^%3!"'] PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 787 



eutly without cause, they fly forth aud seek some other tree, only to 

 repeat the performance which they keep up until darkness sends them 

 to their final n)osting place. Ordinarily stupid and easily approached, 

 they seem to he unusually suspicious at nightfall and occasionally fly 

 quite high, when their rapid powerful flight much resembles that of a 

 wild duck. Inner ring of iris brown-ocher, central portion chrome, 

 outer edge, orange; bill i)ale yellow, brightest on sides of upper mandi- 

 "*ble; naked skin around eye dusky lead color; toes lead color; nails 

 dusky. 



Family STBIGID.E. 



87. Strix pratmcola Eoiiap. 



Specimen .shot in a cultivated field at noontime. It had probably 

 been disturbed at its roosting place and seemed to be in a dazed condi- 

 tion, and was easily approached. 



Taken at Agua Azul, Guadalajara, February 4. 



Iris very dark brown. 



Family BUBONID.E. 



88. Bubo virginianus subarcticus (Hoy). 



Specimen taken in Guadalajara, May 30. 



89. Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea (Bouap.). 



A few specimens were seen in the State of San Luis Potosi, at the 

 Hacienda Angostura. Tiieir mounds were spread over a considerable 

 portion of a barren plain, and although the weather was stormy aud 

 unauspicious, being in December, as soon as the sun came out they 

 were seen standing on top of their little mounds, bowing gravely as one 

 approached. 



Family FALCONID^. 



90. Circus hudsonius (Liiin.). 



A common species in central Mexico. Specimen taken at Soledad, 

 San Luis Potosi, November 27. 



91. Buteo borealis calurus (Cass.). 



Exceedingly abundant through the whole central region. 



92. Urubitinga antlnaciua (Licht.). 



This bird has a peculiarly heavy awlc ward flight and seems to be very 

 stupid in comparison witli other hawks. It has also a most peculiar 

 voice. I Avas attracted from quite a distance by a curious harsh scpuxwk 

 which I at fiast took to be the note of a night-heron; following up the 

 sound my surprise was great to see a large dark- colored hawk perched 



