174 Nehrling on Birds of Southeaster ?i Texas. 
found in the same localities with Elanoides forficatus. Its sailings are ex- 
tremely beautiful and sometimes the bird is so high in the air as to be 
almost invisible. Like the Swallow-tailed Kite, it is often seen about I 
cotton fields, where it feeds on the cotton worms and on small snakes 
and lizards. I have a few times seen the nest high up in the top of 
gigantic pines, pin oaks and sycamores, entirely out of my reach. 
138. Circus hudsonius Vieill. Marsh Hawk. — Common resident [! 
in the marshy prairies in the northern part of Harris County ; also common 
near the sugar-cane fields on the Brazos. It is very destructive to all the 
smaller prairie birds, but it also feeds on snakes, frogs and lizards. I 1 
never found a nest. 
139. Accipiter cooperi Bonap . Cooper’s Hawk. — This very com- 
mon and impudent robber is the most destructive of the Raptores to p 
the barnyard fowls; in a short time all the young chickens, turkeys, and ; 
ducks are killed by it. It is so bold as to seize the poultry before the far- 
mer’s eyes, and in only few cases can the bird be punished, as it is very ' 
difficult to shoot. The flight is easy, very quick, and usually low. Nests 
found in April had already half-grown young. They were similar to 
Crows’ nests, built of twigs in the tops of middle sized trees, and lined 
with bunches of Tillandsia. 
140. Accipiter fuscus Bonap. Sharp-shinned Hawk. — Common 
i n winter. 
141. Buteo pennsylvanicus Bonap . Broad-winged Hawk. — Not 
uncommon during the winter months, and a few remain to breed, nesting 
in the high trees near the rivers and creeks. , 
142. Buteo swainsoni Bonap. Swainson’s Hawk. — Not uncommon 
during the breeding season ; often seen on the prairies near woods. 
Many are killed, as they commit great havoc among the poultry. The 
nest is built in the tallest trees, in an almost inaccessible position. 
143. Haliaetus leucocephalus Savig. Bald Eagle ; White-headed 
Eagle. — This is not a common bird, but is known to breed in certain 
parts of tbis region. They build their nests in the tallest trees of the river 
bottoms. Two young, taken out of a nest in the spring of 1880, became 
very tame pets. 
144. Cathartes aura Illig. Turkey Buzzard. — Very abundant, and 
resident throughout the year. Nests on the ground. 
145. Catharista atrata Less. Black Vulture ; Carrion Crow. — 
Common but not abundant; about one-twentieth as common as the Tur- 
key Buzzard. Breeds on the ground in the grassy prairies. 
146. Ectopistes migratoria Srv. Passenger Pigeon.— Occasionally 
common during the migrations. In September and October, 1881, I saw 
immense numbers in the post oak woods, where they were feeding on 
acorns. v 
147. Zenaidura carolinensis Bonap. Mourning Dove. — Very 
abundant, and resident throughout the year. In very cold winters many 
migrate farther south. They raise, at least in this part of the country, 
three broods yearly. On the prairies the nest is not unfrequently placed 
upon the ground. 
