BIRDS OF PREY 
KITES, HAWKS AND EAGLES. Family BUTEONID^E 
The members of this family are chiefly diurnal; they get their living by 
preying upon smaller animals or birds. They have strong sharply hooked 
bills, powerful legs and feet armed with strong, curved and sharply pointed 
talons. 
327. Swallow-tailed Kite. 
Elanoides forfcatus. 
Range. — Southern United States; casually 
north to New York and Manitoba. 
White 
Swallow-tailed Kite 
This most beautiful Kite can never be mis- 
taken for any other; its whole head, neck and 
underparts are snowy white, while the back, wings and tail are glossy blue 
black, the wings being very long and the tail long and deeply forked. The ex- 
treme length of the bird is 24 inches. As a rule nests of this bird are placed 
high up in the tallest trees; they are made of sticks, weeds and moss. Two 
eggs, or rarely three, constitute a full set. They are white or bluish white, 
spotted with brown. The one figured is an unusually handsome marked speci- 
men in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall. Average size of eggs, 1.80 x 1.50. 
Data. — Yegna Creek bottoms, Texas, April 27, 1891. Two eggs. Nest of sticks 
and green moss, the same moss also being used for lining; in an elm tree 80 
feet up. 
328. White-tailed Kite. Elanus leucurus. 
Range. — Southern United States, north to the 
California. 
This species can be recognized by its light 
bluish gray mantle, black shoulders and white 
tail. It is a very active species, feeding upon 
insects and reptiles, and small birds and mam- 
mals. The nests of these species are placed 
in trees at quite an elevation from the ground, 
being made of sticks, weeds and leaves. The 
eggs are creamy white, profusely blotched and 
spotted with reddish brown and umber. Size 
1.65 x 1.25. Data. — Los Angeles, Cal., April 9, 
1896. Nest in fork of willows about 25 feet up. 
Made of willow twigs and weed stalks, lined 
with pieces of bark, 
Carolinas, Illinois and middle 
Creamy white 
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