MEXICAN GOSHAWK. 



85 



tree near the border of a stream, and is often occupied for several 

 successive seasons. It is a bulky structure, composed of sticks and 

 herbage, lined with dry leaves. This Hawk is most often found among 

 the thick foliage near water courses, where it is observed with difficulty 

 before taking wing, and then is seen for a moment only as it passes 

 through the screen of leaves and branches. Its flight is swift and pow- 

 erful. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Uniform black, with a chalky cast in certain lights; tail white at base 

 and tip, and crossed about the middle with abroad white zone; ends of 

 feathers covering base of tail tipped with white; outer wing feathers 

 mottled with rusty. 



Length: 21 to 23 inches (533 to SSI"""); wing, 13 to 16 inches (330 to 

 405™™); tail, 7.90 to 11 inches (200 to 280"""). 



Table showing the results of cxaniinatioTis of 6 stomachs of the Mexican Black Hawle 



( (Jrubilinga miihradna). 



Summary.— Of 6 stomachs examined, 3 contained batracliiaiis; 2, fish; 1, reptile, and 2 indetermi- 

 nate matter. 



MEXICAN GOSHAWK. 



Asturina plagiata. 



The Mexican Goshawk is distributed through the country from the 

 Isthmus of Panama northward to the southern parts of Arizona and l^ew 

 Mexico. It is a common summer resident in the vicinity of Tucson, 

 among the mesquit groves, but leaves for its winter home in October. 



This Hawk feeds on small reptiles, ground squirrels, mice, insects, 

 and birds. Capt. Charles E. Bcndire, speaking of the food, says: "It 

 is stated that this hawk feeds principally on lizards, but although the 

 latter are exceedingly plentiful throughout southern Arizona, I am sat- 

 isfied that small birds form no inconsiderable portion of its food." (Or- 

 nithologist and Oologist, vol. vi, 1882, p. 88.) Mr. William Brewster 

 speaking of the food of birds captured in the vicinity of Tucson, says: 

 "The stomachs of the specimens examined contained lizards, small 

 squirrels, fish scales, the wing covers of beetles, and unrecognizable 

 fur and bones of small rodents." (Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, vol. viii 

 1883, p. 31.) 



