S P A R R O W - H A W K .
ACCIPITER NISUS.
XOTWITIIST.VNOINU tlio almost universal persecution that Uu Sparrow-Hawk meets with, it is still tolerably
nuinerons from north to south. I have seen several pairs breeding in the birch-woods of Sulhcrlundshiro, and,
to the best of my recollect ion, have never passed a week in any district between that county Mid Bassei
without having met with a bird or two of this species. Wooded districts are its favourite haunts; but it
may lie noti 1 sweeping over I lie barren anil t r e e l s , Grouse-moors, dashing I • i -1 the hi I dings -nn'oii
the lone farmhouse or shooting-lodge, ami gliding with rapid Might over the fens and rush-grown inarsh-laiuls,
Falconers and naturalists freipienlly put in a plea for that still greater robber, the Peregrine ; but I never
yet remember to have seen a single line written in defence of the Sparrow-Hawk. No one w bo has had the
opportunity of becoming acquainted with its manner of living eau possibly doubt that it merits to a certain
degree the had name it has acquired; but that it will kill for the mere pleasure of slaying (which sportive
trait in the character of the Falcon can only he denied by those who are ignorant of its true habits) camml be
laid to its charge. The poor bird is simply endowed with a vigorous appetite; and when engaged in providing
for the wants of its ravenous brood, the destruction it commits is not unfrequently detected, and the contents
of its larder accurately described and commented on. Judging from my own experience, the damage ho
is able to inllict on wild game is only small compared with the loss caused by his frequent raids on the
broods that are reared iu an artificial manner and deprived of their natural protectors. Small birds, such
as Larks, Pipits, Huntings, and Pinches, form the greater part of the food of this species; but at limes it will
strike and carry off still heavier victims, awl it is probable tliat none below the weight of a half-grown
Pheasant are perfectly safe from its attacks.
That this Hawk will fly at and buffet almost any species that approaches its nesting-quarters has, I
believe, been recorded by several authors. A few months hack I was watching nn immature Marsh-Harrier
which, after searching over several of the adjacent marshes, was steadily making its nay towards its next
hunting-grounds, past a plantation where a pair of Sparrow-Hawks were rearing their young. No sooner had
it approached within the distance of about one hundred yards of the wood than it was attacked by the male.
The difference iu size between the two was particularly striking as the little Hawk gradually drove the Harrier
higher and higher in the air. Both birds were almost lost to sight (having risen in large circles, the Harrier
evidently attempting to get above his diminutive antagonist) before the chase came to an end.
The Sparrow-Hawk is occasionally niobbed by a mixed flock of smalt birds. I lately noticed one glide
down under the shelter of a hedgerow, carryiug a bright cock Yellowhammer in his talon-, pursued by a
chattering swarm, to whoso clamour ho payed not the slightest attention. I particularly remarked that,
although noisy in the extreme, they exhibited their discretion by keeping at a respectful distance, and as soon
ns the Hawk settled the whole crowd at once dispersed.
At the time of migration these birds are occasionally seen on the North Sea. I have heard of a few from