Hoffman.] 
' 402 
[February 1, 
Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea (Bonap.) Ridgw. — Burrow- 
ing Owl. 
Found rather common ten miles east of the village in the 
prairie-dog town. 
Tinnunculus sparverius (Linn.) Vieill. — Sparrow Hawk. 
Frequently seen in pursuit of small birds in various parts of 
the outskirts of the village, and in the fields. 
Circus hudsonius (Linn.) Vieill. — Marsh Hawk. 
Hot common. 
Archibuteo ferrugineus (Licht.) Gray. — Rough-legged Hawk. 
Found in the timbered regions of the river bottoms; though 
not of frequent occurrence. 
Haliaetus leucocephalus (Linn.) Savig. — Bald Eagle. 
JVi-ti'-kas ta-ka , A. Ma'-sish-o-te , M. 
Saw what was undoubtedly this species, though the distance 
was too great to positively distinguish from Aquila chrysaetus 
canadensis. The bald eagle is said to be an occasional visitor in 
the neighborhood of the agency, though it is more common 
fifteen to thirty miles westward. During the last week of Sep- 
tember “ Eagle Hunters ” of the Hidatsa and Arikaras started 
out for the purpose of catching these birds for their tail feathers 
which are highly prized for head ornaments and war bonnets. 
The juice paid for very ordinary feathers was seventy-five cents, 
while good ones brought a dollar and frequently a dollar and 
fifty cents apiece. The method adopted in catching eagles is as 
follows : after selecting one of the most elevated points of 
land, a hole is dug large enough to allow the watcher sufficient 
room to turn around in. Branches, leaves, and grass, are then 
laid across the opening so as to give everything the appearance 
of the surrounding country. A live rabbit or domestic fowl is 
then secured by a thong and placed over the top of the artificial 
surface in which openings are left for the hidden observer. Should 
an eagle alight to secure the quarry, he is immediately caught 
by the legs and tied. Often the captives are taken to camp to be 
plucked after which they are again set at liberty. 
Cathartes aura (Linn.) Selig. — Turkey Buzzard. 
Seen at different times soaring over the village. Apparently 
not rare. 
Zenaedura carolinensis (Linn.) Bp. — Mourning Dove. 
