FALCONID^ — THE FALCONS. 303 



coarse twigs and lined with grasses ; the eggs were two in number, white 

 with faint brown dashes. The nest was placed in the centre of a large 

 bunch of mistletoe, and would have escaped notice had not the Hawk, in fly- 

 ing, betrayed her retreat. 



The eggs, however, differ essentially in size from those mentioned by Capt. 

 Blakiston, and it is quite possible that Dr. Heermann was mistaken in his 

 identification. One of these eggs was figured in the North American 

 Oology, and resembles much more an egg of Swainson's Buzzard than any 

 egg I have since seen of this species. 



The specimens procured by Mr. Kerr were taken in the Tulare Valley, 

 in January, 1846, and are stated in his notes to have been remarkably fat, 

 and in excellent condition generally, so that some of his party shot these 

 birds whenever opportunity offered, for the mess-kettle, and considered them 

 very good eating. 



Dr. Cooper states that in the sjDring and fall these Hawks abound in 

 Southern California, migrating in summer through the interior plains of the 

 Columbia and the Platte Eivers, at least as far north as the Dalles. He found 

 it in winter at Martinez, and is of the opinion tliat few migrate beyond the 

 State. It was usually to be seen slowly sailing over the plains, sometimes 

 in circles, and occasionally pouncing down obliquely on its prey, which con- 

 sists principally of the large ground squirrel. It rarely, if ever, attacks 

 poultry, and limits its jDrey to wild animals, and is therefore a decided friend 

 to the farmer. 



Capt. Blakiston met with this bird breeding between the north and the 

 south branches of the Saskatchewan Eiver, April 30, 1858. The nest was 

 placed in an aspen-tree, twenty feet from the ground, was composed of sticks, 

 two and a half feet across, and lined with buffalo wool. The eggs were four 

 in number. Those taken from another nest near the same locality were five 

 in number. This nest was in a tree, and was only ten feet above a lake. 

 Two eggs were taken by Mr. Bourgeau on the Saskatchewan Plains, July 9. 

 These differences in seasons, from April to July, are suggestive either of great 

 variations in the time of nesting, or of there being two broods in a season. 

 The eggs obtained by Capt. Blakiston measured, one 2.60 by 2.00 inches, the 

 other 2.50 by 1.95 inches, and are described as having been white with large 

 distinct blotches and smaller specks of two shades of brown. The other was 

 more obscurely blotched with a paler brown, and at the same time freckled 

 all over. 



An egg of this species taken by H. E. Durkee near Gilmer in Wyoming 

 Territory, May 9, 1870, measures 2.43 inches in length by 1.95 in breadth. 

 The ground-color is a creamy white, over which are very uniformly distrib- 

 uted on every part of the egg, in nearly equal proportions, blotches, plashes, 

 and smaller markings of a dark burnt umber. The nest from which this egg 

 was taken was composed of sticks, and was placed among rocks. The nest 

 contained but one egg. The parent bird was secured, and there w^as no 

 question as to identification. 



