INTRODUCTION. 
xxxm 
handsome specimen of this Goshawk in the hands of a hird-stuffer there, vvlio had obtained it a sliort 
time previously from a keeper in Perthshire, along with a number of Snow-Buntings and other birds 
shot by him on the flanks of Schiehallion, and all reeently skinned.” 
The following notes respecting the second example were published by Sir Victor A. Brooke in ‘The 
Ibis ’ for 1870. “ I have the pleasure of informing you of the occurrence in Ireland of Astur atrica- 
pillus, an example of which was shot in the Galtee Mountains in February last, and was at first 
believed to be a common Goshawk (A. palumbarius) ; but having since had the opportunity of examining 
some specimens of that species in Lord Lilford’s collection, I immediately detected the difference 
between them and the Galtee bird. Upon returning to Ireland, with the kind permission of Dr. Carte 
I compared it with a specimen of A. atricapillus in the Dublin Society’s collection, and cleared up any doubt 
that remained on my mind, the closely set transverse bars, the longitudinal streaks (stronger and bolder 
than in the European species), the general dusky appearance of the breast, and the dark slate-blue head 
removing all question on the subject. The bird was a mature female, and weighed 3 lb. 7oz. ; the ovary 
was somewhat enlarged ; and the stomach contained the remains of a rabbit.” Of the third example, all 
that has been recorded is that it was shot shortly after the above, near Parsonstown, King’s County, and 
was also a female. 
A certain amount of interest attaches to the occurrence of these Goshawks, inasmuch as it tends to 
show how frequently American birds cross the Atlantic to our shores ; but if all such visitants were to be 
figured, how greatly extended would be the ‘ Birds of Great Britain.’ 
Subfamily ACCIPITRINiE. 
Genus Accipiter. 
Of this genus only one species frequents the British Islands ; but several others are found in Africa , 
India, China, North and South America. The whole of them are active, dashing birds, often flying near 
the ground and suddenly surprising the smaller insessorial species, upon which they principally prey. 
The sexes differ considerably in size, the males being much smaller than the females. A character by 
which they are at once distinguished from the Asturince consists in the great length of their middle toes. 
14. Accipiter nisus Vol. I. PI. X. 
Sparrow-Hawk. 
A common, stationary species, breeding in all our counties. 
K 
