^°'iQ^^^J Stockard, Woodpeckers and Vultures in Mississippi. AJ I 



but appeared deserted ; no excrement or other signs of the birds 

 were to be seen. Several trips were made to the nest the fohow- 

 ing spring, 1903, but it was unoccupied. In March, 1904, the 

 nest was found still vacant. From this action it was concluded 

 that the birds had been rearing a second set each season after the 

 first had been removed, and so were finally successful and con- 

 tinued to use the site the following year ; but now when the sec- 

 ond attempt was thwarted they deserted the nest entirely. 



One may be certain that the same female laid the sets of con- 

 secutive years, as the eggs of one nest are always almost exactly 

 alike in size, shape and markings ; while the eggs of different 

 nests show most striking varieties and thus make beautiful series 

 for color variation. 



Cathartes aura. Turkey Vulture. — This species in Mis- 

 sissippi lays much later in the season than the Black Vulture. 

 Fresh eggs were found on April 25, 1902, and March 21, 1898, 

 was the earliest set seen. Its nesting sites have, in only the few 

 cases observed, been found very constant, being confined in three 

 instances to the hollows of fallen logs, and in two others to the 

 hollows in large stumps. Only five of its nests were seen and in 

 four of these the birds nested for consecutive seasons just as the 

 Black Vulture was found to do. In the southern part of the State 

 the Black is much commoner than the Turkey Vulture, but in the 

 east central portion they appear in about equal numbers. 



