d sharply
pointed talons.

327. SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. _Elanoides forficatus._

Range.--Southern United States; casually north to New York and Manitoba.

This most beautiful Kite can never be mistaken for any other; its whole
head, neck and underparts are snowy white, while the back, wings and
tail are glossy blue black, the wings being very long and the tail long
and deeply forked. The extreme length of the bird is 24 inches. As a
rule nests of this bird are placed high up in the tallest trees; they
are made of sticks, weeds and moss. Two eggs, or rarely three,
constitute a full set. They are white or bluish white, spotted with
brown. The one figured is an unusually handsome marked specimen in the
collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall. Average size of eggs, 1.80 x 1.50.
Data.--Yegna Creek bottoms, Texas, April 27, 1891. Two eggs. Nest of
sticks and green moss, the same moss also being used for lining; in an
elm tree 80 feet up.

328. White-tailed Kite. _Elanus leucurus._

Range.--Southern United States, north to the Carolinas, Illinois and
middle California.

This species can be recognized by its light bluish gray mantle, black
shoulders and white tail. It is a very active species, feeding upon
insects and reptiles, and small birds and mammals. The nests of these
species are placed in trees at quite an elevation from the ground, being
made of sticks, weeds and leaves. The eggs are creamy white, profusely
blotched and spotted with reddish brown and umber. Size 1.65 x 1.25.
Data.--Los Angeles, Cal., April 9, 1896. Nest in fork of willows about
25 feet up. Made of willow twigs and weed stalks, lined with pieces of
bark.

[Illustration 203: Swallow-tailed Kite.]
[Illustration: White.]
[Illustration: Creamy white.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 202

329. MISSISSIPPI KITE. _Ictinia mississippiensis._

Range.--Southeastern United States, north to South Carolina and
Illinois.

A small species (length 14 inches) with the head, neck, and underparts
gray, and the back, wings and tail blackish, the tips of the secondaries
being grayish. They live almost exclusively upon insects, such as
grasshoppers, and small reptiles. They build their nests of sticks and
weeds well up in tall trees. The eggs are two or three in number and
normally bluish white, unmarked, but occasionally with very faint spots
of pale brown. Size 1.65 x 1.25. Data.--Giddings, Texas, May 31, 1887.
Nest of sticks and weeds, with green pecan