34 
FALCONIDiE. 
RAPTORES. 
FALCON I D/E. 
GOSHAWK. 
Astur palumbarius. 
PLATE XI. 
Mr. Low, in his “ Fauna Orcadensis,” says that the 
Goshawk is rather common there, breeding in the rocks 
of the sea-coast. Whatever may have been its numbers 
in his time, it is not now to be met with either in Orkney 
or the adjacent isles of Shetland. The peregrine falcon 
may sometimes be seen there; and I much suspect that 
it is the Goshawk of Mr. Low. 
The Goshawk is a scarce bird with us, and has rarely 
been detected breeding in this country. Mr. Selby says, 
that it “ is known to breed in the forest of Rothiemurchus 
and on the wooded banks of the Dee.” 
It is to be met with during the summer season in the 
extensive forests of Holland, Germany, and various parts 
of the Continent; and, Mr. Hoy informs me, builds its 
own nest, and, if undisturbed in its possession, will fre¬ 
quently occupy it for several years, making the necessary 
repairs. It is placed in some high tree on the outskirts 
of the forest, and is rarely found in the interior of the 
woodland, except in those parts which are cleared, and 
free from timber. 
The eggs are three or four in number, and are fre¬ 
quently hatched by the middle of May; they are, I 
belie\ e, foi the most part spotless, but are sometimes 
indistinctly marked with brown. 
