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DIURNAL BIRDS OF FREY. 
The European goshawk, or goose-hawk (Astur palwmbarius), is 
Goshawks. type of a very large genus, differing from the last by the length 
of the ridge of the beak from in front of the cere exceeding half the length of 
the third toe without the claw; and further distinguished by the fourth toe being 
about equal in length to the second, without the claws; by the overhanging tufts 
of feathers on the thighs; and the absence of any tubercle in the bony nostrils. 
The beak is short, with a distinct festoon in its cutting-edge; the short wings 
generally have the fourth quill the longest; the metatarsus usually has large scutes 
in front; and the toes are of only moderate length. Goshawks have an almost 
ADULT GOSHAWK RABBIT HAWKING. 
cosmopolitan distribution, although they are unknown in part of Oceania and the 
southern portion of South America. While the more typical forms are equal in 
size to the largest falcons, the smaller kinds are not larger than sparrow-hawks; 
and so closely are the goshawks and sparrow-hawks thus connected, that some 
writers, like Messrs. Seebohm and Bendire, unite the two genera. In general 
appearance the European goshawk is, indeed, very like a large sparrow-hawk; 
having, in the male, the plumage of the upper-parts of a deep bluish grey, darker 
on the head and neck, with a light band above the eye; while beneath it is white 
transversely barred with greyish brown; the tail having four dark bars, and a 
white tip. In the female the upper plumage has a browner tinge; while the 
young bird is brown above, with five dark bars on the tail. The colour of the 
beak, cere, and limbs is nearly the same as in the sparrow - hawk. The male 
