In olden times falconers (for this species was in great demand for hawking) used to liberate adults in the spring in order to procure the young when they nested, and in this manner there is no doubt that it became established for several centuries, but it is now over a hundred years since the last English-bred nestling was obtained.
It inhabits wooded districts, and seizes its prey, which consists of both mammals and birds, on the ground.
The adult is brown on the back; the under parts are white barred with dull black. The young is brown above and buff striped with dark brown below.
Length 20 in.; wing 12 in. The female is slightly larger.
THE SPARROW-HAWK
Accipiter nisus (Linnæus)
Numerous and abundant throughout our woodland districts, it must be confessed that this species, especially when rearing its young, does undoubtedly considerable damage among the pheasant coops, and there is less to be said in favour of this bird than is the case with most of the other birds destroyed by the game-preserver.
Inhabiting woods, it is not so often seen as the wind-hovering Kestrel, nor is its flight powerful. When hunting, it flies low along a hedgerow or the outskirts of a wood, pouncing suddenly upon any hapless bird that may dart out in front of it. Birds form its principal prey, but it will also take mice, moles, or any other living thing which comes under its notice.
A substantial nest of sticks is built high up in some fir or evergreen. A former nest is often used, sometimes after a lapse of several years. The eggs are extremely handsome, being pale blue with very bold mottlings and markings of deep reddish brown. The same coppice is resorted to yearly, although one of the parents may be shot on the nest and the young destroyed.
The adult male, which is much smaller than the female, is slate blue on the upper parts, with rufous on the cheeks and ear coverts. The under parts are pale buff, barred with reddish brown, some individuals being much redder than others. The female is brown on the back and the under parts are whitish, barred with brown. The young, except in size, resemble the female, but the under parts are striped instead of barred.
This species is, however, extremely variable in colour and markings. Length of male 13 in.; wing 7·7 in. Female 15·4 in.; wing 9 in.