BIRDS OF LOWER CALIFORNIA. 283 



134. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (OmeL) 



American Osprey. — Common at the Cape region, accord- 

 ing to Mr. Belding. Mr. Anthony considers them abund- 

 ant on all of the coast islands, and of less common occurrence 

 along the coast, On San Martin Island he found fullj- 

 fledged young, flying by April 12, while nests one hundred 

 feet away contained young, just hatched, or fresh eggs. 



On Cerros Island fish-hawks were common, but quite shy. 

 Nests were seen on the edge of the bluff above the beach. 

 They were common on parts of Santa Margarita Island. 

 They were mated when I first went to the island in January, 

 and were seen carr3dng material to their nests in the giant 

 cacti. I counted a dozen nests, January 19, 1888, upon five 

 of which were one or two birds. I saw one of the fish-hawks 

 chase a caracara eagle away from the neighborhood of her 

 nest. The eagle was not struck, but closely followed by 

 the osprey, which was trying to strike him. The osprey 

 easily outflew the caracara. 



Nests upon which the birds were seen January 19, 1888, 

 were without eggs on February 18. Two fresh eggs were 

 taken January 25, and a single incubated egg found in the- 

 same nest, February 18, undoubtedly the last of a set of 

 three. The lining of the nests was invariably of coarse sea- 

 weed. At two of the nests inspected were found the 

 weather-beaten remains of man -o'- war birds. 



135. Strix pratincola Bonap. 



American Barn Owl. — Given by Mr. Xantus from San 

 Jose del Cabo, in December and January, and at Caduana, 

 November 25. In the night of March 15, 1889, I heard the 

 scream of a barn owl as he flew overhead at Magdalena. 

 They were again heard at various places along the route 

 towards San Quintin. Mr. x4.nthony says they are common 

 in the northwestern part of the territory, up to an altitude 

 of 3,500 feet, inhabiting old mines. 



136. Asio wilsonianus (Less.) 



American Long-eared Owl. — Seen occasionally by Mr. 

 Belding betweei] Tia Juana and San Pedro Martir. 



