Nehrling on Birds of Southeastern Texas. 1 73 



twigs, and is sometimes lined with a bunch of Spanish moss, but this ma>- 

 be accidental- 



130. Speotyto cunicularia liypogaea Ridgvj. Burrowing Owl. — 

 This little Owl is e\eiw year increasing in numbers. Breeds in the higher 

 prairies, and also in waste fields, in holes. They also breed in the burrows 

 of the salamander, a species of Geowys, probably Geomys piiietis. I have 

 not seen their eggs. 



131. Falco mexicanus polyagrus Cones. Prairie Falcon. — This 

 noble bird is resident on the borders of woods near prairies, but it is by 

 no means a comm'on bird. Its flight is graceful, but always low; its food 

 is said to consist especially of Prairie Chickens and domestic fowl. 



132. iEisalon columbarius Kauf. Pigeon Hawk. — Common in fall 

 and winter, as soon as the large flocks of Blackbirds and difli'erent Finches 

 appear from the north, among which it makes great havoc. None remain 

 to breed. Thej' disappear quite early, usually in the first days of March. 



133. Tinnunciilus sparverius Vie/'ll. Sparrow Hawk. — Common 

 in fall and winter, but never oliserved during the breeding season. This 

 bird also does great harm among our small birds. 



134. Polyborus cheriway Cab. Caracara Eagle ; Mexic.\n Eagle ; 

 "Mexican Buzzard." — Regularly distributed, but in this part of Texas 

 is not so common as farther in the interior. It is a very showy bird, and 

 the flight is extremely elegant and quick. Although it is very shy and not 

 easily to be approached, it often builds its nest in trees not far from farm 

 houses. The farmers sa}' they are as harmless as Turkey Buzzards. The 

 nest is usually from twenty-five to thirty feet above the ground and is 

 built of sticks, sometimes lined with bits of cotton and Spanish moss; the 

 cavity is shallow. Often the birds, commonly single individuals, are to be 

 observed with Vultures feeding together on carrion. 



135. Elanoides forficatus Ridgv.'. Swallow-tailed> Kite ; Fork- 

 tailed Kite. — Abundant summer sojourner from the first part of March 

 to October. A beautiful bird, and one of the most characteristic species 

 of this locality. Especially abundant in the bottom woods near prairies 

 or fields. Nest very high in slender trees in the river and creek bottoms; 

 it is built of sticks and Spanish moss. I never had an opportunity to 

 collect eggs of this bird as the nests, in almost every case, were out of 

 reach. In August and September the birds are often seen in cotton fields, 

 where they feed on cotton worms and other insects. They are particularly 

 fond of small snakes, such as Lepfoftii's, Rhfnostoma coccinea, lizards 

 {Anolius caioUnensis and Ameiva !<ex-l/ncafa). I never have seen them 

 take a bird or a small quadruped. 



136. Elanus glaucus Co?/e5. White-tailed Kite. — This rare and 

 beautiful bird I have seen several times sailing over cotton fields. Its flight 

 is easy and graceful, but not rapid ; sometimes it stops a few moments and 

 then descends with great velocity to the ground to capture a lizard or a 

 snake. It is not shy, and is easily recognized by its white tail. 



137. Ictinia siibcaerulea Cones. Mississippi Kite. — Not a common 

 summer resident, and verv shv and retiring in its habits. It is generally 



