THE OOLOGIST. 



47 



at all seasons ia point of nnmbers by 

 C urubu. Beneficial in its habits it re- 

 ceives protection from men, as well as 

 by law. I cannot agree, however, that 

 it is "semi" or "partially domesticat- 

 ed," as so many writers express it. 

 Lays two cream-colored eggs more or 

 less blotched with brown. Nesting 

 sites; under clumps of chaparal; in 

 caves in arroya banks; and rarely in 

 hollow trees. Breeding dates April 

 and May. 



326. Catharista urubu. Black Vul- 

 ture The 'Carrion Crow" is the most 

 common member of the Order of Rap. 

 tores in the county; and like the pre- 

 ceding species receives loyal protection 

 in recognition of its good offices. Nest 

 complement consists of two eggs of 

 bluish-white background wiih large 

 blotches of deep brown. Readily dis- 

 tinguished from eggs of C. aura by 

 larger blotches, bluish-white back- 

 ground, greater size and more elongat- 

 ed form. Nests in holloa' trees and on 

 ground under chaparal brush. Breeds 

 from February to May. Immaculate 

 eggs are not rare. 



337. Elanoidesforficatus. Swallow- 

 tailed Kite. Very rare. I saw two 

 individuals of this species in May. 1898, 

 sailing leisurely toward the south. 

 These two are the only ones I have 

 ever seen in the county. 



329. Ictinia mississippien sis . Miss- 

 issippi Kite. Occurs only as a mi- 

 grant. Am very sure it does not breed 

 here. Were very plentiful during 

 spring migrations of '98. 



331. Circus hudsonius. Marsh 

 Hawk. Abundant during the winter 

 months and remains until quite late in 

 spring, though I do not think they 

 breed. 



332. Accipiter velox. SHARP-SHiNNEd 

 Hawk. Not at all common. Have 

 never found it breeding here. 



333. Accipiter cooperi. Cooper's 

 Hawk. Like foregoing rare, but seen 

 occasionally at all seasons. Think it 



breeds, though have failed to find its 

 nest. 



335. Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi. 

 Harris' Hawk Seldom seen at a dis- 

 tance greater than 20 es from th 

 coast. There ir. is mni 

 Nest of sticks, compactly constructed, 

 much like a Caracara's in structure, 

 though entirely different in material. 

 Placed near top of chaparal brush or 

 a small tree on prairie. Eggs plain 

 white or faintly marked with light 

 brown, 2 to 4 in number Early nesters, 

 fresh eggs being found the last week of 

 January. Breeding season extends 

 over several months 



337. Buteo borealis. Red-tailed 

 Hawk. The ordinary eastern variety 

 is tolerably common, and is resident. 

 Nests in prairie "mottes," in sparse 

 timber along water courses, or in deep- 

 er woods. Lays 3 eggs more common- 

 ly than 2. Breeds from first of March 

 through April. 



337a. /i7iteo borealis krideii. Krid- 

 ER's Hawk. This paler plumaged form 

 is found in greater numbers than the 

 foregoing. Nesting habits I found to 

 be identical to tho.ce of B. borealis and 

 the eggs indistinguishable. Breeding 

 dates about the same; probably some 

 earlier. 



337a. Biiteo borealis calurus. West- 

 ern Red-tailed Hawk. Rare. The 

 least ooninion of the three Redtails in- 

 habiting this county. 



339a. Buteo lineatus alleni. Florida 

 Red shouldered Hawk. Not at all 

 common, though occurring sparingly 

 at all seasons. 



341. Buteo albicaudatus sennelti. 

 White-tailed Hawk. A tolerably 

 common resident. Pre-eminently a 

 Ha^k of the prairie. Nest, a rather 

 shallow, wide structure of sticks with 

 little or no lining, placed in top of bush 

 or small tree on prairie o to 20 feet 

 from ground. Lays 2 white eggs, ob- 

 scurely marked. Breeds in March, 

 April and May. 



