BLACK-CAP HAWK* 
63 
exploits in falconry. This science, if it may be so called, 
is among- the few that have never yet travelled across the 
Atlantic ; neither does it appear that the idea of training 
our hawks or eagles to the chase, ever suggested itself 
to any of the Indian nations of North America. The 
Tartars, however, from whom, according to certain 
writers, many of these nations originated, have long 
excelled in the practice of this sport ; which is indeed 
better suited to an open country than to one covered 
with forest. Though once so honourable and so uni- 
versal, it is now much disused in Europe, and in 
Britain is nearly extinct. Yet I cannot hut consider it 
as a much more noble and princely amusement than 
horse-racing and cock-fighting, cultivated in certain 
states with so much care ; or even than pugilism, which 
is still so highly patronized in some of those enlightened 
countries. 
SUBGENUS V. — ASTUE, PECHSTEIN. 
11 . FALCO PALUMBARIUSf LINN. FALCO ATRICAPILLUS , WILSON. 
ASH-COLOURED, OR BLACK-CAP HAWK. 
WILSON, PLATE HI. FIG. III.* EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
Of this beautiful species I can find no precise des- 
cription. The ash-coloured buzzard of Edwards differs 
so much from this, particularly in wanting the fine 
zig-zag lines below, and the black cap, that I cannot 
for a moment suppose them to be the same. The 
individual here described was shot within a few miles 
* The bird here described is the goshawk, and is also a Euro- 
pean species. 
