Obs. This elegant little Hawk, is one of the most handsomely colored of the Rapacious Birds of North America, and is frequently met with. It is widely diffused, being common to all parts of the United States, and we have seen numerous specimens brought in collections from various parts of South America. The young bird has never been figured. Specimens from all parts of America are very similar, and we have seen the stages of plumage, which have been considered as indicating distinct species by eminent authors, but they do not appear to be constant, nor peculiar to any locality. II. SUB-FAMILY ACCIPITRINÆ. THE HAWKS. Bill short, hooked, upper mandible lobed, but not toothed. Wings rather short, tail long, and rather wide, tarsi rather long and slender, toes and claws long, the latter curved and sharp. Embraces forty to fifty species, amongst which are birds of all countries. They are very vigilant and active and swift of flight, and have as a peculiar character amongst the _Falconidæ_, the habit of pursuing their prey into woods and forests. I. GENUS ASTUR. Lacepede Mem. Inst. III. p. 506. SPARVIUS. Vieill, Anal. p. 24, (1816.) Leucospiea. Kaup, Class, p. 118, (1844.) General form, strong, but somewhat slender; bill short, curved, festooned; nostrils large, somewhat ovate, inserted in the cere. Wings moderate; tail, long and broad. Tarsi rather lengthened; covered in front with rather wide transverse scales; toes and claws, rather long, the latter sharp. This genus contains about twelve species of all countries. 1. Astur atricapillus. (Wilson.) The Goshawk. The Black-capped Hawk. Falco atricapillus. Wilson Am. Orn. VI. p. 80. (1812.) Falco regalis. Temm. P. col. I. (liv. 84 about 1827.) Dædalion pictum. Less. Traité d’Orn. I. p. 67. (1831.) Wilson Am. Orn. VI. pl. 52, fig. 3. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, pl. 26. Jard. and Selby, Ill. Orn. pl. 121. Aud. B. of Am. pl. 141, Oct. ed. I. pl. 23. Temm. Pl. col. 495.