SWALLOW-TAILED FALCON. 
Elanoides furcdtus. 
The Swallow-tailed Falcon 
bears so strong a resemblance to 
the swallow, that it might easily 
be taken for a common swallow, 
or swift, as it flies circling in the 
air in search of the insect prey on 
which it feeds. Even the flight is 
very much of the same character 
in both birds, and the mode of 
feeding very similar. The usual 
food of the Swallow-tailed Kite 
consists of the larger insects, 
which it either catches on the 
Aving, or snatches from the leaves 
as it shoots past the bushes. 
Various locusts, cicadse, and 
other insects, are captured in this 
manner. It is very fond of wasps 
and their grubs, and has been no- 
ticed to excavate a wasp’s nest, 
and to tear away the comb with 
its strong claAvs. Reptiles, such as 
small snakes, lizards, and frogs, 
also form part of the food of this 
elegant bird. While it is en gaged 
in the pursuit of such prey, or in 
catching the large insects upon 
the branches, it may be ap- 
proached and shot without much 
difficulty, as it is so intent upon 
its prey that it fails to notice its 
human foe. 
Audubon found that when he 
had succeeded in killing one of 
these birds, he could shoot as many more as he chose, because they have a habit of 
circling round the body of their slaughtered comrade, and sweeping round it as 
if they were endeavouring to carry it aAvay. 
The nest of the SAvallow-tailed ITawk is generally found on the very summit of 
some lofty rock or pine, and is almost ahvays in the near vicinity of water. It is 
composed of small sticks externally, and is lined with grasses, moss, and feathers. 
