goshawk

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • n goshawk large hawk of Eurasia and North America used in falconry
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • n Goshawk (Zoöl) Any large hawk of the genus Astur, of which many species and varieties are known. The European (Astur palumbarius) and the American (A. atricapillus) are the best known species. They are noted for their powerful flight, activity, and courage. The Australian goshawk (A. Novæ-Hollandiæ) is pure white.
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n goshawk A large noble hawk, Astur palumbarius, of the subfamily Accipitrinæ and family Falconidæ; the goose-hawk. The female is 23 or 24 inches long, the male smaller. The sexes are similar in color, slatyblue on the upper parts, cross-barred below with dark color on a whitish ground, the wings and tail barred. The young are dark-brown above, streaked lengthwise below. This bird flies low, and pursues its prey in a line after it, or in the manner called “raking” by falconers. The female is generally flown by falconers at rabbits, hares, etc., and the larger winged game, while the male is usually flown at the smaller birds, principally partridges. The American goshawk is A. atricapillus, a larger and handsomer species than the European, very destructive to poultry, and hence commonly known as hen-hawk or chicken-hawk. There are several others. See cut under Astur.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • n Goshawk gos′hawk a short-winged hawk, once used for hunting wild-geese and other fowl, not having a toothed bill, like the falcons proper.
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Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
AS. gōshafuc, lit., goosehawk; or Icel. gāshaukr,. See Goose, and Hawk the bird
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
A.S. góshafoc—gós, goose, hafoc, hawk.

Usage

In literature:

They swoop upon us like two goshawks on a heron.
"The White Company" by Arthur Conan Doyle
I could not anywhere come by a goshawk nor tassel of falcon.
"Gargantua and Pantagruel, Complete." by Francois Rabelais
He once offered the reversion in fee of an Irish leasehold for a goshawk.
"Sir Walter Ralegh" by William Stebbing
Truly there be more gowks in our good dukedom of Lancaster than either goshawks or hen-sparrows.
"Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 (of 2)" by John Roby
No tercelet for her, but the fiercest goshawk that e'er seized quarry.
"In Doublet and Hose" by Lucy Foster Madison
Goshawks are found in the Middle and Western States during the autumn and winter.
"Harper's Young People, February 24, 1880" by Various
This was that bloodthirsty and tireless slayer, the goshawk, or great grey henhawk.
"The Backwoodsmen" by Charles G. D. Roberts
When the knight wishes to send a message, he speaks in the ear of his 'gay goshawk that can baith speak and flee.
"The Balladists" by John Geddie
This sub-species is darker, both above and below, than the American Goshawk.
"The Bird Book" by Chester A. Reed
The scout was an exact replica of his, a model of the famous Goshawk type.
"Astounding Stories, February, 1931" by Various
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In news:

Goshawks are tenacious, aggressive hawks that prefer mature forest.
riverreporter.com
They will chase prey down by weaving through trees at full speed, and if you get too close to a goshawk nest in the spring, they will attack.
riverreporter.com
" Goshawks , as a rule, are pretty vocal, even the juveniles," she tells us.
birdersworld.com
Northern goshawks hang out in Pennsylvania's forests (in small numbers).
wqed.org
Reynolds has spent 42 consecutive summers searching Western forests for goshawks and other raptors , the past two decades on Arizona's Kaibab Plateau.
hcn.org
The biologist has spent 21 years counting goshawks and other raptors in Arizona's Kaibab National Forest.
hcn.org
A female goshawk stretches its wings on the arm of master falconer and biologist Steve Layman of Clinton during Raptor Day at the Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship, part of last weekend's Whidbey Island Farm Tour.
whidbeyexaminer.com
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