GOS-HAWK ; SPARROW-HAWK. 409 



storm, and of the free sky, rather inhabiting hilly countries 

 where there are woods, and seeking their prey near the ground. 

 The Gos-Hawk is unquestionably the finest of the whole tribe ; 

 being distinguished alike by its size, the beauty of its plumage, 

 and the elegance of its contour. The female measures about 24 



inches in length ; the male 

 19 or 20. It frequents the 

 deep solitudes of forests, 

 preying upon hares, squir- 

 rels, and the larger ground 

 Birds; and it builds its nest 

 in lofty trees, preferring, it 

 is said, the fir. Notwith- 

 standing its size and power, 

 it will not attempt to con- 

 tend with even the smaller 

 inhabitants of the air, such 

 as swallows; for when a 

 number of them attack it 

 together, they drive at it in 

 all directions, and so perplex 



and annoy it, that it retreats to a sheltered covert. If the prey 

 pursued by it should conceal itself, the Gos-Hawk waits in 

 patience on some perch commanding a view of the spot, until 

 the game flies away; in this manner it has been known to 

 watch a Pheasant for more than fourteen hours. The Gos- 

 Hawk is now rare in the British islands, being chiefly restricted 

 to the Scottish Highlands; but it is more abundant in the 

 forest districts of Continental Europe, and extends also through 

 the temperate regions of Asia and America. The Sparrow- 

 Hawk, though much smaller (the female being only 15 inches 

 in length), is much more daring in its character ; and is well 

 known as one of the terrors of the English farm-yard, being 

 very destructive to pigeons and poultry, as also to partridges. 

 No Hawk is more pertinacious in pursuit of its prey than this ; 

 for it has been known to follow its terrified victim through open 

 windows, into rooms, barns, and churches, undeterred by the 



