173 



N'ortii mountain. The last wild pigeon observed 

 ill tliat region by Messrs. Otto and Herman Behr was 

 taken in the spring of 1893. The Goshawk, also the 

 Oooper's and Sharp-shinned si)ecies, in common with 

 the Great Horned and Barred owls, destroyed great 

 numbers of pigeons. Of all these raptorial birds tlie 

 cruel, daring and blood-thirsty Goshawk was by far 

 the most persislent and destrur-live enemy to the 

 pigeons. 



The owls, like other uocIuiumI marauders, such as 

 (he wild cat or bay lynx, the red fox, the mink and 

 agile weasel, all preyed upon the pigeons. The wea- 

 sels would frequently climb the tree to get the pigeons' 

 eggs and young, or often to capture the old birds' when 

 at rest. The other mammals previously mentioned 

 depended mostly on catching squabs which fell from 

 the nests. 



WHAT GOSHAWKS PREY UPON'. 



The Goshawk feeds upon chickens, turkeys, ducks, 

 grouse, quail, robins, hares and squirrels and other 

 small rodents. Although at times this bird is very 

 destructive to poultry the greatest damage done by 

 this species in the State appears to be to game, especi 

 ally grouse. 



The following paragraphs concerning this daring 

 and destructive hawk are taken from Dr. A. K. Fish- 

 er's Report, Bulletin No. 3: 



"This species is one of tlie most daring of all the hawks, 

 and while in Diirsuit of Its prey is apparently less concerned 

 by the presence of man than any other. It will dart down 

 unexpectedly at the very feet of the farmer and carry off a 

 fowl." 



The following from the pen of the late Dr. William 

 Wood gives evidence of its boldness; 



