SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. 79 
during summer, but is observed in autumn going farther 
south to pass the winter. According to Vieillot, it visits 
Peru and Buenos Ayres. 
The habits of this bird have been detailed from personal 
observation by the American Ornithologists, Messrs. Wil- 
son, Audubon, and Nuttall: and to Mr. Audubon’s Bio- 
graphy I am indebted for the following particulars of the 
geographical distribution and habits of this bird. 
“‘ A solitary individual of this species has once or twice 
been seen in Pennsylvania. Farther to the eastward the 
Swallow-tailed Hawk has never, I believe, been observed. 
Travelling southward, along the Atlantic coast, we find it 
in Virginia, although in very small numbers. Beyond that 
State it becomes more abundant. Near the falls of the 
Ohio a pair had a nest and reared four young ones in 
1820. In the lower parts of Kentucky it begins to be- 
come numerous; but in the States farther to the south, 
and particularly in parts near the sea, it is abundant. In 
the large prairies oy the Attacapas and Oppellousas, it is 
extremely common.’ 
‘“< In the States of leonteaita and Mississippi, where these 
birds are abundant, they arrive in large companies in the 
beginning of April, and are heard utterimg a sharp plaintive 
note. “At this period I generally remarked that they came 
from the westward, and have counted upwards of a hun- 
dred in the space of an hour, passing over me in a direct 
easterly course. At that season, and in the beginning of 
September, when they all retire from the United States, 
they are easily approached when they have alighted, being 
then apparently fatigued, and busily engaged in preparing 
themselves for continuing their journey, by dressing and 
oiling their feathers. At all other times, however, it is 
extremely difficult to get near them, as they are generally 
