THE SPARROWHAWK. By Ian Newton.

1986 1st edition. Large 8vo (159 x 240mm). Pp396. B/w photographs, illustrations by Keith Brockie, maps and charts. Green end-papers, black boards, spine titled in gilt with illustration of sparrowhawk.

"As a scientist with the Nature Conservancy Council [the author] embarked on a 14-year study of the species in two areas of SW Scotland, attempting each year to trap and ring all Sparrowhawks present and to find all of their nests." Chapters include: Background, study areas and methods; The Sparrowhawk; Nesting habitat; Nest spacing and breeding density; Ranging behaviour; Population trends; Hunting and feeding behaviour; Food; The Sparrowhawk as predator; Breeding - nine chapters; Moult; Dispersal; Territory and male fidelity; Migration; Mortality; Effects of pesticides; Conclusions.