38 BIRDS OF PREY. 



no doubt, abounds more along the immense valley of the Mis- 

 sissippi than in the interior regions, and, besides large in- 

 sects, probably often consists of small birds, lizards, snakes, 

 and other reptiles, which swarm in these their favorite resorts. 

 On the failure of food these birds migrate by degrees into the 

 Mexican and South American provinces, and were observed 

 by D'Azara in Guiana, about the latitude of 7°. According to 

 Audubon, this Kite breeds in the Southern States as well as 

 in Texas, selecting the tall magnolias and white-oaks. From 

 the narrow limits within which this bird inhabits in the United 

 States, it is more than probable that the principal part of the 

 species are constant residents in the warmer parts of the Ameri- 

 can continent. They begin to migrate early in August. 



The range of this species is given as " southern United States 

 southward from South Carolina, and Wisconsin and Iowa to 

 Mexico." 



WHITE-TAILED KITE. 



black-shouldered kite. 

 Elanus leucurus. 



Char. General color bluish gray fading to white on head and tail ; a 

 large patch of black on shoulder; lower parts white. Length 15 to 16)4!^ 

 inches. 



Nest. In a tree, loosely built of sticks and leaves. 



Eggs. 2-4; dull white, heavily blotched with brown, 1.60 x 1-25. 



This beautiful Hawk, scarcely distinguishable from a second 

 African species of this section, chiefly inhabits the continent 

 of South America as far as Paraguay. In the United States it 

 is only seen occasionally in the peninsula of East Florida, con- 

 fining its visits almost to the southern extremity of the Union. 

 It appears to be very shy and difficult of approach ; flying in 

 easy circles at a moderate elevation, or at times seated on the 

 deadened branches of the majestic live-oak, it attentively 

 watches the borders of the salt-marshes and watery situations 



