PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 437 



149. Archibuteo ferrugineus, (Licht.). — California Squirrel Han k. 



I saw a splendid specimen of this line Hawk at Marysville last winter. 

 It was .shot about January 1. 



'150. Aquila chrysaetus, (3. canadensis, (Liim.). — American Golden Eagle. 



This Eagle is rarely seen in Central California. I saw one near Stock- 

 ton May 14, 1878, and two young ones that were caught in the mountains 

 of Tuolumne County in 1877 by Indians ; also one at Soda Springs in 

 1876. These are probably all I have seen in three years. Formerly it 

 was more numerous in the valleys. 



151. Haliaetus leucocephalus, (Linn.). — White-headed Eagle ; Bald Eagle. 



The Bald Eagle was formerly common in the valleys, particularly in 

 winter. It now rarely visits Stockton or Marysville, but is said to be 

 common in the southern part of the San Joaquin Valley. 



Family CATHARTIDiE : The American Vultures. 



"152. Rhinogryphus aura, (Linn.). — Turkey Buzzard. 



The Turkey Buzzard is a common resident of Central California, 

 being found as high up in the mountains as Murphy's. It was seen 

 nearly every day at the Big Trees in July and August. 



76629 j — ad. Murphy's , Spring, 1S77 



153. Pseudogryphus californianus, (Shaw). — California Condor. 



The California Condor appears to be very rare in this region. I have 

 seen it on no more than two or three occasions in Yuba County in 

 winter, and do not think I have seen it at any other place. They prob- 

 ably visit the vicinity of Marysville only in winter, and are never 

 common. 



Family COLUMBID^E : The Pigeons or Dotes. 



"154. Columba fasciata, Say. — Band-tailed Pigeon. 



I have seen but few of these birds in the Sierras in summer, though 

 it probably breeds there, as I have occasionally shot young birds at Big 

 Trees, apparently about a month old. They were at that age excellent 

 food, which cannot be said of it at any other time, its flesh being very 

 bitter from eating acorns in winter and oak-buds in spring. 



It is sometimes common in the foot-hills in winter, but never abundant 

 as compared with the abundance of the Passenger Pigeon of the Atlantic 

 States. 



76G31 



cf ad. Murphy's Dec. — , 1877 



