158 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



334. American Goshawk. Accipiter atricapillm. 



[Bluish white], 

 unmarked, but occasionally 



Range. Northern North Amer- 

 ica, south in winter to the northern 

 parts of the United States. 



This species is one of the largest, 

 strongest and most audacious of 

 American Hawks, frequently carry- 

 ing off Grouse and poultry, the lat- 

 ter often in the presence of the 

 owner. It is a handsome species in 

 the adult plumage, with bluish gray 

 upper parts, and light under parts, 

 finely vermiculated with grayish 

 and with black shafts to the feath- 

 ers. Length, 23 inches. Their 

 nests are placed well up in the tall- 

 est trees, usually in dense woods, 

 the nests being of sticks lined with 

 weeds and bark. The three or four 

 eggs are bluish white, generally 

 with faint spots of brown. Size 2.30 x 1.70. 



334a. Western Goshawk. Accipiter atricapillus striatnlu*. 



Range. Western North America from Alaska to California, bree ling chiefly 

 north of the United States except in some of the higher ranges of the Pacific 

 coast. This sub-species is darker, both above and below, than the American 

 Goshawk. Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely the same. 



335. Harris Hawk. Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi. 



Range. Mexico and Central America, 

 north to the Mexican border of the United 

 States; very abundant in southern Texas. 



This is a peculiar blackish species, 

 with white rump, and chestnut shoulders 

 and thighs. It is commonly met with 

 in company with Caracaras, Turkey Buz- 

 zards and Black Vultures, feeding upon 

 carrion. They also feed to an extent on 

 small mammals and birds. Their nests 

 are made of sticks, twigs and weeds, and 

 placed in bushes or low trees. The three 

 or four eggs are laid in April or May. 

 They are dull white in color and generally 

 unmarked, although often showing traces 

 of pale brown spots. They are quite 

 variable in size, averaging 2.10 x 1.65. 



[336.] European Buzzard. Buteo buteo. 



This common Old World bird is claimed to have been taken in one instance 

 in Michigan, thereby obtaining a doubtful standing among accidental North 

 American birds. Their nesting habits are the same as those of the majority of 

 the Hawks and the eggs resemble small specimens of those of the Red-tail. 



