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perhaps of about one- third, this contrast of size being maintained up to the time when some of the 
birds were shipped for export to England. The writer has seen numbers of both species, and has a 
series of many specimens that have been collected in the course of some years. In life, besides the 
marked difference in size and in robustness of frame, the Sparrow-Hawk (F. ferox) looks flatter about 
the head and carries the wings more prominently forward, this carriage giving the bird a less rounded 
appearance than is observable in the larger species. The smaller Falcon is more savage and resolute, 
and swifter in flight than its congener *. 
“ The Quail-Hawk exhibits great perseverance in pursuit of its prey, and almost unequalled 
audacity. I have known it pursue and strike down a large Spanish hen in a stockyard, not relin- 
quishing its hold till killed with the blow of a stick. I have also known it pursue its prey into the 
inner room of a small cottage. When Quail-shooting, years ago, I have been on different occasions 
attended by this dauntless fowler, and have shot an individual in the act of pouncing on the flying 
Quail. I have seen a female of this species bear off a Tui trussed in her talons, and carry it some 
distance without a rest, the male bird apparently keeping watch and ward, soaring within easy 
distance. I remember also seeing a Quail escape the rapid pursuit of one of these Hawks by dropping 
like a stone, at the very instant that I expected to see it trussed up in the talons of its pursuer, so 
close was the chase before the Quail adopted its last resource for escape.” 
On the breeding-habits of this species, the same observer has communicated the following parti- 
culars : — “ At present it is in the ‘ back country ’ only that we can hope to find its breeding-place, 
which is usually in a ledge of rock commanding a prospect over some extent of country. Such an 
outlook gives an advantage of no little value, of which the Falcon is not slow to avail itself, should 
such a bird as a Tui or Pigeon appear in sight. Several of the breeding-places which we have had 
opportunities of examining have presented, in a remarkable degree, very similar conditions as regards 
situation. Amongst bold rocks, on the mountain-side, somewhat sheltered by a projecting or over- 
hanging mass, appears to be its favourite site for rearing its young. The eggs very closely resemble 
those of Falco peregrinus of Europe in colour, size, and shape, are usually three in number, and are 
deposited on any decayed vegetable matter that wind or rain may have collected on the rocky ledge ; 
for the efforts of this bird in the way of nest-building are of the feeblest description.” He gives 
October, November, and December as the breeding-months ; and states that above the upper gorge of 
the Ashburton or Haketere River he discovered a nesting-place on the bare soil, sheltered by a large 
isolated rock. It contained two young Hawks covered with grey down ; and the old birds were very 
bold in defence of their offspring. 
From my brother, in Canterbury, I received a very handsome pair of eggs belonging to this 
species. Although taken from the same nest, they differ somewhat from each other, both in size and 
in the details of their colouring. One of them measures 2 inches in its longer axis, by T4 in 
diameter ; is elliptical in form ; mottled and blotched with dark brown on a lighter ground, and 
encircled at the larger end with a broad zone of very rich brown, varied with blotches of a paler or 
* “We once had the gratification of witnessing a most interesting trial of powers between a Sparrow-Hawk and the Brown 
Parrot (Nestor meridionalis). It was near the shore of that most romantic sheet of water Lake Mapourika. Standing just 
within the trees that fringe its margin, we heard the alarm-cry of the Kaka, and swiftly there came in sight, crossing a corner 
of the open space above the placid waters, two birds in active contest, the Parrot labouring heavily, wheeling and clumsily gliding 
aside, as its fierce pursuer drove at it with its talons. Then the rapid shifting of colours — now one saw the olive-brown of the 
Kaka’s hack, then the blood-red markings of its soft under-plumage, almost hidden the next instant withtho dark brown, blackish 
pinions of the Falcon. Borne downwards with the momentum of a lost stroke, the Hawk occupied some time in regaining ‘ the 
air, whilst the terror-stricken Kaka hastened at its topmost speed towards the friendly cover of the wood. Once more its 
persevering enemy darted towards it with almost incredible swiftness, but the persecuted bird seemed to tumble amongst the 
trees that ensured its safety, quite regardless of appearances, so that it reached an asylum .” — Out in the Open. 
2 F 
