Large Nests in Trees 



deep chestnut, in some cases almost completely covering the 

 whole ground." Size — 1.71 x 1.31. In South Carolina the nest- 

 ing season begins early in March. 



329. Mississippi Kite: Ictinia mississippiensis (Wiis.) 



Adult — Upper parts : Head gray ; back slate colour ; tail black ; 



under parts gray. Length — 14.00. 

 Breeding Range — From South Carolina, southward ; casually from 



Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Iowa in the interior (A. O. U. 



check-list). 



The nests are built in trees at from twenty to fifty feet from 

 the ground ; they are made of dry and green twigs, leaves, and 

 moss, and are rather bulky, the walls being very thick. The 

 eggs, numbering from 2 to 3, are dull white or slightly tinged 

 with green or blue. Size — 1.64 x 1.28. 



The breeding season probably begins about the end of April 

 or early in May. 



330. Everglade Kite: Rostrhamus sociabiiis (Vieiil.) 



Eggs dusky white or brownish, with blotches and spots of 

 reddish brown. 



See Page 77, Chapter IV. 



332. Sharp-shinned Hawk: Accipiter velox (Wils.) 



Adult — Upper parts bluish slate colour ; tail, which is square, is 

 gray, barred with blackish brown ; under parts barred with 

 white, buff, and rusty brown. Length — 5,11.25; ?, 13.50. 



Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States. 



The nest of sticks and twigs is placed in a crotch, or against 

 the tree trunk, at a height of from ten to sixty feet. The tree 

 selected varies according to locality ; in some places pines are 

 most often chosen, but oak, birch, or dead trees are also used ; 

 the nest is rarely in cavities or on ledges of rock. The eggs, num- 

 bering from 3 to 5 or 6, are white, tinged with green, blue, or 

 gray, "sometimes unmarked," but usually spotted, blotched, 

 clouded, and streaked with various shades of browns, rust colour, 

 chocolate, and lilac. Size — 1.50 x 1.16. 



123 



