Harris— Birds of the Kansas City Region. 259 



[Zenaidura macroura marginella (Woodhouse). "Western 

 Mourning Dove.] 

 Recent subspecies. Probable migrant and summer resident. 



This recently separated form is said to range eastward into 

 the Mississippi Valley. When more specimens have been taken 

 for comparison, it will without doubt be found to occur regu- 

 larly in migration as well as in summer. 



Order EAPTOEES. Birds of Prey. 



Suborder Sarcorhamphi. American Vultures. 



Family Cathartidae. American Vultures. 



Cathartes aura septentrionalis Wied. Turkey Vulture. 

 Common migrant and summer resident. 



A few Turkey Vultures arrive from the south in the latter 

 part of February, but more often in the first half of March. 

 They leave during November and December, though a few may 

 remain into the first week in January. 



The Buzzard nests in secluded places throughout the county, 

 chiefiy in the cliffs along the water courses. Fifteen or twenty 

 pairs (twenty -seven birds have been seen circling at one time) 

 nest regularly in the rocky ledges in and about Swope Park 

 and have a common roost near the point where the Hickman's 

 Mills Eoad branches. 



They begin laying from the middle of April to the first of 

 May and build no nest. The two beautifully marked eggs are 

 to be found on the bare ground among rocks, in stumps, hollow 

 trees and logs. 



Suborder Falcones. Vultures, Falcons, Hawks, Buzzards, 

 Eagles, Kites, Harriers, etc. 



Family BuTEONmAE. Hawks, Eagles, Kites, etc. 



Elanoides porpicatus (Linn.). Swallow-tailed Kite. 

 Occasional summer visitant; rare summer resident. 



Keeent dates for the Swallow-tailed Kite, given by Bush, are 

 as follows : In the summer of 1912 two pairs nested in the bot- 

 toms near Courtney ; on March 22, 1916, one was seen at Court- 



