222 VERTEBRATES. 



instead of remorselessly murdering his benefactor. These birda 

 are not uncommon. Many live close to Oxford, and especially in 

 Bagley Wood, where they may be seen almost daily. They also 

 live in great numbers among the precipices in Dovedale. Their 

 nest is usually built in the deserted mansion of a crow or magpie. 

 The eggs are four in number, of a dark reddish brown. The 

 length is from thirteen to fifteen inches. 



The Goshawk is found plentifully in most of the wooded 

 districts of Europe, but is comparatively rare in the British Isles. 

 It seldom breeds south of Scotland, but its nest is not unfre- 

 quently found in that country, built upon lofty trees, principally 

 firs, and containing three eggs of a bluish white color with reddish 

 brown marks. When in pursuit of prey, it strikes its victim to 

 the ground by the force with which it dashes through the air. 

 Should the terrified quarry hide itself, the Goshawk takes up its 

 station on some elevated spot, and there patiently waits until the 

 game takes wing. Its principal food consists of hares, squirrels, 

 pheasants, and other large birds, which its great strength enables 

 it to destroy. Its length is about two feet; the fourth primary 

 feather is the longest. 



The Common Hawk, or falco-communis, is brown above, 

 with rufous, or reddish undulations; the tail is marked with 

 dusky bars ; the breast and belly whitish, with dusky spots. It 

 is an inhabitant of the colder and temperate parts of Europe, 

 from Iceland to the Mediterranean. About the end of February 

 they build their nests in lofty precipitous «ocks having a southern 

 aspect. The rock on which the castle of Dumbarton stands, has 

 b^en long mentioned as a place famous for the breed of the 

 Common Hawk. The growth of the young is peculiarly rapid. 

 In three months they are equal to their parents in size. The 

 eggs are generally three or four, and white, spotted with brown. 



Hawks are very courageous birds. They dart suddenly, 

 perpendicularly, and with great rapidity upon their prey. This 

 chiefly consists of partridges, pheasants, quails, wood-pigeons, etc., 

 and the smaller quadrupeds. They also attack the kite, and 



