60 
THE MltDti OF WISCONSIN. 
now a regular and common breeder in thickly settled parts of 
every village, and even the large cities, and when unmolested 
becomes very tame. 
ORDER RAPTORES: BIRDS OF PREY. 
FAMILY CATHARTID/E: AMERICAN VULTURES. 
Catliartes aura (Linn.). TURKEY VULTURE. 
Of regular occurrence along the Mississippi at least as far 
north as Pierce County. We have records also for Racine, 
Milwaukee, Two Rivers, De Pere, Beaver Dam, Delavan, 
Stevens Point, Iron River (Bayfield County), etc., becides more 
than a dozen for Lake Koshkonong. These records are prin- 
cipally in July and August, although it has been taken at Kosh- 
konong as early as April 28 and as late as November 2. The 
specimens are mostly young of the year. Grundtvig reports 
the vulture from Outagamie County in 1882 and 1883, and 
thinks it breeds near Shiocton, where he noted it during April, 
May, August and September (1). The species undoubtedly 
breeds sparingly in the southwestern part of the state. The 
principal food of the "buzzard" at Lake Koshkonong seems to 
be dead fish. There is a general impression among many 
people in the north that this bird, as well as all others of the 
Raptores, is in some manner "destructive" and should be killed 
at sight. This opinion prevails among many who should know 
better. The safe plan to follow is that all birds should be 
protected. We are not believers in the so-called "injurious" 
species and hope to see the day when no distinction will be 
made as to the birds which shall be protected. 
FAniLY FALCONID/E: FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, 
ETC. 
Elanoides forficatus (Linn.). SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. 
Thure Kumlien found this species breeding near Fort 
Atkinson in the summer of 1854. Prior to this date it was 
noted at different times in Jefferson, Rock and Dane Counties. 
According to Dr. Hoy it nested near Racine up to 1848, but 
1. Trans. Wis. Acad. Sciences, Arts and Letters X. p. 107. 
