THE GOSHAWK. 
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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 Accipiter 
and JVisus are given. 
THE GOSHAWK. 
Astur palumbarius, Linn. 
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 Grouse, the Ruffed 
Grouse, 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 
