266 BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



These birds come upon the coast of Massachusetts at the last 

 of March or the beginning of April, keeping time with the ale- 

 wives, on which they feed. For some reason or other they 

 seldom breed here. The first appearance of frost, is the signal 

 for them to retreat to warmer climates. They are not uncom- 

 mon in the interior of the country near our lakes and large riv- 

 ers. In winter, they are sometimes seen near New Orleans ; 

 but this is not by any means the extent of their migrations, 

 and these probably are individuals which have not strength to 

 accompany the rest. 



The American Goshawk, Falco palumbarius, formerly sup- 

 posed, on the authority of Bonaparte, to be different from the 

 European, is now generally admitted to be the same. It is 

 not common in Massachusetts, nor in any part of the United 

 States ; but it sometimes follows the flocks of ducks in their 

 migration, and destroys considerable numbers. It is an active 

 and restless bird, seldom seen off the wing, except when de- 

 vouring its prey, and is so fleet in its motions that, in Maine, it 

 will dash down at the farmer's door and carry off chickens so 

 rapidly that it is hardly possible to shoot the robber. In the 

 western country, it follows the immense flocks of pigeons, and 

 selects its prey from among them, notwithstanding the swift- 

 ness of their flight. Audubon saw one of them give chase to a 

 flock of grakles, from which he seized four or five in succes- 

 sion, letting them drop into the water below ; after killing a 

 sufficient number, he picked them up one after another and 

 carried them to the shore. This bird is so savage and vora- 

 cious, that it has been kno"\Vn to eat the young of its own spe- 

 cies, when destitute of other food. 



The American Brown, or Slate colored Hawk, Falco 

 fiiscus, is now known to be the same with F. velox, and F. 

 Pennsylvanicus, which Wilson described as distinct species, 

 though not without suspicions that they might turn out to be 

 the same with others formerly known. It is not common in 

 New England, but is said to abound in the thinly settled parts 

 of the southern states, where it often makes great havoc among 



