Historical reference: Do not rely on this information. It is very old. About this collection
Sparrow-Hawk, any bird of the Falcon genus Accipiter, with six species almost universally distributed. They are allied to, but smaller than, the Goshawk (q.v.). The Common Sparrow-Hawk (A. nisus), is about a foot long, dark-brown on the upper surface, with the under surface rusty brown barred with dark bands. The female is somewhat larger, and has the ground-tint of the under surface greyish. These birds are fairly common in Britain, though they are relentlessly persecuted by gamekeepers on account of their preying on young game birds.