FAM. XXIX. HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 



197 



more or less marked with reddish-brown, and the tail with an 

 ashy bar near the tip. The tarsus is feathered half way down 

 in front, and the ex- ■r-''isjm^ 



posed portion is finely J^ "^ 



reticulated. This is one 

 of the strongest of the 

 kites ; its food consist- 

 ing of birds, quadru- 

 peds, reptiles, and in- 

 sects. Common in 

 marshy regions, west , 

 of the Mississippi. 

 (B 1 a c k-s houldered 

 Kite.) 



Length, 15-17; wing, 12J (IIJ-LSJ) ; tail, 7; tarsus, If; culmeii, |. 

 Southern United States ; "breeding north to South Carolina and southern 

 Illinois, and south throughout most of South America. Casual in Michi- 

 gan. It winters south of our territory. 



3. Mississippi Kite (329. Ictinia mississippiinsis). — A kite 

 with slate-colored wings and back, light gray head, 

 neck, and bell}'^, and black, unbarred tail. The 

 primaries are blotched with much chestnut. 

 The yoiuifj lacks the chestnut of the wings, 

 has the head more or less streaked with 

 black and white, and the tail marked 

 with a few white, irregular bars. 



Wliite-tailed Kite 



Length, 13-1 5 J ; wing, 11^ (10 J- 

 Vil); tail, 6 J ; tarsus, IJ ; cul- 

 men, |. Southern United 

 States east of the Rocky 

 Mountains; breeding 

 north to South Carolina, 

 southern Illinois, and 

 Kansas, and wintering in 

 the tropics. 



4. 



slate- 



Mississippi Kite 



Everglade Kite (330. RostrMmus socidbiUs). — A dark, 

 •colored kite, with the upper tail coverts and the base of 



