130 EESOUECES OF CALIFOENIA. 



The goshawk (Astur atriccqnllus) is of the same size with 

 the lish-hawk, and in color is dark — a bhi'.sh-slate above, and 

 mottled- white and light ashy-brown beneath. 



There are seventeen other hawks in the state, most of them 

 small and i-are. 



§ 98. Oiols. — California has nine species of owds, namely : 

 the barn, great-horned, screech, long-eared, short-eared, great 

 gray, saw- whet, burrowing, and pigmy owls. All of them are 

 found extensively on the continent, beyond the limits of our 

 state, and all save the last two are common east of the Mis- 

 sissippi. 



The burrowing owl [Athene cunicularia) is ten inches long, 

 ashy-brown above and whitish-brown beneath, variegated by 

 spots and bands of white and dark-brown. Dr. Newberry 

 says : " The burrowing owl is found in many parts of Califor- 

 nia, where it shares the burrows of Beechey's and Douglas's 

 spermophiles. We usually saw them standing at the entrance 

 of their burrows. They often allowed us to approach within 

 shot, and, before taking flight, twisting their heads about, 

 bowed with many ludicrous gestures, thus apparently aiding 

 their imperfect sight, and getting a better view of the intruder. 

 When shot at and not killed, or when otherw^ise alarmed, they 

 fly with an irregular, jerking motion, dropping down much 

 like a w^oodcock at some other hole." 



The pigmy owl ( Glaucidhim gnorna) is seven inches long, 

 and inhabits the w^ooded districts. It flies about actively in the 

 daytime, and appears to subsist chiefly on sparrows, which it 

 catches in daylight. The general color is brownish-olive above 

 and brownish- white beneath. 



§ 99. Hoad-runner. — The paisano, or road-runner ( Geococcyx 

 calif ornianus)^ is one of the most remarkable birds of the state. 

 It hves almost entirely upon the ground, very rarely flies, and 

 frequents the highways, along which it will run from any one 

 approaching. Its speed is nearly equal to that of a common 

 horse, and it often furnishes an exciting chase to the solitary 

 rider. It is abundant in the valleys and low hills, and makes 



