GOSS HAWK. 237 



the scapulars. From the character of the colouring, 

 the changes which it utidergoes from the action of the 

 weather cannot be striking. 



Habits — The Goss Hawk is a constant resident in 

 Scotland, where, however, it is very rare. In England 

 it appears to be still rarer. In the Orkney islands, ac- 

 cording to Mr Low, and my friend Mr Forbes, it is 

 not unfrequently seen : but in the outer Hebrides I am 

 not certain of having observed it. In the more inland 

 parts of the middle division of Scotland, especially 

 among the Grampians of Aberdeenshire, it may now 

 and then be observed ; but the few opportunities of 

 studying its manners which have occurred to me were 

 so fleeting, that I can add nothing to its history in this 

 respect. When you are least expecting its appearance, 

 it sweeps rapidly past you, or is seen swiftly winging 

 its way over the fields or woods with a bird in its ta- 

 lons. In so far as I am acquainted with it, it resembles 

 the sparrow-hawk in its manners ; but for a detailed 

 account of these, I must refer to the works of Audubon 

 and Wilson, this species being, according to the former 

 author, more common in North America than it is with 

 us. The little that Montagu gives of its habits and 

 distribution, is repeated or confirmed by Mr Selby. 

 Although differing in its flight from the peregrine and 

 other falcons, the Goss Hawk was found equal to the 

 best of them by the falconers, and was flown at part- 

 ridges, grouse, pheasants, ducks, geese, herons, and 

 cranes, as well as hares. 



Propagation — According to M. Temminck, Mr Au- 



