242 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



locality in Weston, until the latter part of May. It was found breeding in 

 Iowa by Mr. S. N. Marstou. Mr. Victor Brooke records in the Ibis, 1870, 

 p. 538, the occurrence, in Ireland, of an example of this species. It was shot 

 in the Galtee Mountains, in February, 1870. The bird was a mature female, 

 with the ovary somewhat enlarged. The stomach contained the remains of 

 a rabbit. 



On the Pacific coast it is comparatively rare in California, though much 

 more abundant farther north, in Oregon and in Washington Territory. Dr. 

 Cooper noticed several in the dense spruce forests of Washington Territory, 

 and regarded it as a special frequenter of dark woods, where other Hawks 

 are rarely seen. Dr. Suckley also obtained several specimens of this bird 

 both at Fort Dalles and at Fort Steilacoom. 



Sir John Richardson met with this Hawk and procured several specimens 

 in the Arctic regions, and Captain Blakiston also met with it in the valley 

 of the Saskatchewan. He states that it ranges throughout the interior from 

 Hudson's Bay to the Rocky Mountains and IMackenzie River. He found it 

 breeding on the Saskatchewan, and one of his specimens was shot on its 

 nest. The Goshawk was obtained at Sitka by Bischoff ; and a pair was taken 

 by Mr. Dall, April 24, 1867, within a few miles of ISTulato Fort, on the 

 Yukon River. The nest was on a large poplar, thirty feet above the ground, 

 and made of small sticks. No eggs had been laid, but several nearly mature 

 were found in the ovary of the female. The nest was on a small island in a 

 thick grove of poplars, a situation which this species seemed to prefer. Mr. 

 Dall adds that tliis was the most common Hawk in the valley of the Yukon, 

 where it feeds largely on the White Ptarmigan {Lagojyus albus), tearing off 

 the skin and feathers, and eating onlv the flesh. Mr. Dall received skins 

 from the Kuskoquim River, where it was said to be a resident species. 



Dr. Suckley speaks of this Hawk as bold, swift, and strong, never hesi- 

 tating to sweep into a poultry-yard, catch up a chicken, and make oiT M'ith 

 it almost in a breath. Its manner of seizing its prey was by a horizon- 

 tal approach for a short distance, elevated but a few feet from the ground, 

 a sudden downward sweep, and then, without stopping its flight, making its 

 way to a neighboring tree with the struggling victim securely fastened in 

 its talons. For strength, intrepidity, and fury, Dr. Suckley adds, it cannot 

 be surpassed. It seems to display great cunning, seizing very opportune 

 moments for its attacks. In one instance it was several days before he was 

 able to have one of these birds killed, although men were constantly on 

 the watch for it. So adroit was it in seizing opportunities to make its at- 

 tacks, that it regularly visited the poultry-yard three times a day, and yet 

 always contrived to escape unmolested. He found these birds much more 

 plentiful during some months than at other times, and attributed it to their 

 breeding in the retired recesses of the mountains, remaining there until 

 their young were well able to fly, and then all descending to the open plains, 

 where they obtain a more abundant supply of food. 



