Chapter VIII 

 OPEN NESTS IN TREES, BUSHES, AND VINES 



Part I.— LARGE NESTS IN TREES 



327. Swallow-tailed Kite : Elanoides forficatus (Linn.) 



^(/a/c— Upper parts blue black, except the head, which, together 

 with the under parts, is white ; tail deeply forked. Length 

 — 24.00. 



Breeding Range — The Southern States, northward along the Mis- 

 sissippi Valley to Illinois; "casually east to Pennsylvania 

 and southern New England." 



The nest, composed of sticks, and sometimes green moss, is 

 placed on the topmost branches of a tall tree, usually near water- 

 courses ; it is a bulky structure. " Outwardly it measures eigh- 

 teen inches in diameter, depth twelve inches." (Davie.) 2 to 4 

 eggs are laid ; they are white tinged with green or yellow, with 

 specks, spots, and blotches of various shades of brown and chest- 

 nut. Size — 1.85 X 1.46. 



These birds are said to fight desperately when their nests 

 are threatened, and abandon the nest if it be disturbed. In the 

 southern portion of their range the breeding season probably be- 

 gins early in April. 



328. White-tailed Kite: Elanus leucurus (Vieill.) 



Adult— \5'p^tY parts ashy gray ; whiter on the head ; wing coverts 

 black ; tail and under parts white. Length — 15.50. 



Breeding Range — Probably South Carolina, southern Illinois, and 

 Florida. 



The nest is placed at the topmost branch of a tree, near 

 water ; it is a shallow structure of sticks, thinly lined with bark 

 and sometimes straw. 3 to 5 eggs are laid (Davie) ; they are 

 "dull creamy white, thickly blotched, dotted, and tinged with 



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