March, iSgS. Birds of the Pacific Slope of Los Angeles County. 21 



ll')— jji". Ciiciis hudsonius (Linn.)- 



Marsh Hawl^. 

 Very common in the lowlands, especially in the vicinity of 

 swamps and wet pastures. Resident throughout the year, but some- 

 what more numerous in winter. Breeds commonly in May, laying 

 four or five eggs. 



116 — JJ2. Accipiter velox (Wils.). 



Sharr)-sh)inned liawl^. 

 Common in fall and winter throughout the county. Food, almost 

 entirely composed of small birds. This hawk is to a certain extent 

 nocturnal in habits. I have shot specimens long after dark as they 

 flew overhead outlined against the clear sky. They sometimes create 

 quite a disturbance after dusk, stealthily flitting through trees where 

 linnets are roosting, and without doubt preying on them. I have seen 

 Sharp-shinned Hawks in the mountains in every month of spring and 

 summer, so a few probably breed. 



117— jjj. Accipiter cooperii (Bonap. ). 



Cooper's Hawk. 

 Tolerably common resident along the foothills. Breeds late in 

 April. Ed. Simmons took sets of four eggs each, slightly incubated, 

 on April 28, '95, and April 26, '96. Both of these were in canons 

 north of Pasadena. 



113 — 337b. Buteo borealis caluriis (Cass.). 



Westero Red-tail. 

 This hawk is n^enerally of common occurrence throughout the 

 county. I saw adults and young in July, '97, on Mt. Waterman 

 (8500 feet). The breeding season is at its height the last week in 

 March. Extreme dates: Set of fresh eggs taken by Evan Davis near 

 Orange, Feb. 26 ('97); set 2, incubation advanced, taken in San Fer- 

 nando Valley, April 30 ('92), by H. A. Gaylord. Full sets are gen- 

 erally of two or three, but M. L,. Wicks, Jr., took a set of four eggs. 

 This hawk, in common with other species, is popularly known as Hen- 

 hawk or Chickenhawk, and is relentlessly killed whenever chance is 

 offered. I think the great increase in the numbers of ground squirrels 

 in some parts of the county is due in part to the destruction of hawks 

 and owls, which were formerly far more numerous than now. 



119 — 339b. Bziteo lineatus elegans (Cass.). 



Red-bellied Hawk. 



Tolerably common in the lower parts of the county, especially in 

 the oak and willow regions. Extent of breeding season, indicated by 

 the following instances: Set 4, slightly incubated, taken at El Monte, 

 March 15 ('97), by C. E. Groesbeck; set 2, incubation begun, taken 

 at Compton, May 22 ('92 ), also by C. E. Groesbeck. Sets are of two 

 to five eggs. 

 120 — 3^2. Buteo s'ucainsoni Bonap. 



Swainsoo's Hawk;. 



As far as I can learn this is only a spring and summer visitant. 

 On windy days, in late March and early April, large numbers are soau- 



