174 N EH R LING OH Birds of Southeastern Texas. 



found in the same localities with Elanoides forjicatus. Its sailings are ex- 

 tremely beautiful and sometimes the bird is so high in the ^ir as to be 

 almost invisible. Like the Swallow-tailed Kite, it is often seen about 

 cotton fields, where it feeds on the cotton worms and on small snakes 

 and lizards. I have a few times seen the nest high up in the top of 

 gigantic pines, pin oaks and sycamores, entirely out of my reach. 



138. Circus hudsonius Vi'eill. Marsh Hawk. — Common resident 

 in the marshy prairies in the northern part of Harris County; also common 

 near the sugar-cane fields on the Brazos. It is very destructive to all the 

 smaller prairie birds, but it also feeds on snakes, frogs and lizards. I 

 never found a nest. 



139. Accipiter cooperi Bonap. Cooper's Hawk. — This very com- 

 mon and impudent robber is the most destructive of the Raptores to 

 the barnyard fowls; in a short time all the 3'oung chickens, turkeys, and 

 ducks are killed by it. It is so bold as to seize the poultry before the far- 

 mer's eyes, and in only few cases can the bird be punished, as it is very 

 diflScult to shoot. The flight is easy, very quick, and usually low. Nests 

 found in April had already half-grown young. They were similar to 

 Crows' nests, built of twigs in the tops of middle sized trees, and lined 

 with bunches of Tillandsia. 



140. Accipiter fuscus Bojiap. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common 

 i n winter. 



141. Buteo peuiisylvanicus Bonttp. Broad-winged Hawk. — Not 

 uncommon during the winter months, and a few remain to breed, nesting 

 in the high trees near the rivers and creeks. 



142. Buteo SAwainsoni Botiap. Sw.mnson's Hawk. — Not uncommon 

 during the breeding season ; often seen on the prairies near woods. 

 Many are killed, as they commit great havoc among the poultry. The 

 nest is built in the tallest trees, in an almost inaccessible position. 



143. Haliaetus leucocephalus ^^/t'/^. Bald Eagle: White-headed 

 Eagle. — This is not a common bird, but is known to breed in certain 

 parts of this region. They build their nests in the tallest trees of the river 

 bottoms. Two young, taken out of a nest in the spring of 18S0. became 

 verj^ tame pets. 



144. Cathartes aura Illi'g- Turkey Buzzard. — Very abundant, and 

 resident throughout the year. Nests on the ground. 



145. Catharista atrata Less. Black Vulture ; Carrion Crow. — 

 Common but not abundant; about one-twentieth as common as the Tur- 

 key Buzzard. Breeds on the ground in the grassy prairies. 



146. Ectopistes migratoria S-m. Passenger Pigeon. — Occasionally 

 common during the migrations. In September and October, 1S81, I saw 

 immense numbers in the post oak woods, where they were feeding on 

 acorns. 



147. Zenaidura caroliuensis Bonap. Mourning Dove. — Very 

 abundant, and resident throughout the year. In very cold winters many 

 migrate farther south. They raise, at least in this part of the country, 

 three broods yearly. On the prairies the nest is not unfrequently placed 

 upon the ground. 



