Open Nests on the Ground 



still the common game bird of the Central States. The habits dur- 

 ing the mating season have been well described by Colonel Goss. 

 "They select a smooth open courtship ground (usually called a 

 scratching ground), where the males assemble at the early dawn 

 to vie with each other in courage and pompous display, uttering 

 at the same time their love call, a loud booming noise; as soon 

 as this is heard by the hen birds desirous of mating, they quietly 

 put in an appearance, squat upon the ground, apparently indiffer- 

 ent observers, until claimed by victorious rivals." 



They breed towards the end of April in Kansas and Nebraska. 

 Incubation occupies from three to four weeks. 



325. Turkey Vulture or Buzzard : Cathartes aura (Linn.) 



Eggs creamy white with brownish or reddish blotches and 

 purplish spots. 



See Page 57, Chapter II. 



326. Black Vulture: Catharista atrata (Bartr.) 



Eggs bluish white with dark brown blotches. 

 See Page 58, Chapter II. 



331. Marsh Harrier or Marsh Hawk: Circus hudsonius 

 (Linn.) 



Adult $ Upper parts light bluish gray ; rump white ; tail barred 

 black or brownish ; breast light gray at upper part shading 

 into white; belly white barred warm brown. 



Adult $ Upper parts dark brownish; wing coverts edged with 

 light rusty brown ; under parts dark buff streaked with 

 brown. 



Immature birds resemble the adult ? without the streaks 

 on the belly. $ Length 19.00. 



Breeding Range The entire United States. 



The nest is placed on the ground, and is "from three to 

 seven inches high and a foot or more in diameter; " it is formed 

 of grass, twigs, and sometimes moss. The eggs are white or 

 bluish white, occasionally marked with pale brown spots. Size 

 i. 80 x 1.45. 



37 



