RED-BELLIED HAWK 207 



Dr. Harold C. Bryant (1921) found in the stomach of one bird a 

 number of insect remains, inchiding larvae of a hawk moth {Pachy- 

 sphynx rnodesta) : 



This caterpillar when full-grown is from two to two and one-half inches In 

 length, of a light green color, with yellow lines on the head and along the sides 

 of the body, and feeds on various species of willow. Eight of these caterpillars 

 were found in the hawk's stomach together with the remains of two mole crickets 

 {Stenopelmatus, sp.), one beetle {Coniontis, sp.), one ground beetle (unidenti- 

 fied), and some grass and pieces of wood that doubtless were picked up with the 

 food. 



W. Leon Dawson (1923) says that if this hawk "rises on occasion to 

 a ground squirrel or a brush rabbit, he oftener descends to fence lizards 

 and frogs, or even insects," 



Behavior. — The red-bellied hawk does not differ materially in habits 

 or voice from its eastern relative ; the resemblance is striking. Mrs. 

 Wheelock (1904) says: 



The Red-bellied Hawk is exceptionally fond of bathing, and in California it 

 usually builds within a hundred yards of water. Both adults indulge in a daily 

 bath, returning to the same place at about the same hour for it. 



Laurence M, Huey (1913) saw a pair of these hawks make an attack 

 on a nest of Pacific horned owls containing young : 



The three young were rather large and partly feathered. As the old bird left 

 the nest a pair of Red-bellied Hawks set out in pursuit. One continued to chase 

 the old owl, while the other hawk returned and robbed the nest of one of the 

 young owls This was torn to pieces and eaten in a nearby tree. 



In view of the prevailing impression that these hawks are disap- 

 pearing rapidly, the following remarks by Mr. Dixon (1928) are 

 encouraging : 



In 1907, I personally visited and either collected a set of eggs from, or 

 located, the nests of seven pairs of Red-bellied Hawks in the northern end 

 of San Diego County, and in 1927, twenty years later, I made it a point to 

 renew my acquaintance with these seven locations. In every instance I found 

 a pair of hawks still resident in the same general locality. * * * 



Twenty years ago it was a common practice for everyone traveling through 

 the country to carry along a shotgun, and any bird of prey was considered a 

 good target. This condition does not exist at present, as the cost of am- 

 nnmition has increased, the game laws are being enforced, and, last and most 

 important, the people are becoming educated to the fact that our hawks and 

 owls have their economic place in the well-being of the farmer, and they are 

 seldom shot. Other changes are taking place which make the outlook in this 

 section more cheerful for a continuing number of these beautiful birds to live 

 here. A few years ago not far from where I live there was a long strip of 

 river bottom in which resided a single pair of Red-bellied Hawks. Today, this 

 same stream has been dammed and where the river bottom used to be there 

 is a lake, and along the shores of this lake, in the same area which used to 

 support a single pair of birds, three pairs now live, and all of them seem 

 to thrive and find plenty of food. This has proven conclusively to me that 

 if food supply conditions are right, the existing birds will breed up to fill 

 in this favored area or less favorably situated birds will move in to fill the gap. 



