189 
will mark this species as an Accipiter. Small size will separate from comparable plumaged 
Goshawks and the round instead of square tail from the Sharp-shinned. 
Nesting. In trees, much like the Sharp-shinned but seldom in conifers. 
Distribution. Breeds in most of the southern wooded sections of Canada, south over 
the United States. 
An even more harmful species than the Sharp-shinned, as its larger 
size gives it greater power and capacity for damage. Showing an almost 
equal spirit it seeks larger prey and even a fairly well-grown chicken is not 
safe from it. Adult fowls are rarely attacked unless feeble. 
Economic Status. Of 94 stomachs examined, 34 contained poultry or 
game-birds; 52, other birds; 11, mammals; 1, frog; 3, lizards; and 2, 
insects. The mammals consisted of rodents, mostly harmful, but one a 
grey squirrel; making a total of 87 food items against the species, 12 
in its favour, and 4 neutral. As it is a comparatively common Hawk 
throughout much of the settled parts of the country, it is certainly a 
menace and is responsible for much of the popular ill-repute of the order 
as a whole. 
334. American Goshawk (Including Western Goshawk), blue partridge hawk, 
hen hawk. Astur atricapiUus. L, 22. Plate XXV B. A large Hawk, only smaller than 
the big Buteos (Figure 202 — 3), striped brown and white when juvenile like several other 
species, but, when adult, uniform, light grey, almost all over, finely vermiculated with darker 
below. 
Figure 211 
Specific details of Goshawk; scale, §. 
Distinctions. The adult is, by its distinctive grey colour, unmistakable. The juvenile 
resembles a number of other species, from all of which, except its next relative, the Cooper's 
Hawk, it can be separated by its five emarginate primaries, regularly, though sometimes 
faintly, barred below to the tips (Figures 211, 212). From the Cooper’s Hawk, that 
approaches it in size, by the feathering of the leg which extends one-half or more of the 
length of the tarsus (Compare Figures 211 and 209). However, an Accipiter over 19 inches 
long will almost certainly be this species. The Goshawk also often has the whites of the 
underparts tinged with buffy, which never occurs with the Cooper’s Hawk. 
Field Marks. The largest of the Accipiters, next smaller to the large Buteos, the 
Red-tail, and Swainson’s Hawk (Figure 202 — 3). Rounded wings, regularly barred below, 
and long tail as an Accipiter (Figure 212). Large size and, when adult, general grey colour 
as a Goshawk. 
Nesting. In trees. 
Distribution. Breeds in the northern wooded sections across the continent. Some- 
times in winter it comes down into the prairie and southern sections in considerable numbers. 
