_Ictinia mississippiensis_
A slaty-blue bird with black tail and wings and
red eyes. L. 14.
_Range._ Southern United States, north to South
Carolina, and southern Indiana; winters chiefly
south of the United States and returns in April.
A low-flying hunter of insects, snakes and frogs. It migrates in loose
flocks sometimes near the earth, at others far above it. The nest is
placed in tall trees. The eggs are laid in May; they number 1-3, and are
dull white, occasionally with a bluish tinge.