Lhe Sparrow Flawk. 3 
secured, it carries it off to some naked spot, such as a 
dead arm of a tree, where it begins to feed by holding 
the bird in its claws, and tearing it to pieces with its 
bill) The Sparrow Hawk is to be found in or near 
woods in the summer-time, but in winter it is to be 
seen at farm-yards, where there is always a good 
supply of small birds. At such a place as this, I have 
seen it as if indulging itself in a choice of food, sitting 
quite still on a branch and watching its victim below : 
when it has made its selection, in the twinkling of an 
eye its wings are thrown open, and the death-warrant 
of the chosen one is certain—a swoop, a scream—all 
is over; and the Sparrow Hawk, amid the twitterings 
of the outraged flock, suddenly dashes away with its 
prey struggling in its talons. We have heard of this 
bird on several occasions being taken by surprise 
more than once; the striking of a decoy bird has put 
it ina very unpleasant position. Again, when making 
memcalo a patiridse, youns tabbit, or leveret, the 
gamekeeper has come across the spot and loosed the 
charge of his gun, subjecting it to share the fate it has 
caused many. | 
The female is larger and bolder than the male, as 
is mostly the case with predacious birds. She is a very 
1—2 
food 
