270 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



the top of a willow, and in its construction took in several distinct limbs, so 

 as to give better support. The nest, about two feet across and one foot 

 in thickness, was constructed of thin sticks and fragments of roots. The 

 inside was lined with leaves of tule and grass. The nest contained two eggs. 

 Only eight feet from this nest, on the same bush, and at the same height, a 

 female of Icterus liullocl-i was on her nest. These birds appeared to be liv- 

 ing together in harmon}-, having been in constant sight of each other for 

 several weeks, as the condition of the eggs pro\ed. I deem this remark- 

 able only as showing a rapacious and an insectivorous bird living so closely 

 togetlier that one might at any time have been made the prey of the other 

 by a single spread of the wings." 



Dr. Gideon Lincecum, of Wasliington County, Texas, speaks of this spe- 

 cies as one of the common Hawks of the Texan prairies. He states that it 



Bitteo sioainsoni (young). 



nests on the ground in the prairie ; lays six eggs, sometimes on tall trees, 

 — when it chooses to rear its young in tlie forest. It is apt to pounce on a 

 brood of young poultry when it sees them, but being rather timid does not 

 like to go about the houses. Its principal food is grasshoppers, prairie rats 

 and mice, and small birds. Dr. Lincecum has often seen it when the 

 grass on the prairie was burning, in the spring of the year, constantly on 

 the wing, in front of the fire, catching the grasshoppers, rats, mice, and 

 any small game that is driven out of the grass by the crackling fire ; and 

 it will keep in the smoke so close to the fire that it soon becomes almost 

 as black as soot. He further remarks that, " when any one approaches their 

 nest on the prairie, they will make a pretty bold attempt to frighten or decoy 

 him away from it. It first tries to lead the intruder off, by alighting in the 



