74 ZOOLOGY. 



for it ; and on the Des Chutes we saw scarce any of them ; but on the Columbia their numbers 

 increase, and below the Cascades they were very plenty. 



For the purpose of examining this bird in California, to determine for myself its identity or 

 otherwise with the turkey buzzard of the east, I took occasion to shoot one which was flying 

 over us in the upper part of the Sacramento valley. He made no motion indicating that he had 

 been struck by my shot, but sailed on with widely expanded and motionless wings as before. 

 Gradually, however, he began to descend in wide and regular circles, till, finally, without a 

 wing-flap, he settled as lightly as a feather on the prairie and remained motionless. 



I went to him, and found him resting in the grass, his wings still widely and evenly expanded, 

 but the head drooping and life extinct. It was a male, large, in fine plumage, and apparently 

 identical with ours ; then, too late, I regretted that I had been the cause of a death so calm and 

 dignified. 



HYPOTRIORCHIS COLUMBARIUS. 

 The Pigeon Hawk. 



The pigeon hawk is common about San Francisco, where I obtained specimens, and also at 

 San Jose, where it was obtained by Dr. Cooper. 



We found it paired and nesting about the Klamath lakes, and it likewise occupies all the 

 region south of the Columbia, in Oregon. 



TINNUNCULUS SPARVERIUS. 

 The Sparrow Hawk. 



Like the last, this little hawk is spread over the entire western coast. In the Sacramento 

 valley, in the interior basin, and in the mountains and valleys of Oregon, we found it every 

 where quite as abundant as in the eastern States. 



In the Sacramento valley I once saw a hard fought battle between a sparrow hawk and a 

 yellow-billed magpie ; unfortunately I could not stay to see the conflict ended. 



ASTUR COOPERI. 



Cooper s Hawk. 

 Common about San Francisco and Benicia, and extending north of the Columbia. 



ASTUR ATRICAPILLUS. 



Goshawk. 



This hawk is not uncommon about San Francisco and in southern California. We saw it but 

 rarely on our march northward, yet I think its range extends to the Columbia. 



ACCIPITER FUSCUS. 

 The Sharpshin Hawk. 

 Common in California San Francisco, Sacramento valley, San Diego. (Lieut. Trowbridge.) 



CIRCUS HUDSONIUS. 

 The Marsh Hawk. 



This bird is rather common in the Sacramento valley, and abundant beyond all parallel on 

 the plain of upper Pit river. I presume I saw several hundred marsh hawks, in a day s march, 



