274 



KORTII A.MKUICAN BIRDS. 



Whether this is a progressive stiij^c of pUunage or a mere individual 

 peculiarity, I do not feel certain, but am inclined to llie latter opinion. 

 Both this specimen and tlie immature one described are labelled IJ. nlhuauta- 

 tes, Gray ; I have been unable to refer to (Iray's original description; if 

 there is no doubt of its being pertinent to the immature stage described, 

 then this will be the name of the si^ecies, as it has jiriority ; I shouhl much 

 regret, however, to discard tlie very appropriate and cliaracteristic name 

 zonocercus, for the other, as ^Ir. Sclater's species is so satisfactorily described 

 and accui-ately figured, while the original description of albunotatus is very 

 meagre and diitieult of reference. 



Habits. This Hawk is a ^Mexican and Guatemalan species which occa- 



Buteo zonocercus (adult). 



sionally strays into our borders in Arizona and in Southern California. Dr. 

 Cooper was the first of our naturalists to meet with this species within the 

 United States, shooting an imlividual on the 23d of February, 1862, thirty 

 miles north of San Diego, and within five of tlie coast. It was associating 

 with siiecimens of B. insigiudus and otlier Hawks wintering there, and seemed 

 rather sluggish and tame. He saw no other Black Hawks in tliat neighbor- 

 hood. Two years afterwards, September 24, 1864, Dr. Coues also procured 

 a single specimen on the Gila River. He regards the species as restricted, 



