ACCIPITER NISUS.
Sparrow-hawk.

Falco Nisus, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 130.
Aceipiter fringillarius, Ray, Syn., p. 18.
——— Nisus, Pall. Zoog. Ross. Asiat., tom. i, Decor
maculatus, Briss. Orn., tom. i. Darsiete
Dussumieri, Jerd. Madras Journ. of Lit. and Sci., vol. x. Ds Ae
misosimilis, Tick. Journ. Asiat. Soc. Beng., vol. ii. p. 571.
——— subtypicus, Hodgs. in Gray’s Zool. Misc, 1844, p. 81.
Nisus communis, Cuy.
Sringillarius, Kaup.
Sparvius Nisus, Bonn. et Vieill. Ency. Méth. Orn., pt. iii. p. 1262.

 

 

Ir would be interesting to know at what date the term Sparrow-hawk was applied to this bird. Craig’s
Dictionary states that Speara is the Saxon, and Sparwa the Gothie name of the Sparrow, and Hafoe 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 whilst stealthily winging his way over the fields, or sur-
prising his Fringilline 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, who 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-
eative 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 the 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 LN 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 ie same cisiuiety, still
it is sufficiently numerous for it to be characterized as common, The le: 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. Dormg the first year,
the breast is longitudinally blotched with brown, while the Heating of the back are brown, with a oa of
tawny at the tip. A similar character of plumage also distinguishes the little male at oy a a .
lengthened middle toe is a distinguishing feature of a true oe ; WE although soe as ae

the allied genus Astur have a similar style of colouring, their middle toe is much shonter, and a preponc er
a feature which clearly indicates that it is fitted for a dif-

 

ance of strength is given to the hinder one alos a
ferent mode of life, as we find to be the case; for it is upon the smaller quadrupeds and birds ne it is
destined to prey, while the Sparrow-hawk attacks almost exclusively he feathered a ce ae a
hawk is mnehy more formidable than the male, and is as destructive to Partnidges, Pigeons, and other
birds of that size as her little mate is to the Sparrow and the Greenfinch. She K also said now and then
to kill leverets, young rabbits, and other small animals. To give some ie ss eee be a
flight and stoop of the Sparrow-hawk, I shall here insent a note cn the subject, tran \
W. Oxenden Hammond, Esq., of St. Alban’s Court, near Wingham, 1n Kent. ae

“I once witnessed a circumstance wholly at variance with the eee of all falconers, ; : pice : |
true Falcons only stoop and strike their prey, while the short-winged ee oe ue j dagen
four years since I was driving towards Dover, when suddenly a Sparrow-hawk, with < ‘on’s,

: trous - a Partridge will fall to a Falcon or
Paine ‘he Lark fell as a Grouse or a Partridge wi
struck a Lark close to my horse’s head. ‘I he Lark fe ‘