GOSHAWK. 



43 



Table showing the results of examinations of 133 stomachs of Coopei^s Haivk 

 (Accijnter cooperi) — Continued. 



Summary. — Of 133 stomachs examined, 34 contained poultry or game liird.s; 52, other birds; 11, mam- 

 mals; 1, frog; 3, lizards; 2, insects; and 39 were empty. 



GOSHAWK. 



Accipiter atricapillus. 



[Plate 6— Adult.] 



The Gosliawk is more northerly iu its distribution than the two pre- 

 ceding species of the geuns and is separable into two geographical 

 races. The typical form {atricapillus) inhabits northern and eastern 

 I^orth America west to the Rocky Mountains and eastern Washington 

 and Oregon; breeding in the east chiefly north of the United States 

 and in the Rocky Mountains as far south as Colorado. The west coast 

 race {striatulm) inhabits the Pacific coast north to Sitka, and breeds 

 as far south, in the Sierra Nevada, as latitude 30°. The writer has 

 seen a specimen from Labrador which to all appearances was iden- 

 tical with those, from the west coast. In autumn and winter it wanders 

 south casually to Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, and New 

 Mexico. As above stated, but a small proj)ortion of the species re- 

 main in the United States to breed, though a few are found in all the 

 northern tier of States during that period. It is a common resident 

 throughout the wooded portions of the British provinces, and in sum- 

 mer occurs commonly from Hudson Hay to the Arctic Circle and through 

 the intervening country to northern Alaska. 



The Goshawk, like the two preceding species of the genus, feeds largely 

 on the flesh of birds, and to a less extent on mammals. Poultry, ducks, 

 grouse, and many of the smaller birds, together with hares, squirrels, 

 and other rodents make up its fare. Fortunatelj', in most farming dis- 

 tricts, at least in the United States, it is comparatively rare except 

 during the fall and winter months, otherwise its depredations among the 



