GOS'HAWIC, Astur, a genus of faZconirke (q.v.), distinguished from the true falcons by a lobe or festoon, instead of a sharp tooth, on the edge of the upper mandible, and by the shortness of the which reaches only to the middle of the tail. It is more nearly allied to the sparrow-hawks, from which it is distinguished by its more robust form, by its shorter legs, and by the middle toe not being elongated, as in that genus. The species to which the name goshawk originally and strictly belongs (A. palumbarius), is very widely diffused over Europe, Asia, the north of Africa, and North America, chiefly inhabiting hilly and wooded regions. It is now very rare in Britain, particularly in England. Although one of those that were called ignoble birds of prey, it }vas much used for falconry, being easily trained, and very successful in catching such game as is either confined to the ground, or does not rise far from it or such as is to be found in woods, through the branches of which the goshawk readily threads its way in pursuit.
The goshawk was thus flown at hares, rabbits, pheasants, partridges, etc. It ordinarily seeks its prey by flying near the ground, and can remain a very long time on the wing. It follows its prey in a straight line, not rising in the air to descend upon it, like the falcons; and when baffled by the object of pursuit entering a wood and hiding itself in some covert, will perch on a bough, and await its reappearance with wonderful patience for many hours. Its flight is very rapid. The goshawk builds in trees. Its nest is very large. The female, which is much larger than the male, is about two feet in entire length. Both sexes are of a dark grayish-brown color, the upper surface of the tail feathers barred with darker brown; there is a broad white streak above each eye; the under parts are also whitish, with brown bars and are found in India, south Africa, Australia, etc.