278 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



small outer branches of bushes bordering the water-course. 

 The nest was similar to that of the mourning dove. 



113. Columbi^allina passerina pallescens (Baird). 



Mexican Ground Dove. — Messrs. Xantus and Belding 

 found the ground dove abundant at the Cape region. It 

 was not common at any place that I visited; perhaps more 

 were seen about Comondu. The only one seen on Santa 

 Margarita Island was taken January 26, 1888, when it came 

 to a tank for water. 



114 Pseudogryphus californianus (Shaw). 



California Vulture. — Mr. Anthony is the only one who 

 has reported this species from the peninsula; he has ob- 

 served them at several places, from the sea level to an alti- 

 tude of 11,000 feet. From the fact of their primary and 

 secondary quills being prized by Mexican and Indian gold 

 miners for use in carrying gold dust, an opportunity to kill 

 a vulture is never allowed to pass unimproved. 



115. Cathartes aura (Linu.) 



Turkey Vulture. — Eeported by all observers to be 

 abundant. They were common on Magdalena Island, fre- 

 quenting the beach where cattle and turtles were slaugh- 

 tered. On Santa Margarita Island I counted twenty, early 

 one morning, perched on the tops of the giant cacti. The 

 offal from a turtle killed at midday attracted fourteen buz- 

 zards in less than three hours. During an exceedingly hot 

 day I saw a number of them gathered about a water-hole 

 at Pozo Grande. Mr. Anthony says that they range in sum- 

 mer from sea-level to an altitude of 11,000 feet, but are con- 

 fined to the sea-coast and lower hills in winter. 



116. Elanus leucurus (VieilL) 



White-tailed Kite. — Seen on several occasions by Mr. 

 Anthony along the coast near Cape Colnett in late fall. 



117. Circus hudsonius (Linn.) 



Marsh Hawk. — According to Mr. Belding it is common 

 in the Cape re.^ion, nnd was occasionally seen on his route 



