194 NORTH AilKKlCAX BIRDS. 



cm r>razil, Buenos Ayi-es, and, according to Yieillot, to Peru. It nests in 

 South Carolina and in all the States that border on the Gulf of Mexico, 

 frequenting the banks of rivers, but is not found near the seaboard. 



Mr. Thure Kumlien noticed a pair of these Hawks in the neighborhood 

 of Fort Atkinson, Wis., in the summer of 1854, and had no doubt they 

 were breeding, though he was not able to find their nest. 



jNIr. Osbert Salvin, in a letter from San Geronimo, in the Vera Paz (Ibis, 

 18G0, p. 11)5), states that he has positive information that this Hawk breeds 

 in the mountains about Coban, his chief collector having found a nest there 

 with young the previous year. Specimens had been before that received by 

 Mr. Sclater, forwarded by Mr. Skinner, from the neighborhood of Cajabon, 

 Guatemala. It was said to be more numerous at Belize. 



Mr. Dresser informs us that he was so fortunate as to lind this graceful 

 bird very abundant in some parts of Te.xas, and he had a good opportunit}'' 

 of observing and admiring it in its true home. It was occasional aliout San 

 Antonio de Bexar, where it w-as usually seen late in July before heavy 

 rains. Near the Rio Grande or in Texas he did not see it at all. At Peach 

 Creek and near Gonzales he found it not unfrequent ; and on the Colorado, 

 Brazos, and Trinity Eivers it was one of the most common birds. It only 

 remains there during the summer months, arriving early in April, and breed- 

 ing later than the other birds of prey. On the 26th of May he found them 

 very abundant on a creek near the Colorado, but none had commenced 

 breeding. They were preparing their nests ; and, from the number he saw 

 about one large grove, he judged that they breed in society. On his wound- 

 ing one of them, the rest came flying over his head in the manner of Sea- 

 gulls, uttering harsh cries ; and he counted forty or fifty over him at one 

 time. He was informed that these Kites build high up in oak, sycamore, or 

 Cottonwood trees, sometimes fpiite far from the creeks. 



Jlr. Dresser descrilies this bird as exhibiting a singularly jjleasing appear- 

 ance on the Aving, gliding in large circles, without apparent effort, in very 

 rapid flight. Tlie tail is widely spread, and when sailing in circles the wings 

 are almost motionless. One was noticed as it was hunting after grasshop- 

 pers. It went over the ground as carefuUy as a well-trained pointer^ every 

 now and then .stooping to pick up a grasshopper, the feet and bill seeming 

 to touch the insect simultaneously. They were very fond of wasp grubs, 

 and would carry a nest to a high perch, hold it in one chw, and sit there 

 picking out the grubs. Their stomachs were found to contain beetles and 

 gi-asshop]K>rs. 



Dr. ^^■ oodhouse speaks of this Hawk as common in Texas, and also in the 

 country of the Creek and Cherokee nations. He confirms the accounts 

 which have been received of its fondness for the neighborhood of streams, 

 and adds that along the Arkansas and its trilnitaries it was very abundant. 



^[r. Kidgway states that this Hawk arrives in Eichland County, III, 

 in ilav, and lives during the summer on the small prairies, feeding there 



