BIRDS OF CUBA 47 



6i. Urubitinga gundlachi (Cabanis). 

 Cuban Crab Hawk; Batista. 



The Crab Hawks appear in the distance like very large Everglade 

 Kites. In the field their color and method of flight are surprisingly alike — 

 except that when flying high and wheeling these Hawks scale with 

 motionless wings like the large Buteos. 



The Batista is one of the finest of Cuban birds. It flies impressively 

 high in air, circling and whistling constantly its musical three-note call 

 which has given rise to the native onomatopoeic name. The Crab Hawks 

 are nowhere abundant, a pair here and another pair way yonder, in regions 

 where there are heavy and extensive mangrove forests which shelter the 

 great white crabs on which the Batistas feed. The Ensenada de Cochinos, 

 the cays oflf the north coast of Camaguey and the west coast of the Isle of 

 Pines, are the regions where Crab Hawks may most easily be observed. 

 If there are any about, the crabs, all opened in characteristic fashion, will 

 be found in the mangrove swamps. The Hawk pounces on the crab, gathers 

 the legs and claws of each side in one of its feet, and reaching down removes 

 the carapace by hooking the bill under its front edge. While hunting at 

 dawn and early eve the birds fly low and are not shy at all, but at midday 

 they circle hour after hour far in the blue. It is then that their whistling 

 call can be heard for many miles. Gundlach has described the nest and 

 eggs, and so also has Bangs (Auk, vol. 22, p. 307, 1905). 



62. Chondrohierax wilsoni Cassin. 

 Gavilan Caguarero. 



This Snail Kite is confined to that part of the Oriental region which 

 supports the beautiful arboreal Helix picta, or caguayo, on which it feeds. 

 I have seen its feeding places but once, and I owe .the specimens now 

 before me to my friend Charles T. Ramsden, who kindly collected them 

 for me. His competent activity about extreme eastern Cuba has for years 

 constrained me to explore other regions where no such vigorous local 

 enthusiast was wont to work. Thus I have been brought in but little contact 

 with this bird. Ramsden says it is very local, but — its haunts once found 

 — it is easily secured on account of its stupid and confiding habits. 



