east,
nesting anywhere in cavities in trees, either in woods or open fields.
The eggs are generally deposited upon the bottom of the cavity with no
lining; they are creamy or yellowish buff in color, sprinkled, spotted
or blotched in endless variety, with reddish brown. Size 1.35 x 1.10.
These birds are very noisy, especially when the young are learning to
fly, uttering a loud, tinkling, "killy, killy, killy." They have a very
amiable disposition, and frequently nest harmoniously in the same tree
with other birds, such as Flickers and Robins.

360b. ST. LUCAS SPARROW HAWK. _Falco sparverius peninsularis._

Range.--Lower California.

This variety is smaller than the eastern, and even paler than the
western form. Eggs identical with eastern specimens.

361. CUBAN SPARROW HAWK. _Falco sparveroides._

A darker colored West Indian form, whose habits and nesting do not vary
from those of the common Sparrow Hawk; casually taken in Florida.

[Illustration 224: Buffy.]
[Illustration: Sparrow Hawk.]
[Illustration: Egg of Golden Eagle.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

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[Illustration 225: SPARROW HAWK.]

Page 224

362. Audubon Caracara. _Polyborus cheriway._

Range.--Southern border of the United States south to South America.

A strikingly marked blackish and whitish species, much barred on the
fore back and the breast, with the head and throat largely white, except
for a black and somewhat crested crown. They are numerous in southern
Texas and also in the interior of southern Florida, where they are
resident. They build bulky, but shabby nests of sticks, weeds and grass,
piled into a promiscuous heap, generally located in bushes or low trees.
Their two or three eggs have a ground color varying from buff to bright
cinnamon, and are dotted and blotched with all shades of brown and
umber. On the whole, these eggs show a greater diversity of markings and
ground color than those of any other species. Size 2.50 x 1.80.

363. GUADALUPE CARACARA. _Polyborus lutosus._

Range.--Guadalupe Island and others off Lower California.

This species is somewhat like the preceding, but the plumage is duller,
and the coloration more uniform. Their nesting habits and eggs do not
vary essentially from those of Audubon Caracara. Mr. John Lewis Childs
has a set of two eggs taken June 8, 1896, on Santa Anita Island, by
Coolidge and Miller. The nest was made of sticks and situated in a giant
cactus. The eggs are sligh