242 GOSHAWK. 



The flight of the Goshawk is extremely rapid and protracted. He 

 sweeps along the margins of the fields, through the woods, and by the 

 edges of ponds and rivers, with such speed as to enable him to seize his 

 prey by merely deviating a few yards from his course, assisting himself 

 on such occasions by his long tail, which, like a rudder, he throws 

 to the right or left, upwards or downwards, to check his progress, or 

 enable him suddenly to alter his course. At times he passes like a 

 meteor through the underwood, where he secures squirrels and hares with 

 ease. Should a flock of Wild Pigeons pass him when on these predatory 

 excursions, he immediately gives chase, soon overtakes them, and forcing 

 his way into the very centre of the flock, scatters them in confusion, when 

 you may see him emerging with a bird in his talons, and diving towards 

 the depth of the forest to feed upon his victim. When travelling, he 

 flies high, with a constant beat of the wings, seldom moving in large 

 circles like other hawks, and when he does this, it is only a few times in 

 a hurried manner, after which he continues his journey. 



Along the Atlantic coast, this species follows the numerous flocks of 

 ducks that are found there during autumn and winter, and greatly aids 

 in the destruction of Mallards, Teals, Black Ducks, and other species, in 

 company with the Peregrine Falcon. It is a restless bird, apparently more 

 vigilant and industrious than many other Hawks, and seldom alights un- 

 less to devour its prey ; nor can I recollect ever having seen one alighted 

 for many minutes at a time, without having a bird in its talons. When 

 thus engaged with its prey, it stands nearly upright, and in general, 

 when perched, it keeps itself more erect than most species of Hawk. It 

 is extremely expert at catching Snipes on the wing, and so well do these 

 birds know their insecurity, that, on his approach, they prefer squatting. 

 When the Passenger Pigeons are abundant in the western country, 

 the Goshawk follows their close masses, and subsists upon them. A single 

 hawk suffices to spread the greatest terror among their ranks, and the 

 moment he sweeps towards a flock, the whole immediately dive into the 

 deepest woods, where, notwithstanding their great speed, the marauder 

 succeeds in clutching the fattest. While travelling along the Ohio, I 

 observed several Hawks of this species in the train of millions of these 

 Pigeons. Towards the evening of the same day, I saw one abandoning 

 its course, to give chase to a large flock of Crow Blackbirds (Quiscalus 

 versicolor), then crossing the river. The Hawk approached them with 

 the swiftness of an arrow, when the Blackbirds rushed together so closely 



