MEXICAN aoSHAWK. 



85 



tiee uc;ir tlic boidci- of a streiun, ami is oltcii occupied lor several 

 successive seasons. It is a bulky structure, composed of sticks and 

 lierbage, lined with dry leaves. This Hawk is most often found nnioiii;- 

 tlie tliick foliage near water courses, where it is observed with difliculty 

 before taking- wiiiii', and then is seen for a moment only as it passes 

 through the screen of leaves and branches. Its flight is swift and pow- 

 erful. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Uniform black, with a chalky cast in certain lights; tail white at base 

 and tip, and crossed about the middle with abroad white zone; ends of 

 feathers covering base of tail tipped with white; onter wing feathers 

 mottled with rusty. 



Lcxf/th: 21 to 23 inches (.ISS to 584"""); wing, 13 to 10 inches (330 to 

 405"'"'); tail, 7.<)0 to U inches (200 to 2S0"""). 



Tabic slioiriii!/ the results of c.rum'niationx of G ■stouKichs of the Me.rUun lilacl: Hawk 



( VriihitiiKja aiithraelna). 



SUMM.\UY.— Of G stomachs examineil. :5 contained batrachians; •_', tish; 1, reptile, and 2 indetermi- 

 nate matter. 



MEXICAN GOSHAWK. 



Asturina plagiata. 



Tlie Mexican Gosliawk is distributed tlirough tlie country from iha 

 Isthmns of Panama, northward to the southern parts of Arizona and New 

 Mexico. It is a common summer resident in the vicinity of Tucson, 

 among the mesquit groves, but leaves for its winter home in October. 



This Hawk feeds on small reptiles, ground squirrels, mice, in.sects, 

 aud birds. Cai)t. Charles E. Uendire, speaking- of the food, says: "It 

 is stated that this hawk feeds principally on lizards, but although the 

 latter are exceedingly plentiful throughout southern Arizona, I am sat- 

 isfied that small birds form no inconsiderable jmrtion of its food." (Or. 

 nithologist and Oologist, vol. VI, 1S82, p. S^.) Mr. William Brewster, 

 speaking of the food of birds captured in the vicinity of Tucson, says: 

 "The stomachs of the specimens examined contained lizards, small 

 sqnirrels, fish scales, the wing covers of beetles, und unrecognizabh' 

 fur and bones of small rodents." (BuH. Niitt. Oniith. Chib, vol. viii, 

 1883, p. 31.) 



