1887.] Cooper on Birds of Ventura County, California. Ql 



5. Totanus solitarius (256). — I saw some of this species in winter, 

 near fresh water streams. 



6. Symphemia semipalmata (258). — This was a common shore bird 

 near the salt marshes in winter, as elsewhere on the coast of California, 

 and I think some remain to breed. 



7. /Egialitis semipalmata (274). — Also found on the seashore in win- 

 ter. 



8. Egialitis montana (2S1). — Small flocks came on the prairies near 

 Saticoy from the eastward, and I shot several in December. They arc 

 also brought from Sacramento Valley in winter to San Francisco. 



9. Buteo swainsoni (342). — I shot four of this species, chiefly in the 

 West Grove, where they came in flocks in September. Only one was of 

 the pale variety, which is rare near the coast. They remained common 

 during the next summer and I saw one on its nest in the grove April 29; 

 also several young about Santa Paula, July 8. 



(See notes on the flocking ofthis species, and other remarks in the 'New 

 Facts on Ornithology of California,' in Proc. Cal. Acad. Sciences, VI, 

 189.) 



10. Archibuteo ferrugineus (34S). I obtained two during the winter 

 and saw many more, besides some in summer which probably had nests 

 in the hills near by. 



11. Aquila chrysaetos (349). Not rare during my residence, and I 

 have several times been within fifty feet of them, both sitting and flying. 

 One was also offered me that was shot in the wing near town. Their de- 

 structiveness to lambs causes them to be shot without mercy by farmers, 

 and they are becoming scarce. Coming from the thinly peopled regions 

 of the north, or the mountains, all these Raptores are slow in learning the 

 fear of mankind. 



12. Falco mexicanus (355). I did not obtain a specimen but saw 

 what I thought to be this bird several times, generally distinguishable by 

 its light brown color, and its habit of frequenting the dry prairies away 

 from water. Common resident in Southern California. 



13. Falco peregrinus anatum(356). I shot one in the West Grove that had 

 nearly as pale brown color as the preceding. I have passed in a carriage 

 within ten feet of one on the Los Angeles plains, where it was so intent 

 on devouring a Duck it had captured as to pay no attention to our team. 



14. Falco columbarius (357). I shot three of this species in winter, 

 all agreeing with the typical form. 



15. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (364). I did not think Fish Hawks 

 worth shooting, but saw a few near the coast where the}' were then plenty 

 at all seasons, and little molested. 



The seven Raptores here given, but not seen by Evermann in Ventura, 

 must have become much rarer or more wary since Hived there. 



16. Sphyrapicus ruber (403). One specimen shot Novembe'1-7, near 

 Saticoy, was all I met with. 



17. Colaptes auratus (412). I shot one in the West Grove in Novem- 

 ber, and as it is everywhere rare on this coast, it may be considered a 



