19G LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



67. Accipiter atricapillus (Wilson). 



AMERICAN GOSHAWK. 



Falco atricapillus Wilson, American Ornithology, vi, 1812, 80, PI. 52, Fig. 3. 

 Accipiter atricapillus Seebohm, History of British. Birds, 1, 1883, iv. 



(B 14, C 340, R 433, C 496, U 334.) 



Geographical range . Northern, central, and eastern North America; south in 

 winter to the Middle States and southern Rocky Mountains, straggling west into Ore- 

 gon (Fort Klamath). 



The Goshawk, one of our handsomest birds of prey, breeds principally- 

 north of the United States, occurring more or less commonly, though nowhere 

 abundantly, in suitable localities throughout the British Dominion, from the 

 shores of the North Atlantic Ocean to the Arctic and Bering Seas. 



Within the United States its breeding range is confined to the extreme 

 northern border, breeding sparingly but regularly from central Maine north- 

 ward, and probably also in the northern portions of Vermont, New Hampshire, 

 and New York. In the Rocky Mountain region it is said to breed as far south 

 as Colorado. West of the Rocky Mountains it occurs as a straggler only, but 

 possibly breeds in limited numbers in the Bitter Root Mountains and the spurs 

 thereof in Idaho. In eastern Washington and Oregon it is replaced by the 

 western race, a much darker-colored bird. A typical specimen of Astur atrica- 

 pillus has, however, been taken on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range, 

 near Fort Klamath, Oregon, by Dr. James C. Merrill, U. S. Army, on March 

 11, 1887, the most westerly record I know of. Throughout the United States 

 it is by far more abundant during the winter months than in the breeding sea- 

 son. At this time it keeps more to the mountains, where game is abundant, 

 while in the fall and winter it may often be seen in the fertile and cultivated 

 valleys adjacent to these, in search of prey, and is naturally much more readily 

 noticed. Five out of six of the birds seen at this time are the young of the 

 year, which have been left by the parents to their own resources. 



The Groshawk is the boldest and by far the most destructive of the North 

 American Raptores ; infinitely more injurious to our game birds, and the poultry 

 yard as well, than any other species, the large Gyrfalcons not excepted. Not- 

 withstanding its comparatively short wings, its flight is powerful and swift; it 

 is strong and active in body, shy and keensighted, savage and bloodthirsty in 

 disposition, a veritable terror to all smaller birds, and more than a match for 

 others considerably larger than itself It loves to destroy life for the sake of 

 killing. In northern Alaska, along the shores of the Yukon River, it is per- 

 haps more abundant than anywhere else within its range, feeding principally 

 on the numerous Ptarmigan, lemmings, and Arctic hares to be found there at all 

 times in abundance. 



Mr. L. M. Turner says: "The American Goshawk is a common species 

 throughout the Yukon Valley, and apparently confines itself entirely to the 



