RICHARDSON MERLIN
357b. Falco columbarius richardsonii. 12 in.
Both adults and young are similar to the same of the last species, but they are much paler colored, and the tail is crossed by six light bars. The habits of this species, which seems to have quite a limited range, are precisely like those of the [Pigeon Hawk]. Like that species, it flies swiftly, with rapidly beating wings, and occasionally sails and soars. The under surface of the wings is prominently barred, but not as much so as that of the [Pigeon Hawk]; it is very conspicuous when in flight.
Nest.—Either in hollow trees, or a rude platform of sticks, usually not very high from the ground; eggs buffy white, handsomely blotched with brown (1.60 × 1.25).
Range.—From the Miss. to the Rockies, and from Mexico north to Saskatchewan, locally distributed.
