160 VAN DEXBURGH — BIRDS OF SANTA CLARA CO., CAL. [Nov. 17, 



large companies. They formerly nested near Los Gatos, and still 

 do so among the redwoods near Boulder creek, Santa Cruz county. 



Elanus leucurus. White-tailed Kite. 



I have never seen this beautiful hawk near Los Gatos. In the 

 vicinity of San Jose and Palo Alto, however, it is a common resi- 

 dent, and its nests are not infrequently found. It hunts in pairs 

 throughout the year. 



Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. 



Sharp-shinned hawks are very abundant in winter, both at Los 

 Gatos and Palo Alto, where they wage ceaseless war on the Juncos 

 and Zonotrichias. One was shot while trying to get at some quail 

 in a trap. I have never observed them in summer. 



Accipiter cooperi. Cooper's Hawk. 



I have seen but two specimens of this hawk, both at Los Gatos 

 in autumn. 



Biiteo borealis calui-us. Western Red-tail. 



This fine hawk is a very common resident in all parts of the 

 county. Measurements of a young bird, which was taken from a 

 nest near Palo Alto, April 30, 1893, ^.ud fed upon raw beef, show 

 great rapidity of growth : 



May I, length 5.86 inches, extent 7.00 inches, weight 145 grammes. 



" 2, '' 5.90 '' '' 7.05 "• '' 170 



'' 4, '' 6.50 '' *' 7.50 '' '' [90 



'' 6, " 6.75 '' ** 8.00 *' " 219 '' 



'* 8, '' 7.25 '' '' 8.50 " '' 250 



This bird was covered with soft down, pure white, except on the 

 top of the head, the scapular and interscapular areas, the dorsal 

 surfaces of the wings, and two bands running forward from each eye 

 to the cere, where the down was slightly tinged with slaty gray. 

 Pinfeathers were just beginning to appear along the sides of the 

 body. 



Buteo swainsoni. Swainson's Hawk. 



I have never seen this species at Los Gatos. It is not common at 

 Palo Alto, but specimens are occasionally killed. 



