96 
BIRDS OF PREY. 
ed by the abundance of the fruitful valley of the Missis- 
sippi, individuals have been seen along that river as far 
as the Falls of St. Anthony, in the 44th degree of north 
latitude. Indeed, according to Fleming, two stragglers 
have even found their devious way to the strange climate 
of Great Britain. 
They appear in the United States about the close of 
April or beginning of May, and are very numerous in 
the Mississippi territory, 20 or 30 being sometimes visi- 
ble at the same time, often collecting locusts and other 
large insects, which they are said to feed on from their 
claws while flying ; at times also seizing upon the nests of 
locusts and wasps, and like the Honey-Buzzard, devour- 
ing both the insects and their larvae. Snakes and lizards 
are their common food in all parts of America. In the 
month of October they begin to retire to the south, at 
which season Mr. Bartram observed them in great num- 
bers assembled in Florida, soaring steadily at great ele- 
vations for several days in succession, and slowly pass- 
ing towards their winter-quarters along the Gulf of 
Mexico. 
In length this species is about 2 feet ; and 4 feet 6 inches in 
the stretch of the wings. (The true Kite is 2 feet by upwards of 5 
feet stretch ) The bill is black; the cere yellow, as well as the 
legs. Iris orange-red. The head and neck white; beneath also 
white. Upper parts black, glossed with green and purple. Wings 
reaching within 2 inches of the tip of the tail. Tail very long, and 
remarkably forked, of 12 feathers. Several of the tertial feathers 
white, or edged with that color; lining of the wings white. — The 
plumage of the male and female very similar. 
