RICHARDSON MERLIN 

 357b. Falco columbarius richardsonii. 12 in. 



Both adults and young are similar to the same of 

 the last species, but they are much paler colored, and 

 the tail is crossed by six light bars. The habits of this 

 species, which seems to have quite a limited range, are 

 precisely like those of the Pigeon Hawk. Like that 

 species, it flies swiftly, with rapidly beating wings, and 

 occasionally sails and soars. The under surface of the 

 wings is prominently barred, but not as much so as 

 that of the Pigeon Hawk; it is very conspicuous when 

 in flight. 



Nest. Either in hollow trees, or a rude platform of 

 sticks, usually not very high from the ground; eggs 

 buffy white, handsomely blotched with brown. (1.60 

 xl.25). 



Range. From the Miss, to the Rockies, and from 

 Mexico north to Saskatchewan, locally distributed. 



218 



