402 NATURAL HISTORY. 



7. Bufeo horealis, (Gra.,) Vieill. — Red-tailed Hawk. " Hen Hawk." 

 ^Resident. Abundant, especially in winter. Very shy and w^ary. 

 Generally ^een upon the largest trees in open fields. 



8. Buteolineatus, (Gm.,) Jard. — Red-shouldered Hawk. "Chicken 

 Haw^k." Resident. Common. Habits much like those of the pre- 

 ceding, w^ith which it is generally confounded b}" farmers. 



9. JButeo j^ennsylvamcus, (Wils. , ) Bon. — Broad-winged Hawk. Very 

 rare; only occasionally observed. Specimens have been obtained iu 

 the market. 



[Nauderiis fui'catus, Vig. — Swallow-tailed Kite. As this bird goes 

 considerably further north, it doubtless is to be found in the District, 

 though we have never detected it.] 



10. Circus hudsonicus, (Linn.,) Vieill. — Marsh Hawk. Resident. 

 Very abundant. Generally seen over the marshes of the rivers, and 

 the wet meadows north of the city. 



11. Aquila canadensis^ (Linn..) Cass. — Golden Eagle. Apparently 

 not rare; individuals being observed or taken almost every winter. 

 Two specimens from this locality are now in the museum of the 

 Smithsonian Institution. 



12. Halicetus leiicocephahs^ (Linn.,) Savig. — Bald-headed Eagle. 

 Not rare. Frequently seen sailing along over the river and perched 

 upon stumps and snags upon the "flats." Resident. 



13. Fandion carolinensis, (Gm.,) Jard. — Fish Hawk. Osprey. 

 Common. Seen over the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, and upon 

 the branches of dead trees overhanging their banks. 



14. Scojjs asio, (Linn.,) Bon. — Screech Owl. The most abundant 

 as well as the smallest of the owls. This as well as the other owls 

 are comparatively seldom seen on account of their nocturnal habits. 



15. Bubo virgiiiianus, (Gm.,) Bon. — Great Horned Owd. "Cat 

 Owl." Not common. Sometimes offered for sale in the market. Sel- 

 dom seen, but its note often heard in woods, "making night hid- 

 eous. " 



16. Otiis wilso7iiamis, Lesson. — Long-eared Owl. More abundant 

 than the preceding. Seldom seen. Passes the day in hollow trees, 

 thick clumps of pines, &c. 



17. Brachyotuscassinii, Brew. — Short-eared Owl. Very abundant. 

 Less shy than preceding, and apparently more confused by the light 

 of day. Has been caught in the streets of the city. 



18. Syrniumnebulosum, (For at.,) Gray . — Barred Owl. Rare. But 

 a few specimens observed. Found chiefly in day time in close cedar 

 thickets, near farm houses. 



19. Nyctea nivea, (Daud.,) Gray. — Snowy Owl. Very rare: only 

 occasionally observed during the severest weather in winter. 



[Nyctale acadica may very probably be hereafter detected.] 



20. Goccygus americanus, (Linn.,) Bon. — Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 

 "Rain Crow." Very abundant, especially in spring and fall. Found 

 chiefly in open woods. Breed plentifully. Fresh eggs are often 

 found in a nest with young birds. Arrives May 1 : departs late iu 

 September. 



21. Goccygus erytliroplithalmus^ (Wils.,) Bon. — Black-billed Cuckoo. 

 "Rain Crow\" Less abundant than the preceding, but not at all 



