BLACK VULTURE
326. Catharista urubu. 24 in.
Entire plumage, including the naked head, black; feet and tip of bill yellowish. Under surface of the wings white, making it very easy to identify.
Nest.—Two eggs, greenish-white, blotched with brownish. (3.00 × 2.00).
Range.—Resident north to North Carolina, southern Illinois and Kansas.
FALCONS, HAWKS AND EAGLES—Family Falconidæ
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE
327. Elanoides forficatus. 24 in.
Tail long and deeply forked; plumage white, and glossy black; feet short but stout; bill black, with cere and feet bluish-gray. The flight of these birds is very swift and swallow-like; at times they circle about for long periods, on motionless wings; at others, they will be seen swooping over marshes and low ground; the evolutions they perform during the mating season are wonderful to behold, floating, sailing, doubling and turning, in all imaginable positions, as though they were a part of the air itself.
Notes.—A shrill whistled “peet-peet.”
Nest.—Composed of twigs, lined with moss and rootlets; usually located in the tops of trees at great heights; 90 to 125 feet from the ground not being uncommon; eggs pale bluish-white, very handsomely marked with brown (1.85 × 1.5).
Range.—Breeds north to Virginia, Manitoba and Minnesota; winters south of the United States.
