FALCONS. 



193 



In its native land, where it is generally known as the Mississippi kite, the 

 figured species is a common bird in many districts, more especially in parts of 

 Texas. Its favourite feeding - grounds are said to be the cotton-fields: where 

 it may be seen at one moment soaring high in the air, and soon after just skim- 

 ming above the tops of the plants, or flying between the rows. It seldom alights : 

 but may now and then be observed perched on some dead tree, when it suffers 

 itself to be approached within ' fifteen or twenty yards before taking wing. The 

 food of this species is believed to consist mainly of large insects, probably 



MISSISSIPPI FALCON AND SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (i nat. size). 



supplemented with small rodents and reptiles. The nest is built in a tree, usually 

 in a fork, and may be used for two or more seasons in succession. Usually but 

 two or three eggs are laid, which differ from those of most members of the family 

 in being of a uniform bluish white colour, without spots. In defence of their 

 iiest and young these birds are said to display great courage. 



crested Falcons ^ he crested falcons, of which there are several species ranging 



' from India through Malayana to North Australia, and to Africa, and 



Madagascar, differ, as we have seen, from the last genus by having two notches 



on the edge of the beak and by their shorter wings ; while they are distinguished 



from all other members of the subfamily by the crest of elongated feathers at the 



VOL. iv. 1^5 



