OCR Text |
Show 262 123. Scops asio, ( Linn.), var. maccalli, Cass.- Western Mottled Owl. The little Screech Owl is a common resident of California, as it is indeed in all the wooded portions of the far west. Its habits, however, are so strictly nocturnal that its presence is easily overlooked. I have never seen the var. maocalli in any but the gray plumage, nor can I ascertain that the red phase of coloration of this variety has been noted by others. The Pigmy Owl ( Glaucidium gnoma) has been found by several observers to be quite numerous in the mountains of the State. Of the Flammulated O wlet ( Soaps flammeola), a single specimen was taken at Fort Crook. The Whitney's Owl ( Micraihene whitneyi) occurs in the Colorado Valley, where the type- specimen was shot by Dr. Cooper. The two last may occur over much of the southern portion of the State, but their small size and nocturnal habits render them extremely liable to be overlooked. 2* 0. 858 ex. d Locality. Fort Tej on, Cal V Date. July 26 Collector. H. W. Henahaw. 124. Otus vulgaris, ( Linn.), var. wilson& anus, ( Less.).- Long- eared Owl. Like the Bam Owl, this species is prone to congregate together, and it is uncommon in the West for one to stumble upon one of these birds roosting in retirement without finding tbat the same thicket or grove shelters a number. Such was the case at Los Angeles, where the same swamps that gave protection to the Barn Owl also afforded a congenial retreat to this species, and while threading the tangled mazes I several times saw three or four start out from the same spot. This owl is extremely averse to facing the sunlight, though when forced to do so its • eyesight is pretty good. 125. Speotyio cuniculari, ( Mol.), var. hypugcea, ( Bon.).- Burrowing Owl. Nowhere in the West does this Owl occur oftener or in greater numbers than in ' Southern California, and according to the observations of others it appears to be equally numerous in the northern part of the State. The deserted holes of the destructive Ground Squirrel ( Spermophilus beecheyi) furnish i t with its usual abode. The birds are very often to be seen during the hours of sunlight suuning themselves at the mouths of the burrows. They are not, however, very active by day, except when disturbed in their meditations, when, with a few expos-tulatory notes, they fly off a few hundred yards to a neighboring hillock, whence they • can keep a good lookout. Their sight under such circumstances is most excellent, and they have no difficulty when so minded in keeping themselves out of danger. Notwithstanding this, I have never seen them in pursuit of food during the day, and should say that this was obtained wholly after nightfall. In the uninhabited districts I have usually found them rather wary, but in the settled parts of California they are quite the reverse, mnd I have seen them sitting by the roadside paying no attention to the teams and passers- by. It is generally supposed that among other items of their fare Are the young of the squirrels. This I have never confirmed, though presuming such to be the case. They are known to eat mice, lizards, and snakes. FALCONID- E- FALCON8. 126. Falco communis, Gmel., var. anatum, Bon..- Duck Hawk. This Hawk appears to be rather common in Southern California, being perhaps most BO tra the coast. It is numerous on the Santa Barbara Islands; also present around Kern Lake, where the water- fowl which reside here throughout the year furnish it with the most of its food. 127. Faloo columbariu8, Linn.- Pigeon Hawk. At quite a number of localities in Southern California I noted Hawks which appeared to be of this well- known species. The following variety, however, is remarkably close to this species, and hence I may have confounded the two, and a portion of those supposed to belong here may have really been of the next variety, if that be really distinct. The true Pigeon Hawk is, however, from the observations of others, well distributed over California. 128- Faloo columbarius, Linn., var. richardsoni, Ridgw.- American Merlin. It does not appear at all certain that this variety, established by Mr. Ridgway, will not be found to be merely a special plumage of the Pigeon Hawk. It was supposed to be confined to the interior region east of t i e Rooky Mountains. It is, however, found in Southern California, and I think not uncommonly, though I took but a single speoi- |