammond, Esq., of St. Alban’s Court, near Wingham, in Kent. 
“ I once witnesed a circumstance wholly at variance with the creed of all falconers, who affirm that the 
true Falcons only stoop and strike their prey, while the short-winged Hawks chase and clutch. Three or 
four years since I was driving towards Dover, when suddenly a Sparrow-hawk, with a stoop like a Falcon’s, 
struck a Lark close to my horse’s head. The Lark fell as a Grouse or a Partridge will fall to a Falcon or 
