202 Bird Studies. 



Both birds breed rather high in trees, laying from three to six eggs. 

 Those of the smaller bird are 'about an inch and a half long by an inch and a 

 fifth in their other diameter. They vary in color from bluish white to cream, 

 and are distinctly spotted or washed with varying shades of brown. Cooper's 

 Hawk's eggs are bluish white in color, sometimes immaculate, but generally 

 spotted with pale brown. They are about an inch and nine tenths long and 

 rather more than an inch and a half in their smaller diameter. Both birds 

 are found throughout North America, breeding in the United States and 

 northward. 



Cooper's Hawk is perhaps more northern in its summer distribution. 

 Both winter from Central New England south to Mexico and Central 

 America. 



The introductory remarks in regard to the habits of the Goshawk are 

 applicable to both of its smaller relatives. 



A much enlarged Barn Swallow, a close copy of that bird in shape and 

 even in action ; a bird two feet lono-, with all the graceful lines of the Swal- 



o ' o 



s j. t '1 d ^ ow ' f rom tne f r ked tail and pointed wings to the short 

 Kite, neck ; such, in a general way is the first impression one 



Elanoidesforficatus (Linn.). getS of tllC SwalloW-tailed Kite. 



In color the birds are as noticeable as in form. Adults have the head, 

 neck, and a band across the rump, and the under parts pure white. The 

 back, wings, and tail are lustrous black, with some iridescent areas. The 

 smaller inner quill feathers of the wings are white, with blackish tips. 



These birds build nests in high trees, where they lay from two to four 

 eggs. These are white or cream colored, variously spotted and marked with 

 different shades of brown. The eggs are more than an inch and four fifths 

 long, and nearly an inch and a half in width. 



The birds are more frequent in the interior than elsewhere in Eastern 

 North America, ranging as far north as Minnesota. On the coast they range 

 commonly to the Carolinas, and casually from there north to Southern New 

 England. They winter in Central and South America. They breed irregu- 

 larly and locally throughout their North American range. 



Twenty-five years ago it was possible almost anywhere in our Eastern 

 States where there was woodland to see some Wild Pigeons every spring 



