LAND BIRDS. 261 
the possession of Mr. Herbert Randall of Ann Arbor, but we have not been 
able to examine either specimen. The record of a Grand Rapids specimen 
by Professor Cook was partly incorrect; Mr. Stewart E. White, to whom the 
capture was credited, merely recorded seeing a specimen. He says: 
“Identified while on the wing, but I think his peculiar shape and color- 
ation leave slight room for doubt.’’ Dr. Atkins, of Locke, reported it as 
‘“‘a rare summer resident,” but there can be little doubt that this was a 
mistake. 
The bird is a southern species, nowhere common, and not likely to occur 
except as an extremely rare wanderer in southern Michigan. The nest 
is placed on trees, usually near the water, and the eggs, which average 
1.71 by 1.31 inches, are “handsomely marbled or clouded with various 
shades of rich madder brown on a paler, sometimes whitish, ground” 
(Ridgway). 
Its food is similar to that of the Swallow-tailed Kite, and recent observers 
- fa confirm Audubon’s statement that it sometimes feeds on small 
irds. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Adult: Under parts pure white; upper parts bluish gray, bleaching to pure white 
on the head; a black spot in front of the eye; tail pure white; shoulders (lesser wing-coverts) 
deep black, rest of wing bluish white above, pure white below. Young: More or less 
rusty and brown-streaked above; tail crossed by an indistinct dark band near tip; wing- 
feathers tipped with white. Length 15.15 to 16.75 inches; wing 11.50 to 13.30; tail 5.90 
to 7.40. 
133. Mississippi Kite. Ictinia mississippiensis (Wils.). (329) 
Synonyms: Blue Kite——Falco misisippiensis, Wils., 1811.—Falco plumbeus, Aud., 
1831.—Ictinia plumbea, Bonap., Nutt. 
Known from other kites by its bluish-gray color, becoming lighter or 
nearly white on the head, and darkening almost to black on wings and tail. 
Distribution.—Southern United States, east of the Rocky Mountains; 
southward regularly from South Carolina on the coast, to Guatemala, and 
casually north to Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Iowa. 
The title of this bird to a place in the Michigan list appears to rest on a 
specimen said to have been taken in Cass county many years ago, and 
recorded in the manuscript list of the birds of the state by D. D. Hughes. 
This specimen is said to have been preserved, but we have been unable 
to get any trace of it. The species is mentioned also in Stockwell’s Forest 
and Stream list where it is said to be “rare in Michigan.” 
The Mississippi Kite, like several of its relatives, often occurs in flocks 
and is a tireless and graceful flyer. Its food consists ‘‘of insects such as 
the larger beetles, grasshoppers and locusts, lizards, small snakes, and 
frogs. It never has been known to molest birds or mammals” (A. K. 
Fisher). 
It nests in the tops of very tall trees, laying two or three nearly white 
- eggs, sometimes faintly marked with pale brown, and averaging 1.63 by 
1.32 inches. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Adult: Uniform bluish-gray or lead color, becoming lighter on head and darker on 
wings and tail; inner webs of outer wing-feathers partly rufous. A blackish spot in front 
of the eye. Iris red; legs and feet dull red. Young: Similar, but streaked andjspotted 
with brown below, and the tail with three or more narrow bands of gray or grayish white. 
Length 13 to 15.50 inches; wing 10.60 to 12.30; tail 6 to 7. 
