32 THE AMERICAN GOSHAWK. 



west coast of America, Dall gives it as an abundant resident in 

 the Yukon region ; Drs. Cooper and Suckley, as of frequent 

 occurrence in Oregon and Wasliington Territories. In the Mis- 

 souri reeion, according- to Coues, it is rare, " tliough doubtless of 

 regular occurrence." Numerous observers eive it as rare and 

 only a winter visitant in the southern New England States. In 

 Massachusetts, Allen states, " the Goshawk is a winter visitor, and, 

 subsisting upon rabbits, partridges, jays, and such other birds and 

 poultry as fall in his way, is a bird of considerable celebrity for 

 his strength and boldness." In another paper, entitled " Notes 

 on some of the rarer Birds of Massachusetts," the same writer 

 observes — " This species varies most remarkably in the number 

 of its representatives seen in different years, and also in the same 

 season, in localities in southern New England not far apart. Some 

 winters — the only season at which it is seen in Massachusetts — it 

 is extremely rare, while the ne.xt it may be one of the most 

 numerous species of its family. In years when it is generally 

 common some of our most careful observers do not meet with it. 

 Dr. Wood writes me under date of October 22ncl 1868, that 

 with him ' it has been a very rare winter vistor until the last 

 winter, when they were more common than any of our rapacious 

 birds. I mounted five specimens and sent away several for ex- 

 changes. I think twenty were shot within a radius of five miles. 

 I have resided at East Windsor Hill twenty-one years, and have 

 known only three specimens taken here prior to 1867.' At 

 Springfield, Mass. less than twenty miles in a direct line north of 

 East Windsor Hill, and at nearly the same elevation above the 

 sea, I have known them to be quite common during several 

 winters within the last few years." Mr. C. J. Maynard is con- 

 fident that this species sometimes breeds in Massachusetts, which 

 no doubt is correct, as it is known to nest in northern New York 

 and the southern New England States. During the winter of 

 1869 it was particularly abundant in Massachusetts, and the same 

 season Mr. Samuels received a dozen or fifteen specimens from 

 near Boston. In Canada the numbers of these birds likewise vary 

 greatly in different years. During some winters I have obtained 

 large number of specimens from one or other of our markets. 



