Chapter VlII 

 OPEN NESTS IN TREES, BUSHES, AND VINES 



Part I.— LARGE NESTS IN TREES 



327. Swallow-tailed Kite : Elanoides forficatus (Linn.) 



Adult — Upper parts blue black, except the head, which, together 

 with the under parts, is white ; tail deeply forked. Length 

 — 24.00. 



Breeding Range — The Southern States, northward along the Mis- 

 sissippi Valley to Illinois; "casually east to Pennsylvania 

 and southern New England." 



The nest, composed of sticks, and sometimes green moss, is 

 placed on the topmost branches of a tall tree, usually near water- 

 courses ; it is a bulky structure. "Outwardly it measures eigh- 

 teen inches in diameter, depth twelve inches." (Davie.) 2 to 4 

 eggs are laid ; they are white tinged with gi-een or yellow, with 

 specks, spots, and blotches of various shades of brown and chest- 

 nut. Size — 1.85 X 1.46. 



These birds are said to fight desperately when their nests 

 are threatened, and abandon the nest if it be disturbed. In the 

 southern portion of their range the breeding ^season probably be- 

 gins early in April. 



328. White-tailed Kite: Elanus leucurus (Vieill.) 



Adult — Upper parts ashy gray ; whiter on the head ; wing coverts 

 black ; tail and under parts white. Length — 15.50. 



Breeding Range — Probably South Carolina, southern Illinois, and 

 Florida. 



The nest is placed at the topmost brEwich of a tree, near 

 water ; it is a shallow structure of sticks, thinly lined with bark 

 and sometimes straw. 3 to 5 eggs are laid (Davie) ; they are 

 "dull creamy white, thickly blotched, dotted, and tinged with 



