130 RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA. 
The goshawk (Astur atricapillus) is of the same size with 
the fish-hawk, and in color is dark—a blu’sh-slate above, and 
mottled-white and light ashy-brown beneath. 
There are seventeen other hawks in the state, most of them 
small and rare. 
. § 98. Owls.—California has nine species of owls, namely: 
the barn, great-horned, screech, long-eared, short-eared, great 
gray, saw-whet, burrowing, and pigmy owls. All of them are 
found extensively on the continent, beyond the limits of our 
state, and all save the last two are common east of the Mis- 
sissippi. 
The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is ten inches long, 
ashy-brown above and whitish-brown beneath, variegated by 
spots and bands of white and dark-brown. Dr. Newberry 
says: “The burrowing owl is found in many parts of Califor- 
nia, where it shares the burrows of Beechey’s and Douglas’s 
spermophiles. We usually saw them standing at the entrance 
of their burrows. They often allowed us to approach within 
shot, and, before taking flight, twisting their heads about, 
bowed with many ludicrous gestures, thus apparently aiding 
their imperfect sight, and getting a better view of the intruder. 
When shot at and not killed, or when otherwise alarmed, they 
fly with an irregular, jerking motion, dropping down much 
like a woodcock at some other hole.” 
The pigmy owl (Glaucidiwm gnoma) is seven inches long, 
and inhabits the wooded districts. It flies about actively in the 
daytime, and appears to subsist chiefly on sparrows, which it 
catches in daylight. The general color is brownish-olive above 
and brownjsh-white beneath. 
§ 99. Road-runner.—The paisano, or road-runner ( G'eococcya 
californianus), is one of the most remarkable birds of the state. 
It lives almost entirely upon the ground, very rarely flies, and 
frequents the highways, along which it will run from any one 
approaching. Its speed is nearly equal to that of a common 
horse, and it often furnishes an exciting chase to the solitary 
rider. ‘It is abundant in the valleys and low hills, and makes 
