FALCOXIDjE — A CCIPITRTNJZ: HA WKS. 



661 



a young $ Goshawk ; but difference in feathering of tarsus is distinctive. Temperate N. Am. 

 at large, and southward; one of the common "chicken" Hawks, and a fellow of great audacity 

 and prowess, preying on 

 birds up to the size of Grouse 

 and di>mestic })oultry. Nest- 

 ing substantially as described 

 for velox, but the cht)ice of 



a site is more variable in ^Q^f ^-^ ^' "iJ^^BP ^S^-^ 



height and kind of tree, and 

 the structure is relatively 

 smaller ; also, the nest of 

 some other Hawk, or of a 

 Crow, is often utilized. Eggs 

 I have examined measure 

 from 1.80 X 1-45 to 2.00 X 



1.65 (figures showing tlie Fig. 452. —Beak and Ulons of ^criy^Z/er (.1. coo/jeW, nat. size). (Ad. nat. 



variation both in size and ^^^' ^" "^ 



shape), averaging al)out 1.90 X 1.50. They re.-;emble those of the Marsh Hawk so closely as 

 not to be certainly distinguishable, but are usually more globular, and with a more granulated 

 shell. The greatest diameter is at or very near the middle ; difference iu shape of the two ends 

 is rarely appreciable. All are more uniform in color than those of most Hawks, resembling the 

 pale, scarcely-marked examples occasionally laid by most kinds; none are conspicuously dark- 



marked. The ground is bluisli-wliite, faintly tinted 



witli livid or greenish-gray, rarely quite greenish ; 

 if marked, it is usually with faint, sometimes 

 almost obsolete, blotches of drab, liable to be over- 

 looked without close inspection ; but a good many 

 specimens are found with decided, though still dull 

 and sparse, spots and scrawls of ])ale brown. 

 Tinee or four eggs are the usual nest-complement, 

 but the number ranges from 2 to G ; iu the North- 

 ern and Middle States they are laid iu May, in the 

 Southern also in the latter part of April, and in 

 some localities they are found fresh in June. 

 AS'TUK. (Lat. astur, a hawk.) G<)SIIAWKS. 

 ( 'liaracters iu general as above given for Accipiter; 

 size superior, organization nK)re rtibust ; feet 

 stronger ; tarsus feathered about k way down iu 

 front and on sides, leaving only a narrow bare strip 

 lichind; scutcllatiou discontinuous at bases of toes, 

 wliich are finely reticulate ; resumed beyond ; never 

 fused. These "goose-hawks" or "star-hawks" 

 are a small genus of five or six '" ignoble" species, 

 hilil ill liigh cstiiiiatinii \\\ talcoucrs fir their jiniwess in the chase. Ours appears to be quite 

 <listin<'t trnui VA\m\H':\\\ ixihimlidriiis, tlioiigh closely related. (Siibi.'enus ..4.s7«;", A. 0. V .) 

 A. atriciipil'liis. (I.at. utriaipillus, black-Iiaired. Figs. 4.")4, 4.").").) Amf.kH'AN Gi).<!llAWK. 

 15lue Hen Hawk (adult). C'iiickkn Hawk (young). Adult <^ 9 = AI)ove, dark blnisli- 

 slate color, each feather black-shafted; top of head blackish, conspicuously diHerent from other 

 u|iper parts, the feathers tliere with Heecy white bases ; a long white superciliary or rather post- 

 ocular stripe; .•luriciilars blackish, (irouiid color of under jiarts, including lining of wings, 



Kio. 4.53. — Coopcr'.s Il.uvk. 



