20 EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



British Islands. The Gos-Hawk is nowhere very common, but 

 is generally, though sparingly, distributed throughout the wooded 

 districts of the whole of Europe, from the Mediterranean up to 

 the limit of forest growth. Eastward it is found, under similar 

 conditions, throughout Siberia, as well as in Turkestan, the 

 Himalayas, Mongolia, and North China. It migrates somewhat 

 in winter from its breeding-haunts to a little further south. 



The Gos-Hawk breeds during the second half of April or the 

 first half of May. It generally selects a lofty beech for the 

 situation of its nest, which is usually placed at some considerable 

 elevation from the ground, in one of the main forks. It also 

 breeds in oaks and pine-trees. The nest is sometimes an enor- 

 mous structure, and is occupied for many years in succession. 

 The Gos-Hawk builds a deeper nest than the Eagles and the 

 Buzzards, and lines it with fine twigs, roots, moss and lichens, 

 but not green leaves. 



The usual number of the eggs is four, occasionally three, and 

 sometimes five. They are very pale bluish-green, approaching 

 white, and in very rare instances show decided spots of dirty 

 blood-red. Stains are often to be seen on the eggs, which vary 

 from 2 "45 to 21 inches in length, and from T85 to 1'6 inch in 

 breadth. 



THE AMEKICAN GOS-HAWK. 



{Accipiter atricapillus.)* 



Three female birds of this American species have been pro- 

 cured in the British Islands, one in Perthshire and two in Ireland. 

 It is strictly a Nearctic species, breeding in the North American 

 States as far south as Colorado. Two races are recognised by 

 American Ornithologists. 



The nest is built in trees, or on the edge of a cliff. 



According to Captain Bendire, the number of eggs laid by this 

 Gos-Hawk varies from two to five. They are pale bluish- white 

 and unspotted. An occasional specimen shews slight traces of 

 huffish-brown markings, which are probably old blood-stains. 

 The shells of the eggs are somewhat rough to the touch, deeply 

 pitted, and granulated. They vary in shape from ovate to ellip- 

 tical ovals. 



* Astitr atricapillus — Saunders, Manual, p. 322 Sharpe, Handb., II., p. 141, 



