ZOOLOGY—BIRDS. 
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centre of a bunch of mistletoe springing from the forks of the oak, and was composed of coarse 
twigs lined with grasses and moss ; the eggs, two in number, being white, marked with faint 
brown dashes, differing greatly from those of the European species, A. lagopus, (Gmel.) With 
those of the A. sancti-johannis, I have never had the opportunity of comparing them. 
EL ANUS LEUCURUS, Yieill .—The Black-shouldered Hawk. 
Elanus disbar, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. I, p. 70, pi. 16. 
Falco dispar, Aud. B. of A. Fol. pi. 352.— Nuttall. Ornith. vol. I, p. 93.— Temm. PI. Col. vol. I, pi. 319, (young 
plumage.)—C h. Bonaparte, Aid. Orn. vol. II, p. 18, pi. 11, fig. 1. 
Falco melanopterus, Bon. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc. of Phil. vol. V, p. 2?, 1825. 
Elanus leucurus, Cassin, Gen. Rep. IX, 37. 
The extensive marshes of Suisun, Napa, and Sacramento valleys are the favorite resorts of 
these birds, more especially during the winter season, as they there find a plentiful supply of 
insects and mice, their principal nourishment. They generally range over their feeding grounds 
in small flocks, from a single pair up to six or seven pairs together. I fell in with an isolated 
pair in the mountains between Elizabeth, lake and Williamson’s Pass, hovering over a small 
fresh water marsh ; this being the only instance observed by me of their travelling so far inland, 
or away from large bodies of water or marsh. In July and August the young of this species 
are found quite abundant in the country, thereby proving that it does not migrate for the 
purposes of incubation. 
ACCIPITER COOPERI, Bonaparte .—Cooper’s Hawk. 
Falco cooperi, Bon. Syn. App. p. 433.— Nutt. Ora. vol. I, p. 90. 
Fulco stanleyi, Nutt. Ora. vol. I, p. 91.— Aud. B. of A Fol. pi. 36. 
Astur cooperi, Aud. Oct. vol. I, p. 98, pi. 24.— DeKay, Nat. Hist, of N. Y. Part I, p. 18, pi. 4, fig. 5. 
Not rare. 
ACCIPITER FUSCUS, Gmelin.—The Sharp-shinned Hawk. 
Frequenting in great abundance the woodland country throughout California. 
CIRCUS HUDSONIUS, Linn .—The Marsh Hawk. 
Circus cyaneus, Aud. B. of A. Oct. vol. I, p. 105, pi. 26. 
Falco cyaneus, Aud. B. of A. Fol. pi. 356.— Bonap. A. Oru. vol. II, p. 30, pi. 12. 
Falco uliginosus, Wils. Am. Oru. vol. VI, p. 67, pi. 51, fig. 1. 
Abundant in California ; I also met with this species in New Mexico and Texas, and its range 
therefore extends over our entire country. 
ATHENE CUNICULARIA, Molina.—The Burrowing Owl. 
Strix cunicularia, Molina, Saggio, 1786. 
Athene cunicularia, Cassin, Geu. Rep. IX, 60. 
Common on the extensive open prairies, where, associated with the ground squirrel, they often 
form a large community, though not as great as prairie-dog villages, which latter often cover a 
mile or more of ground. The sight of this bird is very clear by day, nor will he allow the 
hunter on foot to approach within fair shooting distance. When approached, however, on a 
horse or mule, from which animals he apprehends no danger, his confidence renders him a certain 
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