262 
Lieut. C. H. T. Whitehead on the 
[1243.] Astur palumbartus. The Goshawk, 
Ward, J. B. N. H. S. xvii. p. 729 (rare). 
This species occurs on passage, but very rarely. 
Mr. Donald says that nets are set in four or five gorges 
in the independent territory north of Kohat. These nets 
average twelve feet in height, have a two-inch mesh, and are 
made to fit roughly the bottom of the gorge, while they are 
so arranged as to collapse when struck by anything. The 
Goshawk is thus occasionally taken in spring and autumn. 
Bonelli’s Eagle is its chief enemy and pursues both wild and 
trained birds for its prey. This is the favourite Hawk with 
the local Khans, but it is an expensive luxury, females costing 
from Its. 150 to Rs. 200 (£10-£13), and males from Rs. 50 
to Rs. 70. 
[1244.] Astur badius. The Shikra. 
Ward, J. B. N. H. S. xvii. p. 729 (Kashmir: rare). 
A summer visitor, arriving towards the end of March. 
Nests commonly in the Samilzai Valley. Large numbers 
are snared by means of a light cage formed of fine netting 
stretched over supports, and covered with nooses ; a live 
Quail is used as a bait. They are used for hawking Quail, 
and their price varies from 2 d. to Is. 
[1247.] Accipiter nisus. The Sparrow-Hawk. 
Rattray, J. B. IN. H. S. xii. p. 344 (Thall: occasionally 
seen; breeds in the Safed Koh); Marshall, op. cit. xv. 
p. 352 (not common; occurs in spring at Quetta); Fulton, 
op. cit. xvi. p. 59 (Chitral : shot one in May at 8000 ft.) ; 
Ward, op. cit. xvii. p. 729 (a resident in Kashmir). 
Occurs on migration in spring and autumn. Colonel 
Rattray mentions a young bird in down being brought to 
Parachinar in July from the Safed Koh. Mr. Donald tells 
me that this species breeds freely in Tirah, which lies just 
north of our limits, and that every autumn some thirty or 
forty individuals are snared along the Kachai stream, by 
means of a drop-net set up in the open, with a fine network 
cage containing Sparrows suspended in front. The Hawk 
