104 GOSHAWK. 



in Devonshire. One was caught near Egham, in Surrey, early 

 in the year 1846, in the following curious manner: It was 

 perched upon a gate-post, so intently engaged in watching a 

 flock of starlings, that it did not perceive the approach of a 

 man who came behind it, and caught it by its legs. 



In the Orkney Islands it is not very unfrequently seen, accor- 

 ding to Mr. Low, in his 'Fauna Orcadensis,' and also Mr. Forbes: 

 it most probably occurs in the Hebrides also, if the fact be 

 so, but Mr. Yarrell doubts whether the Peregrine may not 

 have been mistaken for it. In Ireland, Mr. Thompson, of 

 Belfast, says that it cannot be authentically determined to have 

 occurred. In Scotland it seems to be indigenous, particularly 

 in the central parts, in the Grampians of Aberdeenshire ; on 

 the Rivers Spey and Dee, where it has been said by Pennant 

 to breed, and in the forest of Rothiemurcus, where it is known 

 to do so. One was killed near Dalkeith. 



Mountains as well as level districts are frequented by the 

 Goshawk, but in either case it seems to prefer a variety of 

 woodland and open country, and not to be partial either to 

 the dense monotony of a forest, or the dangerous exposure 

 of an open unsheltered plain. Mudie says that it also dwells 

 in the rocky cliffs of the sea coast, but he gives no authorities 

 for, or instances of, this being the case. 



In general habits this species is considered to resemble the 

 Sparrow-Hawk. At night it roosts in coppice wood in preference 

 to lofty trees, and the lower parts of such instead of the top, 

 rarely on rocks in the more open part of the country. 'When 

 at rest,' says Meyer, 'he sits in a slouching attitude, with his 

 back raised, and his head rather depressed; but does not drop 

 his tail in the manner that some other birds of prey are in the 

 habit of doing.' The male is said to be a much more spirited 

 bird than the female, and to have been on this account the 

 rather valued in the gay science ; though its training was more 

 difficult than that of some other species. It was flown at hares, 

 rabbits, pheasants, grouse, partridges, pigeons, wild-geese, and 

 herons. Great havoc is committed in preserves when the young 

 ones are expecting food in the nest. At other seasons of the 

 year the more open country is traversed for its own supply 

 by the Goshawk. Like several others, perhaps all of the Hawk 

 kind, the one before us is the object of the persevering and 

 unaccountable attacks of the Rooks. Who that has lived in 

 the country has not seen this, and observed it even from his 

 childhood? Yet there are those, whose lot has unfortunately 



