THE GOSHAWK *3 



Genus Astur Lacepede. 



7. ASTUR ATRICAPILL US ATRICAPILL US (Wilson). 334. 

 . : Goshawk. Big Blue Hen Hawk. Big Blue Chicken Hawk. 



Field Characters. A large slate colored hawk with darker crown ; 

 grayish below ; tail long and wings rounded. Found here in late fall, 

 winter and early spring. 



Description. Above, slate colored, with blackish crown and a 

 white line above and behind the eye. Tail with five indistinct dark 

 bars. 



Below, everywhere closely barred with slate-gray and white; the 

 feathers showing black shaft-lines. 



Immature birds are dusky above, the feathers burly edged; tail 

 with definite dark bars. Below whitish with blackish streaks. 



Measurements. Length, 21 to 24 inches; wing, 12 to 14 inches; 

 tail, 10 to 12 inches. 



Range. North America. Breeds chiefly north of the United 

 States. In- winter is found as far south as Missouri, Oklahoma and 

 Mexico. 



The Goshawk is found in Iowa during the colder part of the year, 

 reaching us from the north usually about the middle of November. 

 It is closely related to the Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks but is 

 much larger and more powerful than either, and is bolder and more 

 daring in pursuit of its prey. 



In Iowa it is apparenty less a bird of the open than either of the 

 above-named species, being found usually in or near timber, though 

 it comes to the farmyard fearlessly in quest of doves and chickens. 

 R. M. Anderson speaks of it as occurring "from November to April," 

 and says further that it "has been recorded from most sections of 

 the State." 



While it doubtless occurs every year, it frequently appears to be 

 so uncommon that it is easily overlooked. In December, 1906, a bird 

 taken near Cedar Rapids was brought to the writer by Mr. G. H. 

 Berry. In midwinter, later, two tail feathers of the Goshawk were 

 brought in for identification. They had been taken from a trap set 

 near a dove-cote which was being visited by one of these birds. 



During about ten years past not a single specimen of this species 

 had been received by the State University, but the recent fall and 

 winter (1916-17) witnessed a remarkable flight of Goshawks in this 



