GOSHAWK. 159 



F. atricapillus of Wilson. One of Mr Audubon's 

 figures approaches closer to this bird than any 

 American specimen we have seen, and we con- 

 sider it as by no means unlikely to be discovered 

 in the New World, and also in temperate India.* 



In form, the female Goshawk is extremely 

 powerful ; the feet and legs are comparatively 

 stronger and more muscular than in the Spar- 

 rowhawk, and it can with ease carry off the larger 

 game. In our works on Falconry it stands very 

 high, both on account of its strength, boldness, 

 and capability of early training ; but in modern 

 days, whether from its scarcity, or less sporting- 

 like appearance, it is seldom asked for, or trainee! 

 by those gentlemen who are endeavouring to 

 re-introduce the sport. 



The colours of the plumage of the adult Gos- 

 hawk is hair brown, of different shades, generally 

 darker on the crowja, and with the base of the 

 feathers on the back of the neck having so much 

 white, as to be seen in aknost any position, and 

 to render this part of a spotted appearance ; the 

 quills are darker towards the tips, and are barred 

 on the inner webs with a still deeper shade ; the 

 tail is barred with liver brown, and is tipped with 

 white; the terminal band is broadest, the others 

 decreasing gradually in their intensity of shade 



* Pennant mentions having seen Indian drawings cf 

 this species. Br. Zool. vol. i. 



