OCT. GOSHAWKS. 15 



and when once a hawk is accustomed to the hood, 

 the trouble of keepmg her is very little. 



The goshawk, although a fine handsome bird, 

 has not the speed of any of the long- winged hawks, 

 but she flies well at rabbits. I am told that the 

 instantaneous manner in which this hawk kills a 

 rabbit, by breaking its skull at a single blow, can 

 only be understood by those who have seen it. 



But I am wandering into a subject of which I 

 know too little from personal experience to render 

 my remarks of any value ; and will only recommend 

 those of my readers who possess time and energy 

 to procure a peregrine falcon in good health and 

 perfect plumage (the latter point is most important), 

 and then, with some treatise on hawking in one 

 hand, try if he cannot soon train the hawk which 

 sits hooded on his other. With a fair share of 

 temper, patience, and careful observation, he will 

 be sure to succeed. 



The goshawk is the most rare kind in this 

 country. The only place where I know of its 

 breeding regularly is the forest of Darnaway ; but 

 I am told that they also breed in the large fir woods 

 near the Spey. The bright piercing eye of the 

 goshawk has a peculiarly savage and cruel expres- 

 sion, without the fine bold open look of the pere- 

 grine. At this season that singular hawk, the osprey, 



