452 'Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX. 



Swallow-tailed Kite. 



The Swallow-tailed Kite is more or less common in Illinois and 

 casual in Wisconsin, where according to Kumlien and Hollister it 

 was found breeding near Fort Atkinson in the summer of 1854. Dr. 

 Hoy gives it as nesting near Racine in 1848. A specimen is preserved 

 in the Milwaukee Public Museum, shot in Milwaukee County, May 1 5 , 

 1888. 



There are numerous records of its occurrence in Illinois. Prof. 

 Ridgway shot one near Mt. Carmel and states that in former years it 

 was common throughout the state. (Orn. of 111., Vol. I, 1889, p. 445.) 

 Mr. Frank M. Woodruff writes (Birds of Chicago Area, 1907, p. 91.): 

 "Mr. J. Grafton Parker, Jr., shot one at Lake Villa, a few miles from 

 Chicago, on June 5, 1895. Mr. Henry K. Coale reports the taking of 

 three adult specimens at Highland Park in April, 1905." 



The nest is a mass of sticks and grass placed in a tree, usually at a 

 considerable distance from the ground. The eggs are 4 to 6, dull 

 white, speckled and blotched with chocolate brown, and measure 

 about 1.90 X 1.50 inches. 



