242 HISTORY OF THE 



southward; breeding throughout its range. It adapts itself read- 

 ily to its surroundings, and is as much at home on the dry plains 

 as in the clearings of the moist woodlands. Its plumage does 

 not appear to be affected by the climate. I have specimens in 

 the "Goss Ornithological Collection" shot at Neah Bay, Wash- 

 ington, San Pedro, Martir Isle, Gulf of California, and in Kansas, 

 and have shot the birds in New England, and in southern Cen- 

 tral America, and so far fail to find any difference in coloration 

 that will hold good. 



Its food consists of insects, berries and grains, the latter 

 gleaned chiefly from the fields. It is a harmless bird, that by its 

 innocent ways readily wins the heart and protection of man. 

 Its flight is vigorous and strong, and the rapid strokes of its 

 wings cause a whistling sound. During the pairing season the 

 male often circles and sails above his mate, with tail expanded, 

 and upon the ground struts about with nodding head, and 

 feathers spread in a graceful manner. His mournful cooing 

 love note, so pleasing to the female, wafts to my ears one of 

 the saddest sounds in nature. The birds while mated are true 

 and devoted to each other. At the close of the breeding season 

 they collect together in small flocks, usually family groups. 



Their nests are placed on the forks of low, horizontal 

 branches of trees, on grape vines, and upon the ground; when 

 built off the ground, a loose, slight platform, constructed of twigs, 

 a few stems of grass, and leaves. Eggs two, 1.12x.85; white; 

 in form, elliptical to oval. 



Order RAPTORES. 

 birds of prey. 



"Bill usually powerful, adapted for tearing flesh, strongly decurved and 

 hooked at the end, furnished with a cere in which the nostrils open. Feet 

 strongly flexible, with large, sharp and much-curved claws, gradually narrowed 

 from base to tip, convex on the sides, that of the second toe larger than that of 

 the fourth toe, and the hinder not smaller than the second one. Feet never 

 permanently zygodactyle, though fourth toe often versatile; anterior toes com- 



