112 R.E. Johnson 1967 Red-tailed Hawk March 3 Tilden Regional Park, Alameda Co., California Partially cloudy, windy (10 mph), cool. 9:30 AM. Pair of hawks hovering close together (30 ft) both facing west near crest of WS running ridge. Apparently they are riding an updraft. Each has its head bent down as if watching for prey on the ground. Maintenance of position seems to be accomplished by adjustment of tail width & position, wing bending (W ~), and perhaps wing tip feather slotting. Feathers are usually widely slotted. Occasionally flaps wings slightly (2-3 beats). Tail tilts sideways from horizontal to various angles with gusty winds (- / \) while bird & wings remain horizontal. Pair separate & hover 1/4 mile apart, later (10 min) one returns over other and upon flying with 1 vertical foot over other it folds its wings to within a few inches of body and appears to land (legs down) on back of lower bird. It remains "piggy-back" for several seconds, but there is no additional contact (only legs off upper bird and back of lower; no bodily or cloacal contact). They again separate & hover 1/4 mile apart. One folds its wings, lowers its legs & dives 1/2 way to ground & stops again hovering.. Shortly it dives again to a lower level, now keeping its legs down as if ready to strike. This hovering large house continues for several minutes & then a cat