244 BULLETIN UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. [Yd. YJ. 



Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmel.) Eidgw. — ^American EougTi- 



legged Hawk. 



According to Mr. Eidgway is common in the fertile valleys, and ap- 

 pears resident in the western portion of the State. 



Aquila cJirysaetus canadensis (Linn.) Eidgw. — Golden Eagle. 



This species is not uncommon in the elevated mountain regions. They 

 were observed at Bull Eun Mountain, Mount Magruder, and other simi- 

 lar localities. Mr. Eidgway noticed them from the Sierra Nevada east- 

 ward, usually finding them in pairs. 



Haliceetus leucoceplialus (Linn.) Savig. — ^Bald Eagle; Gray Eagle. 



Like the preceding this bird was found in the vicinity of Pyramid 

 Lake,. where, according to Mr. Eidgway, it was rare. Dr. Cooper quotes 

 Gambel as saying that these birds were "held sacred by the Indians, 

 which will in a measure account for their abundance and protection 

 by the natives." This species is kept and protected by some of the 

 Pueblo Indians, and the Dakota and Absaroka Indians when hunting 

 this eagle for its feathers, seldom ever kill one, but catch them by selecting 

 an elevated peak where they hide in a cavity, which is then covered over 

 with grass and brush, uj)on which a rabbit or some other animal is se- 

 cured, so that when the eagle descends to grasp its quarry the bird is 

 seized by the legs and held until the confederates arrive, when the 

 choice feathers are plucked and the bird liberated. 



CATHAEDID^. 



CatJiartes aura (Linn.) lUig. — Turkey Buzzard. 



Arrives in the middle regions about the second or third week in March, 

 after which time it is common. Was also observed in the Colorado Val- 

 ley from Fort Mojave northward. 



COLUMBID^ 



Columha fasciata Say. — Band-tailed Pigeon. 



The only notice of this species as referring to the region under consid- 

 eration is that given by Mr. Eidgway, viz: " On the 19th of November, 

 1867, we saw a single individual of what must have been this species, 

 Hying to the southward over the Truckee Meadows. Its appearance 

 and size was very much that of the common House Pigeon, but from the 

 manner of its flight it was evidently a wild bird." 



JEctopistes migrator ia (Linn.) Sw. — ^Passenger Pigeon. 



This bird is considered an occasional straggler by Mr. Eidgway, only 

 one stray individual having been captured by him in the West Hum- 

 boldt Mountains in September. 



