144 
ZOOLOGY. 
of the Cascade range, but I have never observed it in the forests or near the sea shore. I 
noticed their arrival at Puget Sound early in May, and have only once seen what I suppose 
to have been this bird after October, although at that time I noticed differences of form and 
flight, which led me to think it might be another species. In my notes it is recorded that, in 
the snowy January of 1854, at Vancouver, “I saw a hawk colored like the sparrow hawk, 
but apparently of a stouter form and different mode of flight.” I saw it only a few times, 
and was unable to obtain it. 
I remarked nothing in its habits not observed in the very complete accounts given of it as 
occurring in the Atlantic States.—C. 
I obtained several specimens of the F. sparverius , both at Puget Sound and Fort Dalles. 
They do not vary materially from those of other parts of North America, although, as in other 
situation, individuals vary slightly. In Oregon they are particularly numerous in the “oak 
openings ” at the base of the Cascade mountains. I found this bird exceedingly abundant 
along the upper Missouri and its tributaries, wherever there was timber, or, at least, where 
the timber was sparse. They are not generally abundant in the thickly wooded districts; and 
I never met them in a broad prairie country, unless in the vicinity of “timber islands” or 
wooded streams. 
It is exceedingly abundant on the Nisqually plains, Puget Sound, principally affecting the 
vicinity of small clusters of the oak. Those that I have noticed striking their prey, such as 
finches, small larks, &c., generally do so in the following manner: The hawk soars around and 
about the prairies at a short distance above the ground; upon discovering his victim quietly 
feeding in the grass, he makes a sudden downwards sweep, and generally succeeds in carrying 
off his victim. This hawk appears to delight in soaring about, in, and out of low trees, 
apparently for mere pastime. It also spends much time on the ground, probably in quest 
of grasshoppers and other insects. It is easily approached and killed. Two specimens sent 
from Puget Sound to the Smithsonian museum measured as follows: No. 346, 8, April 20, 
1856, 11, 23; No. 399, $, May, 1856, 11J, 23^ inches.—S. 
Sub-family ACCIPITRINAE. Slender Hawks. 
ASTUR ATRICAPILLUS, Bonaparte. 
The Goshawk. 
Falco alricapillus, Wilson, Am. Orn., VII, 80, pi. 52, fig. 3. 
Astur atricapillus, Bonap. Oss. Cuv. Beg. An., p. 33. 
A. atricapillus , (Wilson,) Baird and Cassin, Gen. Bep. Birds, p. 15.— Newberry, P. B. B. Bep., vol. VI., Zoology, 
p. 74. 
Falco palumbarius, Linn., Aud. B. of Am.; pi. 141; oct. ed., I. pi. 23. 
Sp. Ch.—A bove colored much like F. nigriceps, but much larger; and with the under parts mottled with narrow transverse 
lines of white and light ashy brown 
Young: above dark brown, mottled with light reddish; tail light ashy, with five wide brown bands; underneath white 
or tinged with red or yellow ; every feather with a brown stripe, mostly ending in an ovate spot. 
Female: length, 22 to 24; wing, 14; tail, 10£ to 11 inches. 
Male : length, 20 inches ; wing, 12£ ; tail, 9£ inches. 
No. 4516 (120,) Shoalwater Bay, January 20, 1855. 
Young female: length, 24 ; extent, 44 ; tail, 11.50. 
Iris yellow, bill bluish black and white, feet greenish yellow. 
