THE GOSHAWK. 237 



in falconry, and probably the whole of the short winged 

 species similarly employed elsewhere will be found to be 

 members of the two genera Astur and Accipiter, which 

 these two birds individnally represent. They are termed 

 the short winged or true hawks, in contradistinction to 

 the longer winged falcons, from which more noble race 

 they materially differ, both in disposition and greatly 

 diminished powers of flight ; they are also called hawks 

 of the fist, because it is from thence and not from a 

 lofty pitch they start in pursuit of their game. From 

 this circumstance it is absolutely necessary that the fal- 

 coner should approach very close upon the quarry before 

 springing it, otherwise these hawks will not even attempt 

 to follow. The goshawk is at the present day seldom 

 met with in England or Scotland, and can only be 

 regarded as a mere visitant. Young birds for training 

 must be obtained from Grermany or Sweden. There is 

 not the same necessity for flying young goshawks at 

 had', which exists as regards peregrine falcons and 

 merlins. The goshawk in the east is very highly prized. 

 In this country it is found so deficient in speed, com- 

 pared with that of our game, that it is evidently not so 

 well suited to the west, since it can only be flown suc- 

 cessfully at hares, pheasants, rabbits, and the young of 

 other birds, or at coots and moor hens.* Perhaps it 

 would be better to keep this hawk chiefly at the fur. 



* Buifon, who brought up two young goshawks, observes, that " though 

 the male was much smaller than the female, it was fiercer and more 

 vicious. They feed on mice and small birds, and eagerly devour raw 

 flesh. It plucks the birds very neatly, and tears them into pieces before 

 it eats them, but swallows the pieces entire, and frequently disgorges 

 the hair rolled up in small pellets. Its breeding places are in trees 

 and sometimes in rocky excavations ; lajdng from two to four eggs, of a 

 bluish white, with brown spots, and streaks of the same." 

 r3 



