BRITISH BIRDS. 



99 



fliofhts are brownish ^rey black, spotted with a darker 

 shade of the same ; the legs and feet are yellow. Male 

 length about 14 inches ; female about 15. 



Kite. — This species is distinguished from the rest of the 

 hawks by its forked tail. Its upper surface is generally 

 reddish brown, lighter on the neck, and almost grey on the 

 head ; the under parts are light reddish grey, deepening 

 backwards; the flights are brownish black; cere, eyes, Jegs, 

 and feet yellow ; 

 bill bluish grey. 

 The female is 

 much larger than 

 the male, and her 

 plumage is rather 

 orange and grey 

 than brown and 

 white. The 

 length of the male 

 is 2 feet 2 inches, 

 and that of the 

 female 2 feet 4 

 inches. For their 

 size these birds 

 are light, the 

 weight of the 

 male beino- about 

 2i pounds, and 

 that of the female 

 2^ 



-'4- 



The food of the 

 larger species of 

 the hawk family consists of birds and mammals, namely, 

 hares, rabbits, and even small lambs, as well as partridge, 

 ptarmigan, and grouse. Some of them eat " carrion," but 



The Hohhij. 



