106 GOSHAWK. 



from each other. A large stake was driven into the ground 

 and left standing, about seven feet in height ; hushes and boughs 

 were then laid round this post and kept loosely open, and 

 hollow at the bottom, to the extent of ten or twelve yards 

 round the post, for the Partridges to run into when pursued 

 by the Goshawk, which they usually did after being disturbed 

 two or three times. The Groshawk finding itself disappointed, 

 and unable to follow them with its long wings amongst the 

 bushes and briers, after flying round them for some turns, was 

 sure to perch upon the top of the post, as the only resting- 

 place at hand, and was as sure to be taken by a trap set there 

 for the purpose.' 



'His voice in times of danger,' says Meyer, 'is a loud single 

 note, many times repeated, and bears a great resemblance to 

 that of the Sparrow-Hawk ; besides this cry, he utters another 

 much resembling the note of the Peregrine-Falcon, which is 

 chiefly used when engaged in a contest with some other bird 

 of prey. 



Its nest is said to be built in tall fir or other trees, near 

 the trunk, and to be large in size, flat in shape, anl composed 

 of sticks, grass, and moss, loosely put together. The bird is 

 believed to be in the habit frequently of occujying it for 

 several years in succession, making the necessary repairs from 

 time to time. Mr. Hewitson says that it 'is pkced in some 

 high tree in the interior of the woodland, except in those 

 parts which are cleared, and free from timber.' During the 

 time that the female is sitting she is fed by the male. 



The eggs are from two to five in number, greenish or bluish 

 white, often with and sometimes without, or learly without 

 streaks and spots of brown, or reddish, or yelowish brown. 

 They are hatched about the middle of May, affca* an incubation 

 of about three weeks. 



The Groshawk is very strong and robust ii make. Male; 

 length, from one foot six, to one foot nine irches; bill, light 

 blue at the base, bluish black towards the aid, and bristled 

 on the sides ; cere, yellow ; iris, bright yellow Ji the fully adult 

 bird ; over the eye is a broad white line spotted with black ; 

 head, flat, dark brownish black 1 on the crovn; neck, as the 

 back, behind, the base of the feathers wlrfce, dull white in 

 front; nape, white at the under end of tie feathers, which 

 are tipped with brownish black. Chin ind throat, white, 

 streaked with dusky; breast, greyish vhite, transversely 

 waved with small bars of greyish black; each feather has 



