Grayson.] 270 [June 7, 



rapid as that of the swift. They were chasing each other in a play- 

 ful manner, and while observing their graceful movements, one of 

 them captured a small parrot from a flock which had just settled on 

 the top of a large tree. After striking this most diminutive of the 

 parrot species (Psittacula) he came to the ground with it, at the foot 

 of the same tree. I endeavored to procure one or both these falcons, 

 but the mountains were so steep as to render it impossible. In 

 chasing each other, they uttered a sharp whistle as t'chee, t'chee, 

 t'chee. One morning during my rambles on the Tres Marias, hear- 

 ing this well remembered note, I commenced searching for it with 

 great caution, and soon discovered the little fellow sitting upon a dry 

 branch of a tall tree. Unfortunately both barrels of my gun being 

 charged with fine shot, No. 11, I approached to the foot of the tree 

 immediately under him to lessen the distance as much as possible, 

 but upon firing, he darted downward through the forest (slightly 

 wounded) with the rapidity of an arrow, his wings in rapid motion 

 like the swift. The markings of its plumage, as far as it could be 

 discernible at the distance from me, had the resemblance of the 

 Peregrine. This is undoubtedly the smallest and most beautiful of 

 the Falconidge, a rare and perhaps but little known species. I still 

 have hopes of again meeting with this interesting falcon with better 

 success." 



In a memorandum attached to Col. Grayson's note, Prof. Baird 

 suggests that the hawk seen by Col. Grayson was probably Hypo- 

 triorcliis aurantius. As one of that species was afterwards obtained 

 at the Marias by Col. Grayson, Prof. Baird's conjecture was doubt- 

 less correct. 



STKiGnm 



9. Strix pratineola Bp. "The Barn Owl." 



"I did not see this owl on the Islands, but often heard at night its 

 well known hissing scream. It is common throughout Mexico, as 

 also in all temperate North America." 



10. Athene cunicularia (Molina). "Burrowing Owl; Lechu- 

 gacillo." 



"A few individuals of this species inhabit the Marias Islands, per- 

 haps wandered from the main land. While making a passage from 

 Cape San Lucas, Lower California, to Mazatlan, one of these little 

 owls came on board, so much fatigued as to be easily captured. This 

 is some evidence of its migrating propensities." 



