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FALCON I FORMES 
Field Marks. A large, black bird next in size to the eagles (Figure 174-1), usually seen 
sweeping around in great circles or soaring on motionless wings high in the air. Seen 
from below, the forepart of the wings and body is coal black and the flight feathers a shade 
or so lighter (Figure 173) giving an effect of black arms with silvery grey wings. The 
tail is comparatively long and round. Often the white bill or bare, red head and neck are 
seen as a flash of colour, making determination certain. 
Nesting. On the ground, usually in a hollow log, or under an upturned stump. 
Distribution. Only accidental in the Maritime Provinces. It occurs regularly in 
limited numbers in Lake Erie district of Ontario. From Manitoba to the west coast it 
occurs more commonly along the southern boundary north to Duck Mountains and 
Edmonton. 
SUBSPECIES. The North American form is the Northern Turkey Vulture 
(le Vautour Commun du Nord) Cathartes aura septentrionalis. 
Economic Status. Being a carrion feeder no harm, can be charged 
against the species and after winters that have been unusually severe on 
the cattle of the plains, it may perform valuable services as a scavenger 
of dead animals. 
326. Black Vulture, le vautour noir. Coragiips Atratus. L, 24. Very like the 
Turkey Vulture, but slightly smaller. 
Distinctions. Distinguished from the preceding by the neck, head, and base of the 
bill being black instead of red or pink. 
Field Marks. The general blackness of the bare head parts. From below the wings 
look all black except for a large, lighter spot involving the primaries. The tail is com- 
paratively short and square. The bird is too rare in Canada to be recorded safely from 
sight observation except in the most exceptional circumstances. 
Distribution. A bird of more eastern distribution than the Turkey Vulture. Regular 
from Virginia south, straggling across our borders occasionally in the Maritime Provinces. 
Of too infrequent occurrence in Canada for more than passing men- 
tion. It is to be expected occasionally only in the Maritime Provinces. 
SUBORDER— FALCONES. HAWKS, EAGLES, ETC. 
General Description. Bill strongly hooked from the base (Figure 171, page 112), where 
it is covered with a swollen cere or mass of yellow, waxy-looking tissue in which the nostrils 
are situated. This tissue is distinctly softer than the bill proper and usually yellow in 
colour. The feet are powerful and furnished with strong claws or talons for capturing 
and holding living prey (Figure 170, page 112). 
Distinctions. The members of this suborder differ from the vultures in having the 
bill shorter and more strongly hooked and the head feathered instead of bare (Compare 
with Figure 172). The tarsus is usually bare and the toes are never feathered. 
Two familes are represented in Canada: Accipitriidae the kites, hawks, and eagles, 
and Falconidae the Caracaras and true falcons. 
Subfamily — Peminae. The Swallow-tailed Kites, etc. 
The kites are birds of southern distribution and only one species has 
ever been taken in Canada. 
327. Swallow'- tailed Kite, le milan a queue fourchue. Elanoides forficatus. 
L, 24. (Projection of outer tail feathers beyond middle ones 8 inches.) A rather small 
hawk. Measures large because of the great elongation of its outer tail feathers which 
extend 8 inches beyond the middle ones. Wings and tail pure black; all remainder, includ- 
ing head, shoulders, and upper back, white. A bird strikingly coloured in intense black 
and white, with the deeply forked tail and long, pointed wings of a Barn Swallow. It is 
hardly possible to mistake this for any other species. 
Distribution. Tropical and semitropical America, appearing very rarely along our 
southern border. The only records for Canada are based on a few old observations in 
southern Ontario, southern Manitoba, and adjoining parts of Saskatchewan. Under the 
conditions of a former abundance, it evidently wandered north more frequently than it 
does today. 
