338 ASTUE ATEICAPILLUS, AMEEICAN GOSHAWK. 



trate any great distance into the British possessions, like its smaller 

 relative, the Sharp-shinned ; and I have found no indication whatever 

 of its presence far north. It is abundant in most parts of the United 

 States; particularlj' so in New England, where it is perhaps the most 

 numerous of all the birds of prey. It appears to breed indifferently iu 

 all suitable places throughout its United States range; and, to judge 

 by the well-known rule of difference in size according to latitude, it is a 

 resident bird. Gulf-coast examples average about two and a half inches 

 smaller than others from New England. Possessed of spirit commen- 

 surate with its physical powers, it preys upon game little if any humbler 

 than that of our more powerful Falcons. It attacks and destroys hares, 

 Grouse, Teal, and even the young of larger Ducks, in the state in which 

 they are known as ' flappers," besides capturing the usual variety of 

 smaller birds and quadrupeds. It occasionally seizes upon reptiles or 

 picks up insects. In securing its prey it gives chase openly, and dives 

 down on its quarry with almost incredible velocity. Its ordinary flight 

 is rapid, easy, and soaring, performed with alternate flapping and sail- 

 ing. When brought down winged, it shows undaunted front, and fights 

 desperately to the last gasp. 



ASTUE ATIilCAPILLUS, (Wils.) Jard. 

 The AmericaD GoBhawk. 



Falco atrimoillus,WiLS., Am. Orn. vi, 1812, 80, pi. 5'2, f. 3.— Wagl., lais, 1831, 517.— NuTT., 

 Mun. i, l^'?y>, 85.— Peab., Rep. Orn. Mas9;77.— Thomps., Nat. Hist. Vermont, &■>. 



Hierofalco atrimpillus, Cuv., E. A. 2cl ed. i, 323. 



Sparvius atricapillus, Vjeill., Ency. Metb. iii, 1823, p. 1266. 



Aatur Citriaqntlus, Jaed. & Selby, lllust. 1825, pi. 121. — Bp., Comp. List, 1838, 5; CoDsp. 

 i, 1850, 31.— Kaup, Monog. Falc, 1850, 66.— Cass., HI. 1854, 93; Pr. Pbila. Acad. 

 1855, 279.— Brew., N. Am. Ocil, 1857, 17.— Newb., P. E. E. Eep. 18.57, vi, 74.— 

 Bd., B. N. A. 18.58, 15.— Coop. & Suck., N. H. Wash. Ter. 1S60, 144.— Lord, 

 Pr. Roy. Arty. Inst, iv, 110 (British Colnmbia). — Wheat., Ohio Agric. Eep. 1860, 

 No. (i.— Ci.)u'e.s & Pkent., Smiths. Rep. 1861, 401 (Washington, D. C, very 

 rare, in winter).— Blak., Ibis, iii, 1861, 316. — Boardm., Pr. Bost. Soc. ix, 1862, 

 122 (Calais, Me. ; resident, common, breeds). — Vep.r., Pr. Ess. Inst, iii, 1862, 

 141 (Norway, Me. ; resident, common, breeds). — Allen, Pr. Ess. Inst, iv, 1864, 

 50 (Massachusetts, winter). — McIlwr., Pr. Ess. Inst, v, 1866, 80 (Hamilton, 

 Canada ^Yest, rather rare). — CotE.s, Pr. Ess. Inst, v, 1868, 255. — Lawr., Ann. 

 Lye. N. Y. viii, 1866, 280 (New York).— Tiirkb., B. E. Pa. 1869, 6 (rare).— Dall 

 & Baxn., Tr. Chic. Acad, i, 1869, 271 (Alaska, common, resident).— Coop., B. 

 Cal. i, 1870, 467 (Sierra Nevada).— Snow, B. Kans. 1873 (rare).— Mayn., Pr. 

 Bost. Soc. xiv, 1871 (Northern New England, common, resident). — Fixsch, Abh. 

 Nat. iii, 1872, 26 (Alaska).- Coues, Key, 1872, 212. 



Falco palumbarius, Bp., Syn. 1828, 28; Isis, 1832, 1137.— AuD., Orn. Biog. ii, 241, pi. 141. 



Accipiter paluviiarius, Sw. & ElCH., F. B. A. ii, 1831, .39, pi. 26. 



Astur palumharkis, AuD., Syn. 1839, 18 ; B. Am. i, 1840, 95, pi. 23.— GlE., B. L. 1, 1844, 18. 



Astur palumbarius var. atricapillus, RiDGW., Pr. Bost. Soc. xvi, 1874, .C7. — B. B. & R., 

 N. A. B., iii, 1874, 237. 



Astur palumbarius var. sirioiftZas, Eidgw. — B. B. & E., N. A. B. iii, 1874, 240. 



Falco regalis, Temm., Planches Coloriees, No. 495. 



IXBdalion pictum, Less., Traits d'Ornith. i, 1831, 67 (see Puciier., E. Z. 1850, 211). 



Hab. — British America, and the Northern half of the United States — the latter chiefly 

 in winter ; farthest south along the Eocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada (" strialulus"). 



Late Expeditions.— 58982, Colorado. 



It is still a question whether the American Goshawk is specifically distinct from that 

 of Europe. Authorities are about equally divided in opinion, and both sides speak 

 with little, if any, reservt;. My own comparisons have not been sufficiently extensive ; 



