BIRDS OF PREY 147 



bones and hair of the smaller quadrupeds ; also a number 

 of pellets ejected by the old birds. I am certain that 

 both birds occupy the nesting cavity at night, for there 

 was a depression in the end of the cavity which showed 

 signs of being occupied by one of the birds. 



" The nest contained five eggs, rather light in color for 

 this species. They have a yellowish brown appearance, 

 the color being almost solid but darker about the larger 

 ends." 



It is a matter of regret that Mr. Howard gives us no 

 record of how the adults conducted themselves during 

 the time they were being robbed ; also, that he did not 

 make a study of the feeding and nesting habits of the 

 birds with regard to incubation and care of the young, 

 as this is a field open for just such daring observers and 

 one where good work is needed. 



337 b. WESTERN RED-TAILED HAWK. — Buteo 

 borealis calurus. 



Family: The Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc. 



Length: Male 19.00-22.50 ; female 23.00-25.00. 



Adults : Varying from light grayish brown to uniform dark sooty brown ; 

 under parts white or buffy, with broad brown streaks on throat, belly, 

 and sides ; tail bright reddish brown in any phase, crossed by one or 

 more black bars. In the dark extreme the entire plumage except the 

 red tail is a dark sooty brown. 



Young: Darker throughout, and more heavily spotted; tail grayish 

 brown, barred with black bands. 



Geographical Distribution: Western North America, east "to Rocky 

 Mountains, south to Mexico. 



Breeding Range : Almost throughout the State of California. 



Breeding Season : March, April, and May. 



