V °l9a7^J Allison, Spring Birds of Tishomingo Co., Miss. 17 



constructing their domed nests under tussocks of Andropogon, after May 

 10, and found eggs but once. 



I heard rather often a cry that I likened to the wild call of the Pileated 

 Woodpecker; as the birds were flushed, they would dart off with this 

 outburst of peculiarly wild sound; and the effect was startling. I think 

 only the male uttered it; and at times I heard birds apparently answering 

 each other, perhaps in challenge. 



6. Zenaidura macroura. Mourning Dove. — Fairly common, and 

 singing. 



7. Cathartes aura. Turkey Vulture. — Common, not abundant. 



8. Catharista urubu. Black Vulture. — Much less common than 

 the preceding. 



9. Elanoides forficatus. Swallow-tailed Kite. — One was seen 

 May 12, flying northward, and accurately described to me. 



10. Accipiter velox. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Occasional after May 

 2. 



11. Accipiter cooperi. Cooper's Hawk. — Not abundant, but quite 

 regular. On April 19 I found a nest, concerning which the female showed 

 much solicitude. She sailed about, uttering a dry, monotonous rattle, 

 but left when I climbed to the nest. It was about thirty-five feet up in a 

 post-oak. A similar nest, out of repair, was in a tree close by, having 

 doubtless formerly served the same birds. 



The occupied nest had a heavy foundation of twigs, overlaid with 

 rootlets; but it was lined with scales of pine bark, on which lay three 

 short oval eggs, quite fresh, but slightly nest-stained. 



12. Buteo borealis. Red-tailed Hawk. — I think a pair bred on 

 the hills back of the house in which I stayed; these were the only ones I 

 saw. 



13. Buteo platypterus. Broad-winged Hawk. — The commonest 

 of the hawks; I found no nests, but saw and heard the birds often. 



14. Haliaetus leucocephalus. Bald Eagle. — A pair flew over, 

 screaming, late in the evening of April 29. 



15. Syrnium varium. Barred Owl. — Rare. 



16. Megascops asio. Screech Owl. — Heard one May 10. 



17. Coccyzm americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. — This bird ap- 

 parently did not arrive until April 28; after that date one or two were 

 seen daily, until the bulk arrived May 3. 



The habit of nocturnal song was very noticeable; I find these entries 

 in my note-book: "May 1 .... At night I heard the full song of a Yellow- 

 billed Cuckoo, delivered, I thought, while the bird was in flight." "May 

 8 . . . . Almost every night I hear the notes of Yellow-billed Cuckoos; I 

 can rarely be sure whether or not they are flying; usually they are at 

 rest, I think." 



18. Ceryle alcyon. Belted Kingfisher. — Not common. 



19. Dryobates villosus audubonii. Southern Hairy Woodpecker. 

 — Common. 



