LAND BIRDS. . 269 



blackish bars and a narrow terminal edging of white. Bill black; cere, feet and legs yellow; 

 iris reddish brown to deep red. Length 14 to 17 inches; wing 8.85 to 9.40; tail 7.80 to 

 8.30; tarsus 2.30 to 2.60. 



Adult female: Similar to male, but duller, browner and decidedly larger. Length 

 18 to 20 inches; wing 10.10 to 11; tail 9 to 10.50; tarsus 2.60 to 2.85. 



Immature: Similar to corresponding ages of the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but of course 

 larger. Most hawks require several years for attaining fully adult pkunage and almost 

 any intermixture of young and adult plumage is possible. 



137. Goshawk. Astur atricapillus atricapillus (TFtZs.). (334) 



Synonyms: American Goshawk, Blue Hen Hawk, Blue Darter, Partridge Hawk, 

 Dove Hawk. — -Falco atricapillus, Wils., 1812. — Astur atricapillus, Bonap., 1838, Wils., 

 Nutt., and others. — Astur palumbarius, Sw. & Rich. — Astiu- palumbarius var. atricapillus, 

 B. B. & R., 1875. 



With nearly the proportions of the two preceding species, but much 

 larger than the largest, and far more heavily built. The immature bird 

 closely resembles the immature Cooper's Hawk in all but size, but . the 

 adult, with the blue-gray upper parts and finely cross-barred gray and white 

 underparts. is entirely unlike any other hawk. 



Distribution.— Northern and eastern North America, south in winter 

 to the middle states and southern Rocky Mountain region; casually west 

 to Oregon. Breeding range restricted to the Canadian fauna of the United 

 States and northward. 



A magnificent but bloodthirsty bird with a particular fondness for game- 

 birds, chickens, and doves, to which it is very destructive whenever it has 

 a fair chance. Fortunately for the farmer it is seldom seen in Michigan 

 excei^t in severe weather when his poultry are generally well housed. Under 

 such circumstances the Goshawk chases the doves, and in spite of their 

 great powers of flight not infrequently captures them. 



The great majority of specimens taken in the state are captured while 

 trying to catch poultry or doves during severe cold weather. Under 

 normal conditions the Goshawk feeds principally upon grouse and other 

 game birds, with an occasional rabbit or squirrel. Sometimes it is fairly 

 common in winter in the northern half of the state, and then several winters 

 may pass without any being observed. On the whole it must be considered 

 a decidedly uncommon species. 



A])out the middle of November, 1906, a large flight of Goshawks entered 

 Michigan from the north and overspread the entire state. In the neighbor- 

 hood of Detroit and especially in parts of western Ontario, they weie 

 particularly abundant, and a score or more of specimens were taken. One 

 was taken at Morenci, Lenawee county, November 19, and one near Benton 

 Harbor, Berrien county, about the same time. Mr. C. E. McAlvey informs 

 me that about November 25, 1906, while hunting near Manistee, he shot a 

 Partridge or Ruffed Grouse, and before he could recover it a large Goshawk 

 darted down and carried it off. At about the same time a fine specimen 

 was killed near Copemish, Manistee county, by Mr. H. A. Danville, Jr. 

 It is worthy of note that almost without exception the Goshawks of this 

 flight seem to have been fully mature birds in the blue and white plumage, 

 only a single immature bird having been taken. The entire time covered 

 by this invasion did not exceed a month, and the birds disappeared as 

 suddenly as they came. 



It probably nests in the state regularly, but in very small numl)ei's, and 

 most of bur records are far from satisfactory. Mr. A. B. Covert visited 

 a nest near Comers' Camp, Wexford county, about six miles northwest of 



