THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
proceed to devour it on the old stump of an apple-tree, within a yard 
of the verandah, and even when I appeared outside no fear was evinced, 
and the bird only took wing when I was within a few feet of it.” 
As against Mr. Savidge’s account of its harmlessness may be noted 
Dr. Lonsdale Holden’s fear as expressed in the note from Tasmania : “I 
shot a Sparrow-Hawk out of my bedroom window at Bellevue, on the 
9th March, 1901, which was eyeing some chickens in my garden.” It 
should be noted* however, that it had not taken any chickens, nor is there 
any accusation against this bird as against the Goshawk.” 
Stone, Emu^ Vol. XII., p. 113, writing from Lake Boga, Victoria, notes: 
“ Rare. In the Charlton district, years ago, I was staying at a friend’s house, 
several of the doors of which opened on to a verandah. Chancing to open the 
dining-room door to see the time, I felt my hair disturbed by the flight 
of a bird past my head into the room, but before I had time to shut the 
door the bird flew out again. I saw it was a Sparrow-Hawk with a young 
Parrot in its talons, and closely pursued by the parent of the Parrot, 
which was so persistent in its attack that the Sparrow-Hawk sought refuge 
in another room, where it was caught : but by this time both Parrots had 
escaped.” 
Heartland, in the Rep. Horn. 8ci. Exped. Centr. Austr., pt. II., p. 54, 
1896, gives the following note ; “ Whilst camped for lunch near Deep Well 
our attention was attracted to a pair of those birds as they flew about 
overhead and occasionally pounced upon one of the numerous small birds 
near the water. As they turned in the air, the bright sun shining on their 
backs gave them a very handsome appearance, and it was not until one had 
been shot that we were satisfied as to its identity.” 
The subspecies of this bird are not well defined, but they are not in 
such a perplexing state as those of the preceding species, though the 
coloration is somewhat alike. Thus, though the scheme is exact, the shades 
do not follow in the same localities, which is a valuable item and may lead 
to the truth later. 
In my “ List ” (p. 104) I admitted two forms, thus : 
A. c. cirrocephalus. East Australia. 
A. c. broomei. West Australia ; Northern Territory. 
The latter I had previously separated from Broome Hill, South-west 
Australia, on account of its darker coloration. 
A careful study of the series available leads me to revise that view 
and to indicate three races, but more material is necessary to determine 
the limits of the races. 
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