26 



U. S. p. R. E EXP. AND SURVEYS — ZOOLOGY — GENERAL REPORT. 



List of specimens 



BUTEO MONTANUS, Nuttall. 

 The Western Red-tailed Hawk. 



Bvieo montanus, Nnix. Manual Orn. U. S. I, 112, (1840.) 



Falco buteo, (Linn.) Aud. Orn. Biog. IV, 508. 



Falco buleo, (Linn.) Rich, and Sw. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds. 



Buteo borealis, (Gm.) Gray, Gen. I, p. 11. 



" Buieo Sioainsonii, (Bp.)" Bonap. Consp. Av. p. 19. 



Buleo Swainsonii, Bonap. Cassin B. of Cal. and Texas, 1, p. 



98 



FionREs. — Aud. B. of Am., pi. 372, Oct. ed., I, pi 



Mult female. — Throat and neck before dark brown mixed with white ; the brown color more extended and with the abdomen, 

 tibiae and under tail coverts much more tinged witli rufous than in B. horealis. Tibite distinctly barred transversely with 

 rufous. Size rather larger. General appearance similar to Buteo horealis, but rather larger, and with the wings longer ; 

 throat and neck before brown ; breast and abdomen white, with a very pale fulvous or rufous tinge ; sides with numerous nar- 

 row lanceolate and oblong spots of dark brown and rufous ; abdomen with a broad transverse band composed of spots of the 

 same description. Tibial feathers pale rufous, with numerous transverse bands of a darker shade of the same color. Under 

 wing coverts pale yellowish white, with brown spots. Tail above bright rufous narrowly tipped with white, with a subterminal 

 band of black, and a few indications of transverse stripes near the shafts of the feathers. Upper parts of the body dark umber 

 brown, with partially concealed ashy white and pale fulvous spots and transverse bands, especially on the scapulars and shorter 

 quills. Upper tail coverts reddish white, with transverse bands of dark brown. Bill dark bluish ; tarsi and toes yellow. 



This plumage can only be distinguished from B. borealis by its larger size, the greater extent of the dark color of the throat, 

 and the prevalence of the rufous color of the abdomen and tibice. In some specimens, however, the abdomen is nearly pure 

 white. Another plumage of this bird, apparently adult, of both sexes is as follows, and is the most easily recognizeJ^f any 

 stage : 



^dult male and female. — Like the preceding, but with the under parts pale rufous, lighter on the breast, some feathers, 

 especially on the abdomen, having longitudinal lines and spots of dark brcwn. Tiljite rufous, with transverse bars of a darker 

 shade of the same color. Tail bright rufous ; tip paler, with a subterminal band of black. This second plumage, described 

 above, we have never seen in Butfo borealis. 



Young. — Upper parts dark brown, edged and spotted jpith white tinged with rufous. Under parts white, with large ovate 

 and sagittate spots of dark brown more numerous on the abdomen Tibial plumes and under tail coverts white, with transverse 

 bars and spots of dark brown. Tail above ashy brown, with transverse bands of dark brown, nearly black. Bill dark bluish 

 black, or slate color ; tarsi and toes dull greenish. 



