96 
THE GOSHAWK. 
stream with caution, and not unfrequently almost above them, when their 
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 
