76 
ZOOLOGY, 
fishing birds behind us, far up on Pit river, around the Klamath lakes, in the Cascade moun¬ 
tains, on the Columbia and Willamette, we still found the fish hawk, and his more powerful, 
hut less skilful rival, the bald eagle. In the month of August we saw, in the Klamath basin, 
several pairs of fish hawks feeding their young, which were still in the nest, though, apparently, 
nearly old enough to leave it. 
In the Cascade mountains we found the fish hawk, where it must have subsisted alone on fish 
taken from the small, rapid, trout streams ; while in other localities it seeks its food in deep 
and wide bodies of water. 
STRIX PRATIXCOLA. 
Barn Owl. 
This owl is apparently more abundant on the western coast than in the eastern States, and 
more common in California than in Oregon. It is more frequently met with about San Fran¬ 
cisco, San Diego, and Monterey, than any other species. Its habits at the west are similar to 
those of the eastern owls of the same species, occupying barns, out-houses, churches, &c., and, in 
the absence of these places of resort, living in hollow trees and holes in cliffs. I found it on 
San Pablo bay inhabiting holes in the perpendicular cliffs bordering the south shore. It 
also inhabits the Klamath basin, though apparently not in great numbers. 
BUBO VIRGINIANUS, Var. ? 
The Great Horned Owl. 
The great horned owl is one of the most widely distributed of American birds. Though less 
abundant than in the forests of the eastern States and Mississippi valley, it is still quite 
common in all parts of California, Oregon, and Washington. The specimen brought in was 
killed at Fort Rea ling by Dr. Hammond, IJ. S. A., who, while stationed at that post, very 
successfully investigated the natural history of the vicinity. I saw other specimens from 
southern California, and we were sometimes serenaded by its characteristic note while camping 
in the Cascade mountains. 
BRACHYOTUS CASSINII. 
Marsh Owl. 
Found throughout California and Oregon, this species is especially common in the Klamath 
basin. On the level meadow-like prairies of upper Pit river we found it associated with the 
marsh hawk (Circus Jmdsonius ) in considerable numbers. They were generally sitting concealed 
in the grass, and rose as we approached. I was much amused by the movements of one of these 
owls, at which I had fired unsuccessfully. A large number of hawks ( C . hudsonius) and a large 
dark Buteo rose at the report of my gun, and flew about in circles, filling the air high over my 
head. The owl joined the crowd, and flew around as high and fast as the best. He was, how¬ 
ever, evidently looked upon as an intruder, and when he came near a hawk in his circumvolu¬ 
tions he was sure to be buffetted ; but as long as I could distinguish him, he was still sailing 
round among the hawks, badgered by all of them. 
We found the same species again on the shores of Klamath lake and in the Des Chutes basin, 
among grass and sage bushes. In these localities it is very commonly associated with the 
burrowing owl, Athene liypugcea. 
