THE GOSHAWK. 95 



equal, third much longer, and connected at the base by a web with the fourth, 

 which is shortest; claws long, well curved, acuminate. Wings very broad, 

 of moderate length, much rounded, fourth and fifth quills longest, first much 

 shorter, outer four abruptly cut out on the inner web. Tail long, much 

 exceeding the wings, rounded. 



Those of more slender form, with proportionally longer tails and tarsi, are 

 separated by many authors to form a group, to which the names of Jlccipiter 

 and Nisus are given. 



THE GOSHAWK. 



•f-AsTUR PAXUMBAKIITS, LblU. 



PLATE XXIII— Adult Male and Young. 



The Goshawk is of rare occurrence in most parts of the United States, and 

 the districts of North America to which it usually retires to breed are as yet 

 unknown. Some individuals nestle within the Union, others in the British 

 provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, but the greater part seem to 

 proceed farther north. I saw none, however, in Labrador, but was informed 

 that they are plentiful in the wooded parts of Newfoundland. On returning 

 from the north, they make their appearance in the Middle States about the 

 beginning of September, and after that season range to very great distances. 

 I have found them rather abundant in the lower parts of Kentucky and 

 Indiana, and in severe winters I have seen a few even in Louisiana. In the 

 Great Pine Forest of Pennsylvania, and at the Falls of Niagara, I have 

 observed them breeding. During autumn and winter, they are common in 

 Maine, as well as in Nova Scotia, where I have seen six or seven specimens 

 that were procured by a single person in the course of a season. At Pictou, 

 Professor MacCulloch shewed me about a dozen well mounted specimens 

 of both sexes, and of different ages, which he had procured in the neighbour- 

 hood. In that country, they prey on hares, the Canada Grous, the Ruffed 

 Grous, and Wild Ducks. In Maine, they are so daring as to come to the 

 very door of the farmer's house, and carry off chickens and ducks with such 

 rapidity as generally to elude all attempts to shoot them. When residing in 

 Kentucky I shot a great number of these birds, particularly one cold winter, 

 near Henderson, when I killed a dozen or more on the ice in Canoe Creek, 

 where I generally surprised them by approaching the deep banks of that 



