46 [April, 1846. 



in size to those of the common fowl, and of a greenish white colour, with 

 n few dark brown blotches at the thick end. Townsend, who brought it 

 from the Rocky mountains, found it breeding there in July, the nest con- 

 Mining two white eggs. 



A. L. Heermann, M.D., during a recent trip to the prairies, found this 

 species breeding near the Platte River, and also procured the eggs, of which 

 he kindly furnished me with a drawing and description. It is considerably 

 smaller than that of the European buzzard, and differs from it in being pure 

 white, with a few dark brown blotches on the smaller end, while the latter is 

 of a bluish or greenish tinge, with faded marks of a neutral tint, apparently 

 sunk into the shell, and scattering blotches of dark brown. The account 

 given me of its nest by Dr. Heermann agrees so exactly with that of Rich- 

 ardson, that I have no doubt of its being the same bird. 

 Elanusleucurus, Bonap. White-tailed Elanus. 



This active, beautiful hawk, is not unfrequent in California. At the mission 

 of St. John, between Monterey and St. Francisco, I procured three specimens 

 in one day. It flies low and circling over the plains in the manner of a 

 marsh hawk, feeding on the small birds which are so abundant on the 

 ground. It is easy of approach when perched on trees, and utters a very 

 loud shrill cry, particularly when wounded and caught, fighting viciously. 



Falco anatum, Bonap. Peregrine Falcon. 



Occasionally seen along the coast, nesting on cliffs near the sea. 

 Falco Columbarius, Linn. Pidgeon Falcon. 



Common throughout the Western coast. 

 Cercneis Sparverius, Linn. Sparrow Hawk. 



This familiar little species is abundant throughout the country. 



Astur Fuscus, Gmel. Sharp-shinned hawk. 



Our pugnacious and daring little marauder appears to be distributed 

 over the whole of N. America. 



Astur Cooperii, Bonap. Cooper's Hawk. 



The most remarkable similarity exists between the plumage of this spe- 

 cies and the former in every age ; and although the great difference in size 

 renders it impossible to mistake them, I think that if we depended upon 

 the plumage alone, no sufficiently distinguishing marks could be given. 

 We find, in fact, in every department of natural science, that those cha- 

 racters, which in one genus or family can be relied upon as showing 

 specific differences, are, in others, almost useless, or at best perplexing. 



This bird is common throughout the Pacific coast. 



^trigiceps uliyinosus, Gmel. Marsh Hawk. 



In low valleys or marshes throughout California, the Rocky mountains, 

 and New Mexico, we are sure to find this widely disseminated species. 

 Bubo Vii-ginianus, Grmel. Great Horned, or Cat Owl. 



Common in the wooded regions of Upper California, 



