52 British Birds, 



many years ago to the " Zoologist," that he had seen one 

 sailing overhead as he walked the streets of London. 

 Perhaps any but rather resolute nest-hunters might 

 say, if they knew the reception sometimes accorded 

 by a Kite to a would-be plunderer of its nest, " Well, 

 the loss is not without its compensation." For the 

 Kite fights fiercely for its eggs or young : and has 

 been known to inflict damage of both dress and 

 person on a boy attempting to plunder its nest. It is a 

 noble-looking bird; but not distinguished, as the Falcons 

 are, for any very remarkable degree of boldness or 

 courage. A fussy old hen has been known to frighten 

 one from his purposed foray on her chickens, and he 

 used of old to be chased (for sport, of course) by a 

 species of Falcon " to the manner " trained. The 

 nest, usually found high up in a high tree in thick 

 wood or forest, is made of sticks, and lined with any 

 softer material found handy, and contains two or 

 three eggs of a dirty white colour, with a few spots 

 or blotchings of dull red. They cater liberally enough 

 for their young, no less than twenty-two Moles having 

 been found in one nest. — Fig. 1, plate IL 



BLACK KITE — {Milvus migrans ; otherwise, ater). 

 Accidental visitor. 



SWALLOW-TAILED -KYY^^{Nauclerus furcatus). 

 Very rare accidental visitor. 



COMMON BUZZARD— (52^/r^ vulgaris). 

 Puttock. — I well remember as a schoolboy in Essex 



