96 BIRDS OP PREY. 



ed by the abundance of the fruitful valley of the Missis- 

 sippi, individuals have been seen along that river as far 

 as the Falls of St. Anthony, in the 44th degree of north 

 latitude. Indeed, according to Fleming, tvi^o stragglers 

 have even found their devious way to the strange climate 

 of Great Britain. 



They appear in the United States about the close of 

 April or beginning of May, and are very numerous in 

 the Mississippi territory, 20 or 30 being sometimes visi- 

 ble at the same time, often collecting locusts and other 

 large insects, which they are said to feed on from their 

 claws while flying ; at times also seizing upon the nests of 

 locusts and wasps, and like the Honey-Buzz ard, devour- 

 ing both the insects and their larvae. Snakes and lizards 

 are their common food in all parts of America. In the 

 month of October they begin to retire to the south, at 

 which season Mr. Bartram observed them in great num- 

 bers assembled in Florida, soaring steadily at great ele- 

 vations for several days in succession, and slowly pass- 

 ing towards their winter-quarters along the Gulf of 

 •Mexico. 



In length this species is about 2 feet ; and 4 feet 6 inches in 

 the stretch of the wings. (The true Kite is 2 feet by upwards of 5 

 feet stretch.) The bill is black; the cere yellow, as well as the 

 legs. Iris orange-red. The head and neck white ; beneath also 

 white. Upper parts black, glossed with green and purple. Wings 

 reaching within 2 inches of the tip of the tail. Tail very long, and 

 remarkably forked, of 12 feathers. Several of the tertial feathers 

 white, or edged with that color ; lining of the wings white. — The 

 plumage of the male ^nd female very similar. 



