26 
THE CONDOR 
Vol. VII 
Cruz River, probably after lizards or frogs. They breed out on the open mesa, but 
do not seem to do so in the thick woods. 
Asturina plagiata. Mexican Goshawk. On June 4 a set of three, and on 
June 11 one of two eggs were secured. In the third week in Majq 1902, Mr. How- 
ard and I secured five sets of three eggs each in this same place. All the nests 
found were in the largest mesquites, built from forty to fifty feet from the ground, 
one that we measured being just forty-seven feet. Five of the birds were secured; 
the stomach of one contained some very young doves, apparently taken from the 
nest, another contained the remains of a quail, and the others held some large liz- 
ards. Those secured were all alike in the ordinary adult plumage, but two others 
were seen, possibly birds of the previous year, with longitudinal instead of trans- 
verse markings on the lower parts; and the female from which the set of two eggs 
was taken, was of a brownish coloration, so much darker than the others that at 
the first glance we were uncertain whether or not she was a Cooper hawk. They 
were rather noisy birds and could often be heard screaming as they flew about over 
the tree tops. 
Falco s. phaloena. Desert Sparrow Hawk. Common; breeding in giant 
cactus. In one hole young about ten days old were found, which, with claws and 
lu ngs, vigorously entered their protest at being handled. 
Polyborus cheriway. Audubon Caracara. Though not observed on the res- 
ervation, while we were returning from the Santa Ritas, on June 28, a single indi- 
vidual of this species was seen near the Santa Cruz River, feeding on some carrion 
in company with a number of turkey buzzards. 
Megascops a. cineraceus. Mexican Screech Owl. A single specimen was 
secured by Mr. Stephens, though others were heard hooting every evening. They 
breed in the giant cactus. 
Bubo v. pallescens. Western Horned Owl. Two were seen in the mes- 
quites, but not secured. 
Micropallas whitneyi. Elf Owl. This interesting little owl is so entirely re- 
stricted to the giant cactus, in the cool depths of which he finds a comfortable sum- 
mer home when everything outside is fairly sizzling with the heat, that in the 
breeding season, at least, it is almost useless to seek for them elsewhere. I have 
seen an odd bird or two in other places, and was with Mr. Howard when he 
secured a set of eggs from a hole in a mesquite tree, but such individuals are but 
the merest stragglers from the hundreds that occupy the cactuses on the surround- 
ing mesa. Mr. Stephens and I were too late for them and secured but a single set 
of eggs, but a great many young of all ages were found in the holes examined. 
The elf owl seems to be strictly nocturnal, and, when turned loose in the 
glaring sunlight, they were singularly helpless, in striking contrast to the little 
pigmy owl, which, in general appearance, they resemble so much. Judging from 
an examination of the contents of the stomachs of about twenty of the birds, I 
should say that they were entirely insectivorus in their diet, as nothing but the 
remains of beetles and other insects were found. 
Geococcyx californianus. Roadrunner. A few were seen in the mesquites. 
Coccyzus a. occidentalis. California Cuckoo. This species was more common 
in the mesquite forest than I have ever seen it anywhere else. As usual the birds 
were hard to see in the shrubbery, though we occasionafly caught sight of them 
crossing from one side of the river to the other; but their peculiar notes could be 
heard everywhere we went, and sometimes around the camp three or four could be 
heard calling at once. Some of the females secured had evidently laid part of 
their sets, but we were unable to find any nests. 
