Part 7

Chæmepelia passerina terrestris. Case 3, Fig. 4

The female is duller than the male. L. 6-3/4.

Range. Tropical and subtemperate parts of the Western Hemisphere. Our form is found in Florida and on the coast region from North Carolina to Texas.

Washington, accidental; two records, Sept., Oct.

This dainty, miniature Pigeon is common in southern gardens and old fields. It runs gracefully before one, and when flushed rises with a whirring flight but soon alights, usually on the ground. Its call is a crooning coo. The nest is placed on the ground and in low trees and bushes. Two white eggs are laid in March.

BIRDS OF PREY. ORDER RAPTORES

AMERICAN VULTURES. FAMILY CATHARTIDÆ

TURKEY VULTURE

Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Case 3, Fig. 9

Head red, plumage with a brownish cast. Young birds have the head covered with brownish down. L. 30.

Range. Most of the Western Hemisphere in several subspecies; in the eastern states north to northern New Jersey and, locally, southern New York. Migrating south from the northern part of its range.

Washington, abundant P.R. Ossining, A.V. Cambridge, casual, two records. N. Ohio, tolerably common S.R., Mch. 5-Oct. 30. SE. Minn., common S.R., Apl. 27.

The 'Turkey Buzzard' has a wider wing-stretch and is a better aviator than the Black Vulture. It is more a bird of the country than the last-named species which is the common Vulture of the streets in many southern cities. Extremely graceful in the air, it is far from pleasing when at rest. The two dull white, brown-marked eggs are laid on the ground under logs, in crevices in rocks, etc., in March in Florida, in April in Virginia.

BLACK VULTURE

Catharista urubu urubu. Case 3, Fig. 10

Head black, plumage without the brownish cast of the Turkey Vulture.

Range. Eastern U.S., north to Virginia; an abundant Permanent Resident. Washington, casual, Mch., July, Dec.

The Vulture of southern cities; a frequenter of slaughter houses and markets. In flight the under surfaces of the wing look silvery. It is by no means so impressive a figure in the air as the Turkey Vulture. Two pale bluish white eggs, generally with brown markings, are laid on the ground under logs, bushes, palmettoes, etc., in March and April.

HAWKS, EAGLES, KITES, ETC. FAMILY BUTEONIDÆ

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE

Elanoides forficatus forficatus

The head and lower parts are white, the rest of the plumage glossy black; the tail deeply forked. L. 24.

Range. Florida to South Carolina, and up the Mississippi Valley rarely to Saskatchewan; winters south of the United States, returning in March.

Washington, three records, Aug.; Apl. SE. Minn., uncommon S.R., May 4.

Color, form, grace, and power of motion combine to make the flight of the Swallow-tail an impressive demonstration of the bird's mastery of the air. It feeds on lizards and small snakes which it captures when on the wing from the branches of trees. The nest is placed in the upper branches of tall trees, 2-3 eggs heavily marked with brown being laid in Florida in April; in Iowa in June.

WHITE-TAILED KITE

Elanus leucurus

A gray bird with white underparts, rather short white tail and black shoulders. L. 15-1/2.