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 (Wils.) 
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. 
830. Everglade Kite: Rostrhamus sociabilis (Vieill.) 
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—4, 11.25; 9, 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. 
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