238 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 93 



mediately below our camp at Tres Zapotes. I shot the male on 

 March 17, when the female was carrying sticks to build a nest in a 

 tree standing in a line of brush bordering a fence. The structure 

 was located at the top of a tall, strong branch about 50 feet from the 

 ground. On March 27 I noted that the female had another mate 

 and recorded the pair several times after that in passing near the 

 nest. The male taken has a wing measurement of 322 mm. 



ROSTRHAMUS SOCIABILIS MAJOR Nelson and Goldman 



Rostrhamus sociabilis major Nelson and Goldman, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wasningum, 

 vol. 46, Oct. 26, 1933, p. 193 (Catemaco, Veracruz, Mexico.) 



Near Tlacotalpam the everglade kite was recorded in marshy places, 

 where it was rather shy. It was more common around Tres Zapotes 

 and there was usually tame, so that it was easily approached. I 

 secured two here on March 27 and April 1, 1939, and Carriker shot 

 two at the lagoon north of Hueyapa on March 5 and 21, 1940. 



On March 27 at Laguna del Tular, I saw one resting in a dead 

 tree that stood in the water, holding a large water snail of the 

 genus Pomacea in its foot. It deftly extracted the animal with its 

 bill, let the shell fall, and then, holding the mollusk in its talons, 

 pulled it into small bits that it swallowed. Later I shot this in- 

 dividual and found that it was very fat. On April 1, while watch- 

 ing a flight of migrant hawks, I saw one of these kites circling 

 among them but did not recognize it until I killed it at very long 

 range. It seemed probable that it was one of the resident birds of 

 this area that had merely come up to soar for the pleasure of it, 

 so that its accompanying its migrant companions was a casual en- 

 counter. The long, broad wings and rather long, narrow tail with 

 notched end noted when this bird was high in the air gave a curious 

 silhouette strongly suggestive of the Old World kites of the genus 

 MiVous. 



The four specimens in the present collection, which come from 

 near the typical locality of the race, bear out the characters of large 

 size on which major is based. All are fully grown, though still in 

 streaked and mottled plumage. Measurements are as follows: 3 

 males, wing 375, 380, 381, tail 203, 203, 210, culmen from cere 30.5, 

 31.2, 32.7, and tarsus 54.4, 55.1, 57.3 mm.; 1 female, wing 376, tail 

 200, culmen from cere 29.3, tarsus 54.9 mm. 



ACCIPITER STRIATUS VELOX (Wilson) : Sharp-shinned Hawk 



Falco vclox Wilson, American ornithology, vol. 5, 1812, p. 116, pi. 45, fig. 1 

 (Philadelphia, Pa.) 



On April 7 I killed an adult female as it crossed an old clearing 

 traveling in swift flight with a strong wind. I had glimpses of several 



