220 



AUDUBON CARACARA 

 362. Polyborus cheriicay. 22 in. 



These peculiar birds cannot be mistaken for any of 

 our hawks or falcons. They are very sluggish birds, 

 with habits resembling both those of buzzards and some 

 of the hawks. They are usually known in localities 

 where they are found, as Caracara Eagles. As we might 

 suspect from the shape of their bill, the naked and 

 bristle-covered lores, and the feet, which have not the 

 strongly hooked talons of hawks, the food of these birds 

 is largely carrion. It is terrestrial in its habits and is 

 most often seen, when not in flight, either upon the 

 ground, or standing erect on branches at lo\v elevations. 

 They are more quarrelsome in their disposition than 

 are vultures, and frequently fight over their prey. 



Nest. A bulky, but shabby pile of sticks and weeds, 

 in bushes or low trees; eggs buff, sprinkled, spotted or 

 blotched with yellowish brown or chestnut. (2.50x 1.80). 



Range. Resident of the Mexican border of the U. S. 

 and in southern Florida. 



