20 ZOOLOGY. 



Been they were always hunting the marshes closely for their prey ; flying low around and 

 around, from point to point, and occasionally suddenly turning as if to examine more closely 

 some place just passed. When encamped near such places we neldom failed to see three or four, 

 particularly towards the close of the day, engaged in searching food. 



7. CRAXIREX UNICINCTUS, Cassin, (p. 46.)— Harris' Buzzard. 



9134. New Mexico, February 27, 1854. (179.) Kennerly & MOllhausen. 



The only specimen of this bird that we saw we procured from the Mohave Indians, on the 

 Great Colorado river, who had captured it alive by some means. 



8. BUBO VIRGINIANUS, Bon. (p. 49.)- Great Horned Owl. 



Little Colorado, New Mexico.— 9154. Camp No. 98, New Mexico. (46.)— 9158. Sixth 

 Camp, Little Colorado, December 15, 1853. (37.) Kennerly & Mollhausen. 



"When encamped in the dark forest, or near a canon with rough and rugged sides, the still- 

 ness of the night was generally broken by the dismal cry of this owl, " hooting hoarse court- 

 ship to his ill-omened paramour." Occasionally allured by our camp fires he would sweep 

 around our heads for a while, then disappear again in the darkness to render his dismal notes or 

 hunt his prey. The specimens that we procured were caught or shot in the deep and dark 

 caiaons that we passed, where they made their homes among the cliffs along the sides. Some- 

 times frightened by the loud and reverberating report of a gun in these places, they would 

 creep among the rocks^ attempting to conceal themselves, and were thus captured alive. 



9. SCOPS M'CALLI, Cassin, (p. 52.)— Western Screech Owl. 



9147. Camp 118, New Mexico, February 10, 1854. Kennerly & Mollhausen. 



This singular little owl we observed only on Bill Williams' Fork. There he lives in the 

 large cactus of that region, {Cereus giganteus,) occupying the deserted holes of various species of 

 woodpeckers. He seldom makes his appearance during the day, and when he does, it is only 

 to show his head from his hole, ready at any time to disappear in a moment upon the approach 

 of danger. On one occasion we observed him among some very thick bushes near the water. 



10. OTUS WILSONIANUS, Lesson, (p. 53.)— Long-eared Owl. 



9146. Camp 107, New Mexico, January 28, 1854. (57.) Kennerly & Mollhausen. 



The only specimen of this bird that we saw was killed in a canon, a short distance west of the 

 Aztec mountains. The cafions of that country aiford good places for the nests of these birds, 

 which they build in common with the crow, and some of the hawks, along the ])reci{)itous cliffs 

 that compose the sides of these canons. Tlie place generally selected is one unapproachable 

 by the wolf and lynx, the unceasing enemies of their young. 



11. ATHENE CUNICULARIA, Bonap. (p. 60.)— Burrowing Owl. 

 9168. Los Angeles, California, March 4, 1854. (191.) Kennerly & Mollhausen. 



