THE AMERICAN GOSHAWK. 197 



mainland, although plentiful along the seashore. Specimens were obtained 

 from Fort Yukon, the Yukon Delta, and the vicinity of St. Michael. The tracts 

 preferred by this Goshawk are the narrow valleys, borders of streams, and open 

 tundras, which it constantly scans for Ptarmigan and small animals, the lem- 

 ming forming a considerable portion of its food. It will sit for hours in some 

 secluded spot waiting for a Ptarmigan to rise on its wings. No sooner does its 

 prey rise a few feet from the ground, than with a few rapid strokes of the wing 

 and a short sail, the Goshawk is brought within seizing distance; it pounces upon 

 the bird, grasping it with both feet under the wings, and after giving it a few 

 blows on the head they both fall to the ground, often tumbling several feet 

 before they stop, the Hawk not relinquishing its hold during the time. * * * 

 I have seen this Hawk sail, without a quiver of its pinions, until within seizing 

 distance of its quarry, and suddenly throw its wings back, when with a clash 

 they came together, and the vicinity was filled with white feathers floating 

 peacefully through the air. I secured both birds, and found the entire side of 

 the Ptarmigan ripped open. * * * 



"It is a resident of the interior, and comes to the coast quite early in 

 spring, as is attested by the fact that I killed one specimen April 28, and a fine 

 example was brought to me from the mouth of the Uphiin (part of the northern 

 Yukon Delta) where it was killed April 25. It was a female, and contained an 

 egg ready for extrusion, which had already received a pale bluish green color 

 on the shell. The bird was shot on the nest which was placed in a small poplar 

 tree. The nest was composed of sticks and a few blades of grass. The size was 

 quite bulky, measuring nearly 2 feet in extreme diameter, and having but a 

 slight depression. The bird was extremely vicious, choosing to remain on the 

 nest rather than desert it. The male attacked the native, tore his cotton 

 shirt into shreds, and snatched the cap from the head of the astonished man, 

 who was so surprised at the impetuosity of the attack that he struck wildly 

 at the bird with his arm, and before he could reload his gun the bird took 

 flight. 



"This Goshawk breeds wherever found in summer, placing its nest in a 

 tree or shrub, or even on the edge of a cliff, inaccessible to foxes or other 



enemies." 1 



Mr. Manly Hardy, of Brewer, Maine, writes me: "According to my obser- 

 vations the Goshawk does more damage to game and poultry than all other 

 hawks combined. They live almost entirely on Ruffed Grouse, domestic fowls, 

 and rabbits. I have known one to destroy five Ruffed Grouse in one morn- 

 ing, tearing them to pieces and leaving them; and have also known one to tear 

 out a Grouse's leg and hip and to swallow it whole, but never knew one to be 

 taken with an empty crop. 



"There is both an old and new nest of this species on my own land. The 

 first about 140 yards from a blacksmith's shop. These are the only two I ever 

 heard of having been found in this vicinity. I think they occupied the first 



1 Contributions to Natural History of Alaska, Turner, 1866, p. 157. 



