BUTEO SWAINSONI, 587 



aufl then they would niiso their wings and Imp briskly in pursuit of some 

 object, whicli, at the distance, we could not distinguish. Cautiously aj)- 

 proaching them, four were shot during the forenoon; they would not allow 

 us to walk to Avithin gunshot, but after flying for a few minutes would 

 sometimes return toward us, and, passing by, give us a iair o])portuiiity I'm- 

 wing-shots. Upon dissection, the stomachs of these specimens were found 

 to be filled entirely with the large crickets mentioned above. 



At our camp in Parley Park we reared four young birds of this species, 

 which were taken from their nests while in the downy state. As they grew 

 up under our care they became very pleasing pets, being exceedingly docile, 

 and much attached to those who fed them. "When sufliciently old to use 

 their wings they showed no disposition to leave, although they were 

 allowed full liberty all the while; and though they made frequent tours of 

 inspection over the neighboring meadows, and occasional foraging excur- 

 sions among the flocks of Blackbirds {Scolecophagns cijanocephalus) which 

 frequented the vicinity, they seldom went far away, and always returned 

 after a short absence. They were fed principally upon bits of fresh beef 

 and mutton, varied occasionally by the carcasses of birds we had skinned. 

 Their chief amusement about camp consisted in chasing grasslioppers over 

 the ground, which they pursued by leaping after them, with the wings 

 extended; but when not engaged in this occupation they usually perched 

 quietly upon the fence near by or upon the tents. 



TAst of specimens. 



109, 9 jiiv ; Big Bend of the Truckee CCamp 12), Nevada, Jiity 2G, 18G". IGA— 

 45_l.!_l(|i— 1— Ig— 64— .'5. Bill, (lull lilac-k, iiicliiiitiK to jwU" blue on the rictus ami 

 on the basal half of the lower iiiaiidilWe; cere, pale jellowisli ;,Meeii; iris, cinereous, 

 with a brownish outer wash ; tarsi aud toes, very pale ashy-green. 



11.'}, 9 (id. { fill ii/i nous pluwafji; parent of NOs. !()!», 115, IIG, aud 117); Camp 1-, 

 July 2!), l.S()7. 2'li— 53— 17— 14— I— L'— Sg— 5. Weight, 'ij pounds. Bill, slate-black, 

 light blue basallyjcere and rictus, pure light yellow; iris, deep hazel ; tarsi and toes, 

 light chrome-yellow; claws, black. 



114, (J ad. (normal plumage, mate of the precedhifi); Camp ll.', .Inly 29, 1SG7. 

 1!)J_.18_1G— 12|— 1^— Ig— 7.^— 4J. Weight, l-i pounds. Cere and rictus, light dull 

 lemon-yellow; tarsi and toes, deep chrome-yellow; iri.s, deep ha/.el. 



115, 9 jur.; Camp 12, 5uly 29, 1.SG7. 10:J-47-14-ll-f;;-lii— 74-33. 

 Weight, 2 pounds. Same remarks as to No. 109. 



