. Birds of California; an introduction to more than three hundred common birds of the state and adjacent islands . er records them as preyingupon the field mice in the vicinity of San Francisco are common at Alviso in the early morning, hover-ing over the marshes, as kingfishers do over water, be-fore plunging downward for a strike. Graceful and easy BIRDS OF PREY 139 on the wing, they have a steadiness of flight unlike thebullet-like dash of some of the hawks, and more closelyresembling the flight of the call is a high-keyed whi>stle,which falls three tones in a plaint
. Birds of California; an introduction to more than three hundred common birds of the state and adjacent islands . er records them as preyingupon the field mice in the vicinity of San Francisco are common at Alviso in the early morning, hover-ing over the marshes, as kingfishers do over water, be-fore plunging downward for a strike. Graceful and easy BIRDS OF PREY 139 on the wing, they have a steadiness of flight unlike thebullet-like dash of some of the hawks, and more closelyresembling the flight of the call is a high-keyed whi>stle,which falls three tones in a plaintiveminor key. Besides this, they utter asharp, short squeak when darting downto seize their prey. Aside from tlic factof his beauty and grace, the food ofthe White-tail is such as torender him beneficial to farmers,and he should be protected bylaw fully as much as the gameand song birds. Lizards, frogs,snakes, grasshoppers, andbeetles are his bill of fare, andthese he consumes in great num-bers. Small birds do not fearhim as they do the bird-eatingspecies, and this alone is proof tiiat he docs not 328. WlIITK-TAILKD KiTK. Preying upon the field wuVf. 331. M ARSn HAWK. — (V/r//.v : The Falcons, Hawks, l.,as, etc. : Jdidt Midc: 81ate-LM)lor stivakcil with wliitf ; imilcr jKirts and nimi) pure white; breast and sides lightly s|)(ckled with reddish brown ; tail with alternate Itandsof brown und black, six or seven in number ; tips of wini^s FcmaJr, and Younij: Husty, more or less streaked with Yoanrj : Rusty bull above, more or less washed with gray, and merging to whitish on lower parts. 140 LAND BIRDS Geographical Distribution: North America from southern border of Alaska, south in winter from latitude 40° to Range: In California breeds on the interior marshes as far south as San Diego and north to Season: April, Maj^, and : On the ground, among the marsh grass ;
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