1908^^] Beyer, Allison and Kopman, Birds of Louisiana. 441 



some distance up, to drop down at an angle of about sixty degrees, legs 

 hanging, and wings flapping furiously. The other species circles about 

 for some minutes, getting lower and lower, before it finally settles down, 

 with less quick flapping than the Carrion Crow employs. The method of 

 procedure with a carcass seems to be: To clean off the exterior trimmings 

 first, then make a large hole under the tail — by which Wilson says they 

 enter — and one in the side, from both of which they reach the entrails." 



138. Swallow-tailed Kite {Elanoides forficatus). A rather common 

 summer resident in some sections, especially in the southern part of the 

 State, where it often frequents the vicinity of bayous. It enters the State 

 about April 1. (March 18, 1902, Bay St. Louis, Miss.). In the early fall, 

 beginning about August 15, it collects in small flocks, often associating 

 with the Mississippi Kite. At such times, it feeds largely on cicadas — or 

 "locusts," as they are called in Louisiana; to secure this prey it remains 

 in the neighborhood of cornfields on the plantations in the southern part 

 of the State. 



139. White-tailed Kite {Elanus leucurus). An accidental visitor. 

 One was shot on the west bank of the Mississippi, opposite Kenner, on 

 October 11, 1890 (Beyer). 



140. Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). A rather common 

 summer resident, preferring somewhat elevated country to the immediate 

 coast section. In the early fall, however, it frequents the plantations of 

 the southern part of the State in large flocks to prey on the cicadas in the 

 cornfields. It arrives in spring during the first week of May. 



141. Marsh Hawk {Circus hudsonius). A resident, but occurring in 

 the southeastern section of the State chiefly if not entirely as a winter 

 visitor. Breeding most commonly in the southwestern, or prairie section 

 of the State. Winter visitors arrive in southeastern Louisiana the latter 

 part of September, and remain until the latter part of March. It is com- 

 mon during this period in nearly all open localities. 



142. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter velox). Chiefly a winter visitor, 

 but has been observed in the southern part of the State occasionally in 

 summer. Like most of the other hawks, this and the following species 

 are present chiefly from October to March. 



143. Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperi). Its movements are similar 

 to those of the preceding species. Both of these breed more commonly 

 in the upper districts. 



144. Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi). Not observed 

 by any of the writers, but has been reported as occurring along the coast 

 and on some of the larger islands (Beyer). 



145. Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo borealis). A common winter visitor, 

 occurring in about equal abundance in all sections, arriving at the coast 

 about October 1, and departing the latter part of March. 



146. Krider's Hawk (Buteo borealis kriderii). A rather rare winter 

 visitor. 



147. H.\rlan's Hawk (Buteo borealis harlani). Rather common as 



