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Range (Southern United States north)

Southern United States north to Pennsylvania and casually to Massachusetts; south to South America; breeding locally throughout its range, and wintering in Central and South America.

Nest, in the upper branches of tall trees. Eggs, two to four, white or buffy white, boldly spotted or blotched, chiefly round the larger end, with hazelbrown, chestnut, or rich madder-brown, 1.87 x 1.49 (Ridgw.). The Swallow-tailed Kite winters in Central and South America, and appears in the United States in March. Its home is the air, and it is far more frequently seen on the wing than at rest. It captures its prey, devours it, and drinks while under way. Its flight possesses all the marvelous ease and grace of a Swallow's, made more evident, and consequently more impressive, by the bird's much greater size. 328. Elanus leucurus (Vieill.). WHITE-TAILED KITE. Ad.-Upper parts ashy gray, whiter on the head; wing-coverts black; tail and under parts white. L., 15.50; W., 12.50; T., 7.00; B. from N., 70.