These comments have not been peer-reviewed, and do not represent the opinions of the U.S. Government. They are presented here as original work of the contributors.

economidy@worldnet.att.net (John M. Economidy) sent this comment:

Swallow-tailed Kites (STKs) are confirmed as resident in Texas. They exist in the southeast Texas counties of Newton (especially near a catfish farm outside of Bon Weir), Tyler, Jefferson (between Hampshire and Fannett near a crawfish farm off Taylor Slough), Orange, and Chambers (on the Trinity River north of IH-10). Nesting has been confirmed.

Smith's Point Hawk Watch in Chambers County (southeast of Houston) recorded 40 STKs in migration in fall 1997 season. Dates and STKS seen were Aug 17 (5 STKs), Aug 20 (1), Aug 21 (2), Aug 23 (5), Aug 24 (4), Aug 30 (2), Sept 2 (4), Sept 6 (5), Sept 7 (2), Sept 11 (2), Sept 12 (3), Sept 13 (2), Sept 20 (2), and Sept 28 (1).

Coastal Bend Hawk Watch at Hazel Bazemore County Park outside Corpus Christi had 7 STKs in migration in fall 1997: Aug 23 (1), Aug 24 (5), & Sept 4 (1).

JOHN M. ECONOMIDY Texas Regional Editor Hawk Migration Ass'n of North America economidy@worldnet.att.net