gS MEMOIRS OF THE NUTTALL ORNITHOLOGICAL CLUB 



143 [326] Catharista urubu (Vieill.). 

 Black Vulture. 



Accidental visitor from the South. 



There are three more records for this bird, and, curiously enough, one was 

 taken at Pigeon Cove, where the 1863 record was obtained, and one at Nahant 

 near the 1850 record at Swampscott. The Nahant record is of a bird shot on 

 April I, 191 3, by Mr. Albert Richards. The Pigeon Cove record is of a bird taken 

 on May 12, 1916, now in the collection of Mr. C. R. Lamb. In 1917, one was 

 taken at Wenham on August 18, by Archer L. Pierce. 



144 [327] Elanoides forficatus (Linn.). 

 Swallow-tailed Kite. 

 Accidental visitor from the West. 

 The one record for 1882 remains unique. 



145 133^^^ Circus hudsonius (Linn.). 



Marsh Hawk. 



Common summer resident, very rare in winter. March 21 to November 22 

 (January i, 21, February 9). 



Eggs: May 27 to June i. 



The January i record is for 1917, a single bird seen by me at Ipswich. On 

 February 9, 191 2, Mr. R. M. Marble saw a Marsh Hawk at Ipswich. 



The courtship flight of the Marsh Hawk is a spectacular performance. I 

 have been favored with it on two occasions. On June i, 1919, at Ipswich two 

 birds were soaring high in the air. One rose in circles higher and higher without 

 apparent movement of the wings. At a great height it suddenly dove down head 

 foremost and then " looped the loop." This was repeated several times. Once it 

 appeared to turn a somersault sidewise ; it screamed at the same time. 



I am afraid this hawk does not always live up to his reputation as a hunter 

 of mice alone, for certain individuals appear to be fonder of birds. The experi- 

 ence of those in charge of the Heath Hen Reservation at Martha's Vineyard shows 

 this to be the case. In the original Memoir I gave an account of a nest of the 



