BIRDS OF SOUTHERN VERACRUZ — WETMORE 239 



other sharp-shinned hawks along the borders of forest, probably all 

 of this same species, but did not see them clearly enough for certain 

 identification. 



BUTEO ALBICAUDATUS HYPOSPODIUS Gurney: Sennett's White-tailed Hawk 



Buteo hypospodius Gtjbney, Ibis, 1876, p. 73, pi. 3 (Medellln, Colombia). 



Migrant flights of these hawks were recorded near Tres Zapotes 

 from March 30 to April 12, the number seen varying from a few to 

 several hundred during one day. They appeared in bands of varying 

 size that traveled to the north, occasionally turning in spirals but even 

 then drifting steadily northward. They were seen usually early in 

 the morning and at times were accompanied by a smaller species that 

 was probably B. p. platypterus, though none of these passed suf- 

 ficiently near for certain identification. The white-tailed hawks were 

 always high in the air, so that it was necessary to use field glasses to 

 name them. They appeared white below, occasionally with a rusty 

 wash on the lower breast, and were marked by the single broad band 

 of black across the end of the white tail. 



BUTEO MAGNIROSTRIS GRISEOCAUDA Ridgway 



Buteo (Rupornis) magnirostis var. griseocauda Ridgway, Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. 

 Hist., vol. 16, Dec. 1873, p. 87 (in key), p. 88 (orig. descr.) (Mexico). 



These were the commonest hawks of the region, being spread every- 

 where through the more open monte and through the trees bordering 

 the milpas, but not penetrating into dense forests. They are tame and 

 noisy, calling with complaining, petulant notes when their haunts are 

 invaded and usually allowing close approach without need for stealth 

 or cover on the part of the collector. They seem generally rather slug- 

 gish, watching from perches for prey or swinging down across swales 

 and openings to see what game they can surprise. Once I saw one in 

 rapid pursuit of a small bird, but ordinarily other birds seemed to pay 

 little attention to them. 



In 1939 they were especially noisy during March and were seen at 

 times turning overhead in short circles. Actual nesting seemed to begin 

 at the end of the month, and on March 29 I saw one carrying nesting 

 material. On April 7 I recorded one resting in a rather slight nest of 

 sticks placed 25 feet from the ground in a small tree at the edge of a 

 field. The natives assured Carriker that these birds catch many young 

 chickens, but we saw no indication of this. Adults were taken on 

 March 15, 1939, and January 22, 1940, at Tres Zapotes. Carriker se- 

 cured one in immature plumage at Tlacotalpam on February 6, 1940. 



These birds agree with specimens of griseocauda from elsewhere in 

 Mexico. 



