THE HAWK 



Sparrow Hawk, watching for prey. 



Goshawk. 





The Goshawk is twenty-one inches in length ; the hill and cere 

 are blue ; crown black, bordered on each side by a line of white, 

 finely speckled with black; upper parts, slate, tinged with brown; 

 legs feathered halfway down, and, with the feet, yellow; the breast 

 and belly white, with a number of wavy lines or bars of black ; the 

 tail long, of an ash-color, and crossed with four or five dusky bars; 

 wings much shorter than the tail. The Goshawk frequents the deep 

 solitudes of forests, preying upon hares, squirrels, and the larger 

 ground birds; it also feeds on mice and small birds, and eagerly 

 devours raw flesh. It plucks the birds very neatly, .and tears them 

 into pieces before it eats them, but swallows the pieces entire. The 

 Goshawk is abundant in the forest districts of continental Europe, 

 and extends also through the temperate regions of Asia and America. 

 It was formerly used in Europe in the once i,olebrated pastime of 

 falconry. 



I'he Chanting Hawk is the only known bird of prey which sings 

 agreeably. It is a native of Africa. It utters its song every morn- 

 ing and evening, and sometimes continues singing the whole night 

 long. In size it equals a Goshawk; its plumage is grey above, white 

 barred with brown on the lower part of the back and on the undei 

 parts of the body. It preys upon large birds, hares, and other 

 animals; it builds in trees. 



The Sparrow Hawk is a bold and spirited bird, but the most per- 

 nicious of the Hawk kind, making great depredations among pigeons, 

 partridges, and the young of domestic poultry. The difference of 

 size between the male and female is very disproportionate; the 

 former measuring about twelve, and the latter fifteen inches. Indi- 

 viduals of this species also vary considerably in their colors. It 

 is found in considerable numbers in various parts of the world, from 

 Russia to the Cape of Good Hope. This bird was held in great 

 veneration among the ancient Egyptians, because it was made the 

 emblem of their good Osiris. Among the Greeks it was consecrated 



Chanting Hawk. 



to Apollo. 



(21(T> 



