Ray's
description of that species; had a black cere, short thick legs, and a
long tail. When on the wing this species may be easily
distinguished from the common buzzard by its hawk-like
appearance, small head, wings not so blunt, and longer tail. This
specimen contained in its craw some limbs of frogs, and many grey
snails without shells. The irides of the eyes of this bird were of a
beautiful bright yellow colour.
About the tenth of July in the same summer a pair of sparrow-
hawks bred in an old crow's nest on a low beech in the same
hanger; and as their brood, which was numerous, began to grow up,
became so daring and ravenous, that they were a terror to all the
dames in the village that had chickens or ducklings under their
care. A boy climbed the tree, and found the young so fledged that
they all escaped from him: but discovered that a good house had
been kept: the larder was well-stored with provisions; for he
brought down a young blackbird, jay, and house martin, all clean
picked, and some half devoured.
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