36 NATURAL HISTORY [Birds. 



Species 5. The Goshawk. 



Sib Scot. 15. Accipiter Palumbarius, the Goshawk, Mas Decitur, the Tercel, 

 Wil. Orn. 85. Raii Syn. Av. 18. Falco Palumbarius, Lin. Fys. 130. Brit. 

 Zool. I. p. 140. tab. 5. 



THIS species is pretty frequent in Orkney, and I suppose 

 is one of the hawks the king's falconer was wont to fetch 

 {rom our rocks. To this day there is a rent-charge exacted 

 from many of the inhabitants for the maintenance of these 

 hawks, called hawk-hens, and which is still yearly uplifted. 

 Of old it consisted of any carrion, such as a dog, horse, or 

 other garbage, for which they were charged at a stated 

 price if not delivered. Mr Wallace tells us, the kite, or glead, 

 was to be found in Orkney in plenty ; however, I never saw 

 nor heard of them, and rather believe those he had seen were 

 stragglers from other countries, for the manner of their flight 

 renders them very conspicuous even at a great distance, so 

 that one can scarce be mistaken in them. But I rather think 

 this species is not to be found in Orkney, as there is no pro- 

 per shelter for them, they being fonder of gloomy woods than 

 sea-beat rocks, and delighting more in an extensive country 

 than narrow isles ; at least these are the observations I made 

 on them while in Scotland, where I seldom observed them 

 very near the sea. 



