132. Æsalon columbarius Kaup. Pigeon Hawk.—Common in fall and winter, as soon as the large flocks of Blackbirds and different Finches appear from the north, among which it makes great havoc. None remain to breed. They disappear quite early, usually in the first days of March.
133. Tinnunculus sparverius Vieill. Sparrow Hawk.—Common in fall and winter, but never observed during the breeding season. This bird also does great harm among our small birds.
134. Polyborus cheriway Cab. Caracara Eagle; Mexican Eagle; “Mexican Buzzard.”—Regularly distributed, but in this part of Texas is not so common as farther in the interior. It is a very showy bird, and the flight is extremely elegant and quick. Although it is very shy and not easily to be approached, it often builds its nest in trees not far from farm houses. The farmers say they are as harmless as Turkey Buzzards. The nest is usually from twenty-five to thirty feet above the ground and is built of sticks, sometimes lined with bits of cotton and Spanish moss; the cavity is shallow. Often the birds, commonly single individuals, are to be observed with Vultures feeding together on carrion.
135. Elanoïdes forficatus Ridgw. Swallow-tailed Kite; Fork-tailed Kite.—Abundant summer sojourner from the first part of March to October. A beautiful bird, and one of the most characteristic species of this locality. Especially abundant in the bottom woods near prairies or fields. Nest very high in slender trees in the river and creek bottoms; it is built of sticks and Spanish moss. I never had an opportunity to collect eggs of this bird as the nests, in almost every case, were out of reach. In August and September the birds are often seen in cotton fields, where they feed on cotton worms and other insects. They are particularly fond of small snakes, such as Leptophis, Rhinostoma coccinea, lizards (Anolius carolinensis and Ameiva sex-lineata). I never have seen them take a bird or a small quadruped.
136. Elanus glaucus Coues. White-tailed Kite.—This rare and beautiful bird I have seen several times sailing over cotton fields. Its flight is easy and graceful, but not rapid; sometimes it stops a few moments and then descends with great velocity to the ground to capture a lizard or a snake. It is not shy, and is easily recognized by its white tail.
137. Ictinia subcærulea Coues. Mississippi Kite.—Not a common summer resident, and very shy and retiring in its habits. It is generally found in the same localities with Elanoïdes forficatus. Its sailings are extremely 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 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 never found a nest.
139. Accipiter cooperi Bonap. Cooper’s Hawk.—This very common and impudent robber is the most destructive of the Raptores to 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 farmer’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 in 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.