68 POINT LOBOS RESERVE 



White-crowned Sparrow 



This bird is a conspicuous feature of that narrow coastal portion of 

 California typified by Point Lobos. It is predominant in the brushland, 

 and its welfare here requires freedom from disturbance by unnatural 

 changes in this type of habitat. 



Approximately 150 pairs are found in the Reserve at the beginning of 

 the nesting season. 



All through the year this bird stays in the same general type of habitat— 

 the bush-covered portions of the Reserve. All kinds of bushes are occupied 

 to some extent, but lupines appear to be more suitable than any other. This 

 bird forages a great deal on the ground between, and a short distance out 

 from, the bushes, as well as within their foliage. It returns to the bushes 

 for cover and for lookouts from which it can see approaching dangers. 

 Greneral types of food obtained in these situations vary widely, including 

 as they do the ripened seeds of the plants, the green leaves of plants, and 

 insects. It is especially interesting to watch the scattered flocks forage out 

 over the open ground, yet keeping close to the bushes. 



These sparrows sing much during the spring, with a clear, full song, and 

 occasionally they are heard at night, and during the summer. 



Raptorial Birds— Hawks, Eagles, Owls 



Thirteen species of hawks, eagles, and owls have been observed at Point 

 Lobos. These birds exert steady pressure on the populations of smaller 

 animals and thus they provide the necessary curb to over-population by 

 such creatures. The surest means for keeping the raptores is to maintain, 

 uninvaded by trails, roads, and other hum.an works, certain habitat ' ' reser- 

 voirs." Suitable ones occur only in the main area of pine woods and in the 

 vicinity of Whalers Knoll. It seems certain that the visits of golden eagles 

 are due to the presence of these "reservoirs," and of ground squirrels as 

 a food source appropriate to this large bird of prey. 



The most conspicuous kind of hawk at Point Lobos is the red-tail. One 

 or two individuals of this species are seen almost every day. In frequency 

 of observation this species ranks about equal to the sparrow hawk, which 

 nests in the Reserve and is also present continuously. 



Though the sharp-shinned hawk is not such a frequent visitor to the 

 Reserve, encounters with one by even the casual observer are likely to be 

 remembered. When the hawk makes a dash there is a frantic exodus of 

 small birds from the vicinity, and they are loath to leave cover for some 

 time after a sharp-shinned hawk has been sighted. 



Grinnell and Linsdale reported that during their study of the area, one 

 or two or three golden eagles occasionally visited Point Lobos from some- 

 where off to the east. An encounter between an eagle and two duck hawks 

 w:as watched in the early afternoon of March 30, 1935. The eagle appeared 

 to be looking for ground squirrels near the parking place by the base of 

 Cypress Point. It flew westward, poising against the wind until it came 

 nearly to a cliff where there were two duck hawks. Then these birds came 

 out and the eagle promptly turned back landward, the falcons diving at 

 it alternately, one or the other screaming constantly. At least three times, 

 as a falcon dashed down at the eagle, the eagle rolled over so as to meet 

 the assault from above, with talons extended upward toward the attacker. 

 It could not be seen that there was actual contact at any moment, but the 

 bluff worked. The eagle was obviously on the defensive and made for the 



