KITE. 327 



bird-lovers awoke and efforts were made to protect the 

 survivors, but in 1905 it is believed only five birds remained, 

 and it is doubtful if any got off broods in safety. Carrion- 

 Crows by robbing the nests complicated the difficulties, but 

 careful watching saved the remnant, and though it is early to 

 boast there does seem a chance that the bird will increase once 

 more. On the authority of two good ornithologists we know 

 that a pair nested in Devonshire in 19 13, though unfortunately 

 the eggs were taken. 



The Glead or Gled, a name derived from its gliding flight, is 

 a magnificent bird on the wing, when it may be recognised by 

 its forked tail and reddish plumage. When hunting it flies 

 low, with steady deliberate wing-beats and easy glides, but 

 when it soars it has all the grace and swing of the Buzzard, and 

 will perform in strong wind and storm. It is not a noisy bird, 

 but has a weak, high-pitched Buzzard-like mew or wheeo. It 

 is not a valiant hunter and feeds on small mammals, birds, 

 reptiles and amphibians which it picks up from the ground ; its 

 habit of lifting the young of Grouse, Pheasants, and chickens 

 and duckhngs in the farm was, certainly, responsible for its 

 decrease. It picks up ofTal and eats carrion ; indeed it was 

 known at one time as a useful scavenger. Its present re- 

 stricted Welsh haunts are the slopes of wooded valleys, and 

 though it feeds at the edge of the moors, it is by no means a 

 moorland or, normally, a hill bird. 



In Wales, though not in all parts of its range, ^he Kite nests 

 in a tree. It usually, though not invariably, builds an entire 

 nest ; occasionally it modifies one of a Crow or other species. 

 The nest is a rubbish heap, for all kinds of litter, turf, grass 

 with its roots, wool, rags and paper are stuffed in amongst the 

 branches which make the main structure. The cup is flattish 

 and the lining mainly sheep's wool, but here again mis- 

 cellaneous articles are introduced, rags, paper, string, and 

 indeed anything it can pick up. Shakespeare knew the Kite 



