96 THE GOSHAWK. 



stream with caution, and not unfrequently almost above them, when then- 

 escape was rendered rather difficult. They there caught Mallards with ease, 

 and after killing them turned them belly upwards, and ate only the flesh of 

 the breast, pulling the feathers with great neatness, and throwing them round 

 the bird, as if it had been plucked by the hand of man. 



The flight of the Goshawk is extremely rapid and protracted. He sweeps 

 along the margins of the fields, through the woods, and by the edges of ponds 

 and rivers, with such speed as to enable him to seize his prey by merely 

 deviating a few yards from his course, assisting himself on such occasions by 

 his long tail, which, like a rudder, he throws to the right or left, upwards or 

 downwards, to check his progress, or enable him suddenly to alter his course. 

 At times he passes like a meteor through the underwood, where he secures 

 squirrels and hares with ease. Should a flock of Wild Pigeons pass him 

 when on these predatory excursions, he immediately gives chase, soon over- 

 takes them, and forcing his way into the very centre of the flock, scatters 

 them in confusion, when you may see him emerging with a bird in his talons, 

 and diving towards the depth of the forest to feed upon his victim. When 

 travelling, he flies high, with a constant beat of the wings, seldom moving in 

 large circles like other Hawks, and when he does this, it is only a few times, 

 in a hurried manner, after which he continues his journey. 



Along the Atlantic coast, this species follows the numerous flocks of ducks 

 that are found there during autumn and winter, and greatly aids in the 

 destruction of Mallards, Teals, Black Ducks, and other species, in company 

 with the Peregrine Falcon. It is a restless bird, apparently more vigilant 

 and industrious than many other Hawks, and seldom alights unless to devour 

 its prey; nor can I recollect ever having seen one alighted for many minutes 

 at a time without having a bird in its talons. When thus engaged with its 

 prey, it stands nearly upright, and in general, when perched, it keeps itself 

 more erect than most species of Hawk. It is extremely expert at catching 

 Snipes on the wing, and so well do these birds know their insecurity, that, 

 on his approach, they prefer squatting. 



When the Passenger Pigeons are abundant in the western country, the 

 Goshawk follows their close masses, and subsists upon them. A single 

 Hawk suffices to spread the greatest terror among their ranks, and the 

 moment he sweeps towards a flock, the whole immediately dive into the 

 deepest woods, where, notwithstanding their great speed, the marauder suc- 

 ceeds in clutching the fattest. While travelling along the Ohio, I observed 

 several Hawks of this species in the train of millions of these Pigeons. 

 Towards the evening of the same day, I saw one abandoning its course, to 

 give chase to a large flock of Crow Blackbirds {Quiscalus versicolor), then 

 crossing the river. The Hawk approached them with the swiftness of an 



