ASTUK. 191 



pLama,L;ed specimens may be found without the rufous or light rusty-brown collar on the hind- 

 neck, or only a slight indication of it at the sides ; in some the head is of a lead-brown hue. 



In " Novitates Zoologica' " Dr. I'-, f-fartert refers to this species under the name of Astiiy 

 fasiintiis. As this name appears on the same page of the same volume, and is given by the same 

 authors, and there is no question of priority of date of publication, I prefer to use the better 

 known name of Astur tipproxinunis. 



Of the large number of these birds received as donations by the Trustees of the Australian 

 Museum, from diflerent parts of New South Wales, but particularly from the vicinity of Sydney, 

 the greater number ha\e been shot while raiding poultry yards, pilfering chickens which have 

 the run of tlie bush, or chasing pigeons. Stomachs examined have contained more or less 

 perfect chickens, small birds, lizards, locusts and various kinds of other insects. This liking for 

 chickens and pigeons is coniirmed by my correspondent's notes. But that it does not confine 

 itself to chickens will be seen from the following note received from Mr. J. A. Boyd, while 

 resident at Ivipple Creek, Herbert River, North-eastern Queensland, who wrote me as follows 

 under date of 23rd June, 1^97 : — '■ A young Astur appro.xinians attacked and almost killed a full 

 grown Leghorn fowl here last Wednesday; the hen is not able to walk yet, and the Goshawk 

 never will again." 



Mr. H. G. Barnard writes me from Bimbi, Duaringa, Queensland : — "Tiie following are the 

 descriptions and measurements of three nests of Aitiiv approxinians taken in iyo8. The first was 

 taken in a l>loodwood tree (Eiicalvptin corvinhosii ); the nest was composed of small dead sticks 

 and green twigs, measurement across top seventeen inches, depth eight inches, egg cavity 

 eight inches across by three inches deep, and lined thickly with leaves; height from ground 

 sixty-five feet ; the nest contained three eggs. The second was built in a large Moreton Bay 

 AsYi (Eiiidlyptiis tissi'lans I, and was composed entirely of small dead sticks and green twigs, 

 measurement across top two feet, depth one foot, egg cavity eight inches by three inches deep ; 

 height from ground fifty feet ; the clutch numbered three eggs. The third nest was built in a 

 Swamp Gum, and was an old nest of the White-fronted Heron slightly enlarged and lined with 

 leaves, measurement across top fourteen inches by five inches deep, egg cavity seven inches 

 across by two inches deep ; it was fifty-four feet from the ground, and contained three eggs. 

 The set of eggs forwarded was taken in a Blue Gum, fifty feet from the ground. This nest was 

 on an out hmb, and the eggs could only be reached by tying a spoon on the end of a ten-foot 

 stick, so I could not measure the nest. It was built by the Goshawks themselves, a rather 

 unusual thing, as they almost always reline and take possession of an old nest. The usual 

 number of eggs in a set is three, sometimes four. The breeding season is from September to 

 December. The food of this (ioshawk consists of small birds and lizards, also grasshoppers; 

 the male bird brings the female food while she is sitting, but does not assist in the duties of 

 incubation." 



From Copmanhuist, on the Upper Clarence Ki\'er, New South Wales, Mr. George Savidge 

 writes me : — "The Australian Goshawk (.hliir appro.\imans) is the commonest species of the 

 Order Accipitres inhabiting the upper portions of the Clarence River District. It is a very 

 destructive bird amongst the outback settlers, preying upon young chickens, l^c, whenever it 

 gets the chance, hence a large number are shot every year. A fairly strong pigeon can nearly 

 always elude capture from this bird ; it has nothing of the bold dash of the Black-cheeked 

 Falcon. From my observations it appears to obtain most of its food by pouncing upon young 

 birds, cV-c, and by stealing a much upon them about dusk. 1 have observed it several times 

 chasing birds just before dusk, when they were going to roost. The nest is placed in a large 

 Eucalyptus, and a stiff climb is usually necessary before it is reached. The eggs are generally 



♦ Nov. Zool., Vol. XII , p 207 (igoj). 



