206 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



higher regions of the air, and which, in the three individuals dissected by 

 hiui, were the only substances found in tlieir stomachs. For several 

 miles, as lie passed near Bayou Manahak, the trees were swarming with a 

 kind of Cicada, or locust, that made a deafening noise. He there observed a 

 number of these birds sweeping about among the trees in the manner of 

 Swallows, evidently in ]Kir.suit of the insects, wliich proved indeed, on dis- 

 section, to be their principal food. 



One of these Hawks was slightly wounded by Wilson, and thougii disabled 

 and precipitated from a great height exhibited evidence of gi'eat strength 

 and an almost unconquerable spirit. As lie approached to pick it up, the 

 bird instantly gave battle, striking rapidly with its claws, wheeling round 

 and round, and defending itself with great vigilance and dexterity, while its 

 dark red eye sparkled with rage. His captor wished to preserve it alive, 

 but, notwithstanding all his precautions in seizing it, the Hawk struck one 

 of its claws into his hand with great force, and this could only be disen- 

 gaged by Wilson's dividing the sinew of the heel witli a pen-knife. As long 

 as the bird afterwards li\-ed with Wilson, it seemed to watch every move- 

 ment, erecting the feathers of the back of its head, and eying him with a 

 savage fierceness. Wilson was much struck with its great strength, its 

 extent of wing, its energy of character, and its ease and rapidity of flight. 



Audubon regards this species as remarkable for its devotion to its young, 

 and narrates that in one instance he saw the female bird lift up and attempt 

 to carry out of his reach one of her fledglings. She carried it in her claws 

 the distance of thirty yards or more. 



He also describes their flight as graceful, vigoi-ous, and protracted. At 

 times the bird seems to float in the air as if motionless, or sails in broad 

 and regular circles, then, suddenly closing its wings, is seen to slide along 

 to some distance, and then renews its curves. At other times it sweeps in 

 long undulations with the swiftness of an arrow, passing within touching 

 distance of a branch on which it seeks an insect. Sometimes it is said to 

 fly in hurried zigzags, and at others to turn over and over in the manner of 

 a Tumbler Pigeon. Audubon has often observed it make a dash at the 

 Turkey Buzzard, and give it chase, as if in sport, and so annoy this bird as 

 to drive it to a distance. It feeds on the wing with great ease and dexterity. 

 It rarely, if ever, alights on the earth ; and, when wounded, its movements on 

 the ground are very awkward. It is never known to attack birds or quad- 

 rupeds of any kind, though it will pursue and annoy foxes and Crows, and 

 drive them to seek shelter from its attacks. The Mississippi Kite is said to 

 be by no means a shy bird, and may be easily approached when alight, yet 

 it usually perches so high that it is not always easy to shoot it. 



In Southern Illinois, Mr. Eidgway found this Kite to be a very abundant 

 summer bird on the prairies. Tliere it is found from May till near the end 

 of September, and always associated with the Swallowtail {Naucknis forfi- 

 catus.) It breeds in the timber which borders the streams intersecting the 



