Common Merganser 



Alan C. Nelson 



GOSHAWK (Accipiter gentilis] 



Magnificently adapted to its role as a forest predator, the goshawk de- 

 pends on both speed and stealth to capture its prey. Utilizing its short, 

 broad wings for speed and its long tail for maneuvering, the goshawk 

 can pursue its prey through thickly wooded areas with amazing speed and 

 agility. The goshawk preys primarily on small birds, but its diet includes 

 grouse, voles, shrews, mice, chipmunks, squirrels, muskrats, hares, rab- 

 bits, and marmots. The adult goshawk has a uniformly blue-gray back, 

 a finely barred white stomach, a dark crown with a white eye stripe and 

 red eyes. One of the handsomest and deadliest of all birds, the goshawk 

 is secretive in its habits and is uncommon to rare in the coniferous com- 

 plexes of Yellowstone and Grand Teton. 



Red-tailed Hawk 



Harry Engels 



25 



