I 4 Barlow, Nesh'ng Habits of While-tailed Kite. \^^n 



injurious species are more frequent in the birds than the useful 

 kinds." It is gratifying to learn this, as the Starling has been 

 introduced into America, and in time may possibly become numer- 

 ous enough to be of economic importance. 



Mr. Gilmour makes the following happy summation of the 

 status of the three birds whose food habits he has investigated. 

 " Of the Pigeon it may be said that he is an unmitigated scoun- 

 drel ; of the Rook that he is a cunning rogue ; but of the Starling 

 we can say with truth that he is our natural friend, by habit and 

 by instinct." 



SOME NOTES ON THE NESTING HABITS OF THE 

 WHITE-TAILED KITE. 



BY CHESTER BARLOW. 



The White-tailed Kite {Elanus leucurus) is perhaps as common 

 in certain portions of California as anywhere throughout its 

 breeding range, and it is resident in Santa Clara County, where 

 the genial climate and almost perennial sunshine are conducive 

 to an abundant food supply. Santa Clara County lies south of 

 the San Francisco Bay region, and its northern boundary is the 

 lower shore of San Francisco Bay. The northern portion of the 

 county consists of the ' lowlands,' which support, in many places, 

 a luxuriant growth of willow. Toward the ranges which sur- 

 round the valley there are magnificent fields of live oaks and 

 white oaks, which have attained in many places a grand perfection. 

 Considerable of this country is given to farming, and here the 

 trees have been spared. Approaching the foot-hills, and all 

 through the valley from San Jose southward, especially along the 

 water courses, the sycamore and white oak are most commonly 

 met with, and afford the Buteo tribe many available and secure 

 nesting sites. Thus it will be seen that certain portions of Santa 

 Clara County are peculiarly attractive to raptorial birds as breed- 



