The Pigeon Hawks 



still only two positive records of the bird's occurrence in California, one 

 feels sure that this paucity of records is due rather to our own inattention 

 than to failure on the bird's part. Indeed, one who knows the predilec- 

 tion of this "saturated" form of F. columbarius for the humid coasts, will 

 surmise that the Black Merlin is of regular though rare occurrence in 

 Humboldt and Del Norte counties, and will not be surprised to find it 

 breeding there. 



Of their occurrence further north Mr. J. H. Bowles says: 

 "During the fall and early spring they are most often to be met with in 

 the open prairie country, and on the extensive tide flats that are to be 

 found along Puget Sound. In such localities there is always an abundance 

 of the smaller migratory birds, which seem to make up almost the entire 

 sum and substance of their food supply. These, so far as I have seen, are 

 invariably caught on the wing, sometimes by a direct swoop, and at others 

 by the falcon trick of turning breast upwards. A thrilling illustration of 

 this last named habit came to my notice when half a dozen Tree Swallows 

 were teasing one of these Merlins as he was passing over a large marsh. 

 This passage at arms took place at a considerable height from the ground 

 and formed a most vivid picture. The Swallows carefully kept above the 

 Hawk so that he could not pounce upon them, and occasionally one, bolder 

 than the rest, would dive down and peck him on the back; but the larger 

 bird seemed to pay no attention whatever. Of a sudden — and it was 

 almost as much of a surprise to me as it must have been to the Swallow — 

 the apparently listless Hawk met one of these attacks by turning grace- 

 fully breast uppermost. He literally turned a half-somerset in midair, and 

 so accurately was the movement timed that the over-confident Swallow 

 flew directly into the outstretched talons of his enemy. 



"Occasionally grasshoppers and large dragon-flies are caught and 

 eaten, always when flying, and seemingly more for sport than for the 

 desire for food. In this connection I may express my belief that they often 

 take pleasure in the chase when not intending to kill, for I have seen one 

 repeatedly dash through a large flock of terrified Sandpipers without 

 apparently attempting to catch any of them." 



No. 32lb Richardson's Pigeon Hawk 



A. O. U. No. 358. Falco columbarius richardsoni (Ridgway). 



Synonyms. — American Merlin. Richardson's Merlin. 



Description. — Adults somewhat similar to F. columbarius but larger and much 

 lighter in coloration. Adult male: Above bluish dusky or brownish slaty gray as to 

 ground but much relieved by feather-skirtings of rusty brown, and by blackish shafts; 

 pileum and hind-neck chiefly rusty brown (nearly Prout's brown) finely streaked with 

 black; wings and tail brownish dusky, the former, both on remiges and covert feathers, 



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