316 LIFE HISTORIES OP NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



shore. They did not attack outgoing birds, but invariably waited for the 

 incoming ones, and as soon as these were over land (so that the contents 

 of their pouches should not fall in the water) they pounced on them. 



"They were not especially shy, but rarely came within shooting dis- 

 tance, and were generally silent on the breeding grounds, but sometimes as 

 they left the nest they uttered a prolonged cackling note." 



"Mr. Herbert Brown informs me: "The Caracaras are common about 

 Tucson, Arizona, in the vicinity of slaughter houses. On a hot day during 

 the summer they can be seen frequently standing on the ground in the 

 shade of bushes near where they feed. Some years ago I bought three 

 young ones from a Papago Indian, who took them from a nest in a sahuara 

 cactus, about 16 miles southwest of town. I kept them until they were 

 full grown ; they were extremely vicious, and would make a hissing noise 

 and strike out with their feet whenever approached, notwithstanding the 

 kindness that was shown them. This was their favorite method of settling 

 disputes among themselves. They could inflict a very ugly wound, and I 

 was much more afraid of their feet than their beaks." 



According to Mr. William Lloyd they are very rare in Concho and 

 Menard Counties, Texas, nesting from the last week in April until May 

 20. The nests here are usually placed in oaks or pines at a height of 18 

 to 50 feet. He says: "Although carrion feeding birds, they are very fond 

 of live fish and frogs. I have seen them fishing repeatedly in Sonora, 

 Mexico. In Concho County I have seen them hunting prairie dogs, in 

 couples, and once showing a high degree of intelligence. One was hidden 

 behind a tussock of grass while the other danced before a young lamb, trying 

 to lead it from the place where its mother was grazing to where its companion 

 was hidden. The ruse was nearly successful, as the lamb began to follow, 

 but the dam, anxiously watching, finally called it back. 



The nest is large and compact, with a depth of 4 or 5 inches. In one case 

 at least, in Concho, they used the same nest for two successive seasons." 



Mr. Nehrling says : " It is a showy bird and its flight is extremely 

 elegant and quick. Although very shy, and not easily approached, it often 

 builds its nest in trees not far from farmhouses. The fanners say they 

 are as harmless as Turkey Buzzards. The nest is usually from 25 to 30 

 feet above the ground, and is built of sticks, sometimes lined with bits of 

 cotton and Spanish moss; the cavity is very shallow. Often the birds, 

 commonly single individuals, are to be observed with Vultures feeding 

 together on carrion." 1 



Dr. James C. Merrill, U. S. Army, referring to this species, says : "I 

 have seen a Caracara chase a jack rabbit for some distance through 

 open mesquite chaparral, and while they were in sight the bird kept within 

 a few feet of the animal and constantly gained on it in spite of its sharp 

 turns and bounds. If one bird has caught a snake or field mouse its com- 



' Bulletin Nuttall Ornithological Club, Vol. vn, 1882, p. 173. 



