FALCONID.E — THE FALCONS. 



307 



It was said to liuve been only a little less dark pluuiai,'ed than the male 

 parent. 



It is very aljundant throughout the Arctic regions, where it was found 

 breeding in the Anderson Paver country by Mr. MacFarlane, from wluun were 

 received valuable notes and a large number of specimens of birds and eggs. 

 It was observed generally by Dr. 

 Richardson's party, but owing to 

 its extreme wariness only a single 

 specimen was obtained. Itichard- 

 sou noted its arrival in the fur 

 countries in April or May, and 

 gives the time of its departure as 

 early in October. 



Dr. Kennerly mentions finding 

 this Hawk quite abundant in the 

 vicinity of the Pueblo Zuni, where 

 it confined itself in the neighbor- 

 hood of the stream, watching eager- 

 ly for ducks, which seemed to be 

 its favorite prey. 



Dr. Cooper found a large num- 

 ber of these Buzzards on a low 

 point near the sea-coasts, at Shoal- 

 ^^■ater Bay, Washington Territory, 

 in October. This point was cov- 

 ered with small pines, on the dead tops of which they were observed sitting 

 in the manner of owls. Occasionally one would dart down after a mouse, 

 and alight a short distance off. At times they would call to each other 

 with a loud scream, but they usually sat motionless and silent for hours 

 together. Some remained there throughout the winter, and he had no doubt 

 that a few build near tlie mouth of the Columbia, where he saw young 

 birds in July. In California, the same writer states, this species is only 

 a winter visitor, and has never been observed by him south of Santa Clara 

 Valley. 



Dr. Coues mentions the taking of a single specimen of this bird in the 

 Territory of Arizona in the winter, but no others were observed. 



Audubon never met with this species south of North Carolina nor west of 

 the Allecjhanies. He regarded it as a slusgish bird, confining itself to the 

 meadows and low grounds bordering the rivers and salt marshes, where its 

 principal food appeared to be moles, mice, and other small quadrupeds. He 

 has never known it to attack a duck on the wing, although it will occasion- 

 ally ptirsue a wounded one. E.xcept when alarmed, it files low and sedately, 

 and manifests none of the ilaring courage or vigor so conspicuous in most 

 Hawks. They are also described as somewhat crepuscular in habit, watching 



Arrhibuteo ta^opus (Europe). 



