GOSH A WKS. 



589 



of a day's journey it is not uncommon to meet persons pursuing this 

 sport.* 



The birds which form the next family differ from the previous 

 in having no teeth in the upper mandible of the bill ; their tarsi, 

 also, are longer, and their wings shorter. Their flight, too, is both 



Fig. 275. Goshawks. 



Fig. 276. Common Sparrow-hawk. 



less high and less rapid than that of the falcons proper. They are 

 found in all parts of the globe, presenting some slight modifications, 

 due to the influence of climate. They generally feed on small birds 

 and reptiles, and exceptionally on very small mammals. They are 

 divided into Goshawks and Sparrow-hawks. 



There are various species of the Goshawk, one only of which, the 

 Common Goshawk, is a native of Europe all are characterised by 

 very strong tarsi. 



* On the plains about Tientsin I have encountered two or three parties of 

 hawkers in a day. ED. 



