Part 26

DUCK HAWK. 356a. Falco peregrinus anatum. 17 inches.

A most beautiful species, with a black patch, or moustache, on side of the throat from the bill; head and upper parts bluish gray with darker markings; under parts white, tinged with huffy on the lower part, and lightly barred with black, with the throat pure white. Their food consists mostly of ducks, which they always take while on the wing. It breeds abundantly on the Pacific coast and in some parts of Dakota on the rocky ledges.

Nest.—They are not home builders as a general thing, but lay their three or four eggs on the gravel or bare rocks of ledges or cliffs. The eggs are a reddish buff color, completely blotched and dotted with reddish brown. These are the darkest, brightest and the most beautiful of the Falcon eggs (2.05 × 1.55).

PIGEON HAWK. 357. Falco columbarius. 12 inches.

A small Falcon, similar to the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but a much darker and stouter built bird. It is a daring little fellow, and will attack birds much larger than itself. It feeds on small birds and mice.

APLOMADO FALCON. 359. Falco fusco-cœrulescens. 14 inches.

Found in some of the more southerly states, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Central America. In habits it is very much the same as the following, getting its supply of food, consisting of small birds and insects, on the plains covered with the cactus and yucca, in which they build their nest of twigs, lining it with roots and grass, in which they lay three or four eggs, creamy white, strongly marked with shades of brown (1.75 × 1.30).

DESERT SPARROW HAWK. 360a. Falco sparverius phalæna. 11 inches.

This is next to the smallest of the Falcons, the Eastern form being a trifle smaller. They cannot be mistaken for any other species, because of their bright color and markings as illustrated. Their flight will almost of a certainty identify them at a long distance, a few rapid wing beats, then a short sail, alternately. Their food consists of grasshoppers, mice and an occasional small bird.

Nest.—Is built in the cavity of some tree, either in the woods or open field. The eggs are placed on the decayed wood without any lining.

AUDUBON CARACARA. 362. Polyborus cheriway. 22 inches.

A strongly marked bird; black wings, back and under parts with neck pure white, excepting on the lower part, with many short bar-like markings. Upper part of head black, with feathers elongated, making a slight crest.

Nest.—Is a bulky affair, shabbily built of sticks, weeds and grass, piled into a promiscuous heap, generally located in bushes or low trees. Two or three eggs; brownish buff, with spots and patches of shades of brown nearly covering the under color. They vary very much in the coloration and markings from light to dark.

Range.—Southern borders of the United States.

AMERICAN OSPREY; FISH HAWK. 364. Pandion haliætus carolinensis. 23 inches.

Probably no fisherman in the United States is so well known as is this bird. It is one of the pleasantest sights along the coast to watch a number of these great birds as they soar at an elevation above the water, watching for a fish to come near the surface, when, with folded wings, the bird speeds downward and plunges into the water, rarely missing his prey. Three or four creamy white eggs, with spots of brown of different shades (2.40 × 1.80).

BARN OWL—Family Aluconidæ. 365. Aluco pratincola. 18 inches.

This is one of the lightest colored of the owls; it has a long peculiarly hooded face, from which it gets the name of “Monkey-faced Owl.” Its plumage is yellowish buff, with black spots over the breast and under parts.

Nest.—In most any situation out of sight, such as hollows in old trees, or in ledges, in barns or bell towers. It lays from four to six white eggs (1.70 × 1.30).

Range.—North America, but most common in the Gulf States and on the western coast.

LONG-EARED OWL—Family Strigidæ. 366. Asio wilsonianus. 15 inches.

This species has unusually long ear tufts, from which it is given its name; the face is brown, the under parts white and buff, with streaks and bars of brownish black; back is brown, with almost black markings; wings and tail brown; barred with black.

Nest.—Usually in trees, frequently using a crow’s nest instead of building for themselves. They are in great disfavor with the crows. They lay from four to seven pure white eggs (1.55 × 1.35).

SHORT-EARED OWL. 367. Asio flammeus. 16 inches.

About the same size as the preceding, but readily identified from it by the short ear tufts and rounded head, and also lighter color. It is streaked on under parts and not barred. Tail is barred. Their flight is perfectly silent, which aids them in securing their prey of field mice and moles, which they usually get without stopping in their flight, just swooping down, and extending their long legs, armed with wicked little sharp claws, and it is all over with the little rodent, he being carried to a nearby stump and devoured, fur, bones and all.

Nest.—Is usually built upon the ground in marshy places, sometimes of grass and weeds, under some bush or near or under some log or stump. Four to seven pure white eggs (1.55 × 1.25).

SPOTTED OWL. 369. Strix occidentalis. 20 inches.

This is very similar to the Barred Owl of the Eastern and Southern States, but spotted, instead of barred, on the back of the head and neck, and much more extensively barred on the under parts.