260 HEERMANN'S NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 



Pandion carolinensis, (Gmel.) This bird is quite common on the borders of all 

 the large rivers, during the summer season, but migrates south early in the fall. 



Elanus dispar, Temm. Abundant on the salt marshes, in the fall season, where 

 numerous specimens are to be seen hovering, in search of crickets and small 

 quadrupeds, which then form their principal nourishment. I have seen, at one time, 

 within one hundred yards of me, fourteen birds of this species, hovering over the 

 marshes in search of their prey. In the summer season they are found scattered 

 throughout the country in pairs, but generally in the immediate vicinity of water. 

 They incubate in California, as I have procured the yoang in July and August. 



Falco peregrinus? Linn. The two specimens that I obtained of this bird, were 

 shot in the plains near Sacramento city. They are small in their measurements, and 

 may possibly be a distinct species, but I cannot determine that question, as both of 

 mine are in their young plumage. I saw an unfledged young bird of this species 

 brought, for sale, to the San Francisco market. 



Falco columbarius, Linn. Common, 



TiNNiNCULUs sparverius, (Linn.) Abundant, and especially so in the northern 

 mountainous districts, where the Indians use in large quantities the tail feathers, to 

 feather their arrows. 



AcciPiTER cooPERii, (Pr. Bonap.) Abundant, and seen by Mr. Nuttall in Oregon. 



AccipiTER Fuscus, (Gmel.) Abundant. 



Circus uliginosus, (Gmel.) Abundant. 



Athene hypogcea, (Bonap.) Found in the valleys of California, where their 

 burrows are not rare. The nest is composed of a few straws placed at the end of a 

 winding burrow, varying from four to ten feet in length. The eggs are four in 

 number, pure white, and nearly spherical. On one occasion I observed a marsh- 

 hawk, (Circus uliginosus,) sailing over the prairies in search of food, come 

 suddenly over one of these owls, and pounce towards him. The owl turned around 

 and, facing the hawk, snapped his bill very quickly and loudly, and appeared by his 

 actions to surprise the hawk, who evidently was not accustomed to such resistance on 

 the part of his intended victims. Three or four times, the same manoeuvre was 

 repeated by the two birds, when I terminated the unequal contest, in regard to size, 

 by shooting the hawk. The owl immediately flew to his burrow, and thus disap- 

 pointed me in the wish that I had, to add him also to my collection. 



Athene infuscata, (Licht.) Surnia passerinoides of Aud. I met with but four 

 birds of this species, three of which I obtained in the day time, as they were perched 

 on the trees bordering the Caleveras river. They were gentle, unsuspicious, easily 

 approached, and, on dissection, I found their stomachs to be filled with crickets. The 

 cry of this species, at night, is a quick, oft-repeated note, resembling the cry of our 

 Ephialtes asio, but has neither the strength nor the peculiarly mournful tone of this 

 last bird. 



