142. Buteo swainsoni Bonap. Swainson’s Hawk.—Not uncommon during the breeding season; often seen on the prairies near woods. Many are killed, as they commit great havoc among the poultry. The nest is built in the tallest trees, in an almost inaccessible position.
143. Haliaëtus leucocephalus Savig. Bald Eagle; White-headed Eagle.—This is not a common bird, but is known to breed in certain parts of this region. They build their nests in the tallest trees of the river bottoms. Two young, taken out of a nest in the spring of 1880, became very tame pets.
144. Cathartes aura Illig. Turkey Buzzard.—Very abundant, and resident throughout the year. Nests on the ground.
145. Catharista atrata Less. Black Vulture; Carrion Crow.—Common but not abundant; about one-twentieth as common as the Turkey Buzzard. Breeds on the ground in the grassy prairies.
146. Ectopistes migratoria Sw. Passenger Pigeon.—Occasionally common during the migrations. In September and October, 1881, I saw immense numbers in the post oak woods, where they were feeding on acorns.
147. Zenaidura carolinensis Bonap. Mourning Dove.—Very abundant, and resident throughout the year. In very cold winters many migrate farther south. They raise, at least in this part of the country, three broods yearly. On the prairies the nest is not unfrequently placed upon the ground.
148. Chamæpelia passerina Sw. Ground Dove.—A rare summer sojourner. Have never seen more than two together.
149. Meleagris gallopavo (americana Coues?). Wild Turkey.—I can not state with certainty whether the Wild Turkey under consideration is the Meleagris gallopavo americana or M. gallopavo, but I think it is the first-named variety. I have found the bird abundant in all the heavily wooded districts, especially common in the thick woods with much underbrush near Spring Creek. Eggs are often put under a tame hen, but the young are not easily domesticated; as soon as they are grown they become very wild, and many go off again to their favorite woods. Early in May I have seen the mother bird with about a dozen young ones, but they were so extremely wild that they suddenly disappeared among the almost impenetrable thickets of blackberries (Rubus villosus) and Smilax (Smilax laurifolia and S. lanceolata). When the pecans are ripe, they assemble in flocks of from ten to twenty and even thirty, and feed particularly on these nuts. Later in the season they feed on several kinds of acorns, and in winter when food becomes scarce, they eat the berries of the myrtle-holly (Oreophila myrtifolia) and other berries.
150. Cupidonia cupido Bd. Prairie Hen.—Common resident on all the flat grassy prairies. Is becoming scarcer every year.
151. Ortyx virginiana Bonap. American Quail; “Bob white.”—Very abundant resident. Two broods are raised yearly. They are exceedingly tame and confiding, breeding sometimes in close proximity to the habitations of men. In winter from fifty to one hundred are usually seen in cotton and sugar-cane fields.