Goshawk

Goshawk (Astur), a genus of Falconidee, with 30 species universally distributed, except in some parts of South America, and differing from the true Falcons by having the bill without a notch. The Common Goshawk (A.palumbarius), formerly bred in Britain, but is now a rare visitor. The female, about two feet in length, is a little larger than her mate, and was used in falconry (q.v.), and in Asia goshawks are still employed to kill ground game. The plumage in both sexes is slaty blue above, with dark bars on the wings and tail; the under-surface is whitish with dark cross-bars.