BIRDS OF PREY. 



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bordered and spotted with reddish yellow ; the lower parts are of a reddish shade, and at a later period 

 of a reddish white, marked with longitudinal brown streaks ; the beak, eyes, cere, and feet are paler 

 than in the adult. 



The habitat of the Gos Hawk is as extensive as that of the Sparrow Hawk ; it is found in great 

 numbers in northern countries, and in some districts may be regarded as stationary ; in Southern 

 Europe it is extremely rare, and, according to our own observation, is seldom met 'with in Northern 

 Africa or India. Wooded country, interspersed with fields and valleys, afford it the localities it prefers, 

 and it is much more numerous in extensive forests than in comparatively small woods. In its habits 

 this species is eminently unsocial, living almost invariably alone, except during the breeding season ; 

 its disposition is cunning, wild, and violent, and its movements active and powerful. When upon the 

 wing, it may be seen hovering from time to time, and then rushing down upon its prey with noisy 

 impetuosity; in making a swoop it cleaves the air with great force, the tail at these times being 

 partly outspread. In the air the Gos -Hawk is completely master of its movements, and steers its 

 course with imposing majesty ; whilst upon the ground, on the contrary, its gait is awkward and 

 ungainly, its step being a sort of lame hop. Its voice consists of a variety of sounds, but is 

 rarely heard; it is loud, resonant, and extremely unpleasing. So rapacious is this formidable bird, that 

 its destructive attacks are repeated almost without intermission during the entire day on birds of all 

 sizes, and even rabbits, squirrels, and water-fowl may be numbered among its victims, the prey being 

 seized with equal facility either when running, flying, or swimming ; some of the smaller quadrupeds 

 are so completely paralysed with fear at the approach of their destroyer that they crouch down incapable 

 of moving a limb, while the Hawk swoops down upon them with wings almost closed and talons 

 outspread, producing as it descends a rushing sound, that may be heard above a hundred paces from 

 the spot. Remarkable anecdotes are cited by reliable writers of the extreme cunning and intelligence 

 of these birds when strength proves unavailing. Count Wodzicki tells of a sagacious Hawk that, when 

 all other means had failed by which it hoped to seize upon some tempting but wary pigeons, at length 

 decided upon perching motionless upon a branch, with neck drawn in, so as to simulate an owl ; the 

 ruse completely succeeded, for the birds, fearing nothing from the huge but helpless looking creature, 

 ventured out and were seized with a rapidity from which escape was hopeless. The same author 

 mentions an instance of a trick played upon another flock of pigeons, in which very different means were 

 adopted ; the Hawk in this case, finding that its hoped-for prey utterly refused to come out and allow 

 themselves to be caught, at last alighted upon- the dove-cot, and beat and stamped upon it with such 

 violence that the terrified inhabitants were fairly driven from their retreat. Audubon mentions 

 having seen a Hawk kill five Blackbirds in succession as a flock was passing the Ohio, the victims 

 being successively thrown down upon the water until the destroyer had time to collect them at his 

 leisure ; this latter feat was accomplished by a series of very dexterous movements, and the booty safely 

 deposited upon dry land. The extraordinary rapacity of the Hawk fully accounts for its unsocial 

 habits ; it would, in fact, be impossible for these birds to live together ; no relation of life appears to 

 excite any natural feeling, even parents devour their offspring with the most revolting cruelty — indeed, 

 so great is their ferocity, that although provided with abundance of other food, they cannot restrain 

 their murderous propensities, if brought in contact with birds even of their own species. Such of 

 the feathered denizens of the forest as are sufficiently swift of wing to be able to elude the Gos 

 Hawk, pursue it fearlessly, and chase it with rude cries whenever it appears ; Crows and Swallows 

 are particularly addicted to this most harassing mode of avenging the wrongs of their more 

 helpless companions. 



The eyrie of this species is large and shallow, built of green fir or pine branches, which are added 

 to or renewed from time to time ; the bed for the young is lined with down stripped from tire parent 



