MR. GAMBEL ON THE BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA. 27 



8. B. swAiNsoNi, Bonap. Rocky Mountain Buzzard. 



Buteo montana, Nutt. Man., p. 112, 2d ed. 

 B. vulgaris, Aud., pi. 372, et auc. 



This species was first brought from the fur countries by Richardson, who con- 

 sidered it identical with the European Buteo vulgaris. 



Bonaparte, in his comparative list of the birds of Europe and America, distinguishes 

 it by the specific name of Swainsoni, quoting Audubon's description and plate of the 

 specimen brought from Oregon by Townsend, 



My friend Nuttall retains the common buzzard as an inhabitant of the fur coun- 

 tries, on the authority of Richardson, and refers Bonaparte's synonym to that species, 

 describing this, which he considers sufficiently distinct, under the name of White- 

 throated Buzzard, Buteo montanus. 



Richardson describes the nest as containing from three to five eggs, equal in size 

 to those of the common fowl, and of a greenish white colour, with a few dark brown 

 blotches at the thick end. 



A. L. Heermann, M. D., during a recent trip to the prairies, found this species 

 breeding near the Platte River, and also procured the eg^, of which he kindly 

 furnished me with a drawing and description. It is considerably smaller than that 

 of the European buzzard, and differs from it in being pure white, with a few dark 

 brown blotches on the smaller end, while the latter is of a bluish or greenish tinge, 

 with faded marks of a neutral tint, apparently sunk into the shell, and scattering 

 blotches of dark brown. The account given me of its nest by Dr. Heermann agrees 

 so exactly with that of Richardson, that I have no doubt of its being the same bird. 



EL ANUS, Sav. 



9. E. LEUcuRus, Bonap. White-tailed Elanus. 



This active, beautiful hawk, is not unfrequent in California. At the Mission of 

 St. John, between Monterey and the Bay of St. Francisco, I procured three speci- 

 mens in one day. It flies low and circling over the plains in the manner of a marsh 

 hawk, feeding on the small birds which are so abundant on the ground. It is easy 

 of approach when perched on trees, and utters a very loud shrill cry, particularly 

 when wounded and caught, at the same time fighting viciously. 



FALCO, Linn. 



10. F. ANATUM, Bonap. Peregrine Falcon. 



F. peregrinus, Wils., Aud. 

 Occasionally seen along the coast, nesting on cliffs near the sea. 



11. F. coLUMBARius, Linn. Pidgeon Falcon. 

 Common throughout the Western coast. 



