220 GoLSAN AND HoLT, Birds of Alabama. [April 



EON.' — None recorded within 35 years, and scarce even before that time. 

 However, they once occurred in numbers in both counties. Last seen 

 about spring of 1878. 



44. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis. Mourning Dove. ' Dove.' 

 — Abundant permanent resident but not so numerous as formerly. Breed- 

 ing records: Apiil 10, 1908, Barachias; two sUghtly incubated eggs on a 

 frail platform of pine twigs and needles on first horizontal branch of large 

 pine 10 ft. above ground and about 15 ft. from trunk of tree. (E. G. H.). 

 July 8, 1909, near Autaugaville; one fresh egg (set incomplete) on platform 

 of grass, pine needles and a few feathers, 40 ft. up in pine and 12 ft. out on 

 branch. Open hillside. (L. S. G.) 



45. Chaemepelia passerina terrestris. Ground Dove. — Toler- 

 ably common in low lands between Bear Swamp and the Alabama River. 

 Occasionally seen elsewhere in Autauga Co. Small numbers reported in 

 Montgomery Co. Nesting data: May 28, 1911, Autauga Co., on Alabama 

 River near Autaugaville; two slightly incubated eggs in frail nest of weed 

 stems and grass in depression beside clod of earth in cultivated field. 

 Bird almost touched before leaving nest. (L. S. G.) 



46. Cathartes aura septentrionalis. Turkey Vulture. " Tur- 

 key Buzzard." — Common permanent resident, but not nearly so numer- 

 ous as the Black Vulture. Breeding records: March 31, 1894, near Pratt- 

 ville; two slightly incubated eggs in old pine log near small stream flowing 

 through wooded ravine. (L. S. G.) April 11, 1909, Bear Swamp; two 

 moderately incubated eggs deposited in depression in rotten wood on 

 ground inside of hollow giant tulip tree in thick swamp. Old bird came 

 out with rush and vomited as it took wing at entrance. (L. S. G.) It is 

 a source of never ending pleasure on a summer day, to lie on my back 

 in the shade of a pine on some high hill and watch these majestic fliers 

 mount higher and higher, in wide, easy circles, until a mere speck against 

 the blue vault above, or lost to view entirely. I have seen the Black Vul- 

 ture rise to such a height as to be barely visible with a six-power binocular. 

 The two species are characteristic birds of our southern landscape. (E.G.H.) 



47. Catharista urubu. Black Vulture. 'Carrion Crow.' — 

 Abundant permanent resident. Nests containing eggs discovered between 

 extreme dates of March 10 and May 8. Many nesting data for both 

 counties. April 8, 1906, Barachias; two slightly incubated eggs deposited 

 on debris at bottom of hollow stump about 8 ft. high in midst of briers 

 and palmettos in swamp pasture. The chimney-like hollow was the only 

 approach to the nest. (E. G. H.). April 13, 1909, Bear Swamp; two 

 eggs containing very large embryos, deposited on ground between trunks 

 of two pines and a white bay {Magnolia virginiana) in thick swamp. 

 (E. G. H.) The Black Vulture is not so graceful a flier as the Turkey 

 Vulture, but is the more powerful of the two, and whenever a dispute 

 arises, perhaps over some savory morsel, the Turkej Vulture always comes 

 out second best. 



48. Elanoides forficatus. Swallow-tailed Kite. — One seen May 

 1, 1909, at Barachias, flying steadily southwestward. 



