Sept., 1922 THE SUMMER AVIFAUNA OF BIRD ISLAND, TEXAS 177 
46. Circus hudsonius. Marsh Hawk. A common breeding species in the low, 
marshy regions of the coast, seen only once over the Laguna Madre near Bird Island. 
A considerable number was noted between Corpus and Flour Bluff, where there is 
much low country. © 
47. Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi. Harris Hawk. A familiar daily sight was the 
high-circling flight of this characteristic south Texas hawk. Between Corpus and Flour 
Bluff nine of these large hawks were passed, sitting quietly on telegraph poles along 
the road, indifferent to the traffic beneath them. Probably breeds on the mainland, 
though no attempt was made to find a nest. 
48. Falco sparverius Sparverius. Sparrow Hawk. A very common breeding 
species on the mainland and on Padre, and seen but twice from Bird Island. The spe- 
cies lives almost entirely upon the large grasshoppers so abundant in the region. One 
of the species was found dead on Bird Island. 
Fig. 43. BLAcK SKIMMERS INCUBATING. 
49. Polyborus cheriway. Audubon Caracara. This queer looking ‘Mexican buz- 
zard” was seen between Corpus and Flour Bluff—a small flock of six standing on the 
ground near the road. Again, a single individual visited the pelican rookery on Bird Isl- 
and on June 1, evidently in search of fish, which it found. Standing on the sand spit 
at the north end of the island, the bird leisurely tore up and devoured a large mullet. 
50. Geococcyx californianus. Road-runner. Common on Padre Island only, 
where breeds in the mesquite thickets. This island seems to be an ideal place for the 
birds, there being fine breeding sites, and great open sand stretches across which the 
birds race with most astonishing speed. There is an abundance of insect and reptilian 
life on the island to afford the birds plenty of food. 
51. Coccyzus americanus americanus. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Seen several times 
on Padre Island, where also a nest of the species was found in a mesquite thicket. A 
dead specimen was found on Little Bird Island on May 30. 
