OF NEW ENGLAND. 359 



(a). 20-24 inches long. Above, ashy or slate, becoming 

 blackisli on the head. Tail with dark bands and a white tip. 

 Superciliary line and under parts, white ; the latter waved or 

 barred, and finely streaked, with ashy-brown or slate. 



(&). The nest is nsually built of sticks, etc., in a tall tree. 

 The eggs measure about 2'2oXl'7o of an inch, or more, and 

 are white, strongly tinged with blue or green, and sometimes 

 marked with brown. 



(c). The handsome Gos-havvks are constant residents in 

 northern New England, and also in Massachusetts, where, 

 however, they are so extremely rare in summer that I have 

 found but one nest, and have seen only two pairs. In winter, 

 they are seldom common near Boston, though their numbers 

 vary from ^ear to year. They are very spirited and de- 

 structive, feeding princii)ally upon rabbits, squirrels, pigeons, 

 grouse, and ducks. Tho3' are also very active, perching and 

 sailing comparatively little. The}' move, often at a consider- 

 able height, with a regular beating of the wings, which is re- 

 doubled, should they give chase to a flock of birds, when they 

 move with a speed unsurpassed by that of any other hawk. I 

 have seen one press into a company of Pine Grosbeaks and 

 seize one in each foot. On perceiving a single bird of tempt- 

 ing size, they sometimes secure it by diving from above, when, 

 without a moment's pause, they carry it to a perch. In the 

 woods they fly rather low, ready to drop upon their prey, but 

 so rapidly that one might imagine that their sight would be 

 blurred. I have been surprised to observe how easil}-, when 

 guiding themselves among the trees, tlie}' detect the presence 

 of a partridge or squirrel. They are not, however, capable of 

 constant activit}', and occasional!}', gracefully sailing up to 

 some perch, they watch for their prey, sometimes doing so in 

 open land. They stand with an erectness observable in other 

 hawks, and are spirited even when at rest. 



(d). For a greater part of the year they live singly and si- 

 lently, but in spring I have heard them utter loud screams. 



