EASTERN GOSHAWK 135 



his coat over his head and dodging, but eventually the hawk lacer- 

 ated him quite badly on the upper part of one hand and wrist. The 

 male bird was not seen." Later on the female was shot by Mr. 

 Sykes after she had attacked him on three different days while he 

 was fishing in a nearby brook. The following account of it, sent 

 to me by Mr. Cross, was published in the Springfield Union of June 

 6, 1931.^ 



The bird caugbt tlie fisherman unawares the first time and tried to sink its 

 talons, nearly an inch long, into his face and neck. He finally beat it off after 

 it had circled and swooped at him a number of times. 



Not many days afterward, the fisherman went back to the brook again and 

 the bird gave him another battle. The third set-to was the day before yes- 

 terday. The bird this time was more persistent than ever and in one of its 

 vicious diA'es struck the fish pole and broke it in two. 



Yesterday the fisherman went to the stream with a gun. The hawk evidently 

 saw him coming and met him some distance from the brook. The Springfield 

 man who is an expert hunter as well as angler brought the bird down with 

 two shots. 



Dr. George M. Sutton (1925) who spent a whole day watching a 

 goshawk's nest "was almost constantly attacked and screamed at 

 by the female bird. For eight hours she remained at her post." He 

 continues : 



Before my companions left me I crawled into a rudely constructed blind 

 where I crouched motionless, hoping that I would not be detected by the hawks. 

 The female bird drove the departing group of men to the edge of the woods 

 and then returned, calmer for an instant or two, apparently, and then, spying 

 me without the slightest difiiculty, redoubled her fury and bore down upon 

 me with savage intent. Intrepid and insistent she swooped at me from all 

 directions and only the branches of the blind kept me from the direct blows 

 of her feet although the protecting boughs cracked and snapped at each 

 onslaught. My being alone doubtless increased her daring and she perched 

 at a distance of only twelve feet and screamed in my face, her bright eyes glar- 

 ing, and her powerful beak expectantly parted. * * * With the Sept camera 

 in hand I photographed the attacking bird, and while I tried to steel my nerve 

 to accept the blows of her feet without flinching, I found I could not. Every 

 time, when I saw her glowing eyes, partly opened bill, and loosely poised feet 

 descending upon me I ducked and raised my arms in spite of myself. Had I 

 not worn a strong cap and a cloth about my neck no doubt her talons would 

 have brought blood more than once; and it was evident that the claw of the 

 hind toe was most powerful and effective, since that nail dug in and dragged 

 as the bird passed on. * * * 



The most memorable thing about the day's experience was the method of 

 attack of the female bird, which has partly explained to me the ease with 

 which some of these birds capture their prey. When the Goshawk left her 

 perch to strike at me her set wings and slim body were for several seconds 

 almost invisible and the only actual movement perceptible was the increase 

 in the size of her body as she swiftly approached. Three times at least I was 

 looking directly at the approaching bird and did not see her at all because the 

 lines of her wings and body so completely harmonized with the surroundings, 

 and the front view was comparatively so small. 



