The Zone-tailed Hawk 



wing 393.7 (15.50); tail 222.25 (8.75); tarsus 63.5 (2.50). Adult female, length 533.4 

 (21.00); wing 431.8 (17.00); tail 247.6 (9.75); tarsus 69.85 (2.75). 



Recognition Marks. — Crow size; coal black plumage with black and white 

 banded tail (seen from below) distinctive. Tail-coverts not white, as distinguished 

 from Harris's Hawk. 



Nesting. — Not known to breed in California. Nest: Of sticks, lined with bark 

 and green leaves; placed high in trees. Eggs: 2; pale bluish white, sometimes lightly 

 marked with dull reddish brown. Av. size 54.4 x 43.5 (2.14 x 1.67); index 78.1. 

 Season : May. 



General Range. — Lower Sonoran zone from western Texas to Arizona, and south 

 through Mexico and Central America to Venezuela and Brazil; casual in southern Cali- 

 fornia. 



Occurrence in California. — Casual near San Diego; three records. 



Authorities. — Cooper (Buteo zonocercus) , Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., vol. iv., 1868, 

 p. 7 (near San Diego) ; Linton, Condor, vol. x., 1908, p. 181 (National City) ; Grinnell, 

 Condor, vol. xi., 1909, p. 69 (30 mi. n. San Diego) ; Grey, Condor, vol. xix., 1917, p. 103 

 (San Diego); Mearns, Auk, vol. iii., 1886, p. 60 (Ariz. desc. breeding habits, adult, 

 young, etc.). 



BRIEF INQUIRY suffices for a species which has transgressed our 

 southern borders upon only three occasions. Needless to remark, the 

 three offenders were promptly delivered over to scientific justice, and 

 are now doing time in zinc-bound cells in two of our more notable museum 

 prisons. Thus do we restrain presumptuous enterprise, and vindicate 

 our regard for the established order of things. 



The Zone-tailed Hawk is a black Buteo which enjoys — or suffers 

 — an extended southern range, from southern Arizona, New Mexico, and 

 Texas, to northern South America. Although of regular occurrence in 

 the states named, the first United States record for this species was made 

 near Escondido, California, by Dr. J. S. Cooper, Feb. 23, 1862. It has 

 been reported by Mr. Anthony as a common species in the San Pedro 

 Martir range of Lower California, and it would doubtless have estab- 

 lished itself long before this in our southern counties if it had not been 

 for the inevitable malady of bangitis which afflicts our jealous race. 

 Presumably, where science has claimed these three specimens, for ob- 

 vious if regrettable necessities, ranchers have killed thirty in alleged 

 defense of their hens. Nothing new can happen in a world so consti- 

 tuted. The Zone-tailed Hawk, innocent, useful, interesting, will never 

 be allowed to become a citizen of southern California. 



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