HAWK 4It 
the hawthorn (Cratxgus oxyacantha) forms its chief food, the Loria 
coccothraustes of Linnzeus, and the Coccothraustes vulgaris of modern 
ornithologists, one of the largest of the Fincu Family (ringillide), 
and found over nearly the whole of Kurope, in 
Africa north of the Atlas, and in Asia from 
Palestine to Japan. It was formerly thought 
to be only an autumnal or winter-visitor to 
Britain, but later experience has proved that, 
though there may very likely be an immigra- 
tion in the fall of the year, it breeds in nearly 
all the English counties to Yorkshire, and 
abundantly in those nearest to London. There 
is also good reason for supposing that it is yearly extending its 
range in the British Islands. In coloration it bears some resem- 
blance to a CHAFFINCH, but its much larger size and enormous 
beak make it easily recognizable, while on closer inspection the 
singular bill-hook form of some of its wing-feathers will be found 
to be very remarkable. Though not uncommonly frequenting 
gardens and orchards, in which as well as in woods it builds its 
nest, it is exceedingly shy in its habits, so as seldom to afford 
opportunities for observation. As the genus Coccothraustes is now 
commonly restricted, it includes only two species,—the Japanese 
form, at one time regarded as distinct, being considered by later 
authorities to be inseparable from that of the continent—but 
examples from North-Western India have been described by Dr. 
Sharpe (Proc. Zool. Soc. 1886, p. 97) as forming a second. 
HAWK (Anglo-Saxon, Hafoc), a* word of indefinite meaning, 
being often used to signify all diurnal Birds-of-Prey which are 
neither VULTURES nor EAGLES, and again more exclusively for 
those of the remainder which are not BuzzaArps, FALCONS, 
Harriers, or Kites. Even with this restriction it is compre- 
hensive enough (for the definition of these groups is uncertain), 
and will include more than a hundred species, which have been 
arrayed in genera varying in number from a dozen to above a 
score, according to the fancy of the systematizer. Speaking gener- 
ally, Hawks have been characterized by possessing comparatively 
short wings and long legs, a bill which begins to decurve directly 
from the cere (or soft bare skin that covers its base), and has the 
cutting edges of its maxilla (or upper mandible) sinuated’ but never 
notched. If the word be taken with the limitation of signifying 
only the groups to which the Gos-HAwk and Sparrow-Hawk 
with their immediate allies belong, this is true enough, and then to 
these characters may be added others, structurally perhaps of less 
HAWFINCH. 
(After Swainson.) 
1 In one form, Nisoides, which on that account has been generically separated, 
they are said to be perfectly straight. 
