RED KITE. 273 



in the ISIagazine of Zoology and Botany, states that " Mr R. 

 Langtry, when at Loch Awe, in Argyllshire, early in the sum- 

 mer of 1833, procured from the nest two young Kites, which 

 proved a highly interesting addition to his aviary. They at 

 once became very tame and familiar, and were so gentle in 

 disposition as to be most engaging. Every morning they had 

 their liberty, never flew far, but soared to a great height in the 

 air, and, in still repeated circles, displayed their graceful and 

 peculiar flight. To either lure or fist they always returned 

 when called. Mice were j^referred by them to birds or any 

 other food. ^Vhen these Kites were on wing, rats let off from 

 the cage-trap were expertly caught by them." 



In the south-eastern counties of Scotland this bird is so sel- 

 dom seen that when it happens to present itself it excites a 

 great degree of curiosity. " In the neighbourhood of Bath- 

 gate," ]SIr Weir writes to me, " the Fork-tailed Kite very 

 seldom appears, as during the long period of twelve years I have 

 seen one male only. For three successive seasons he frequented 

 this parish, and was in the almost daily habit of visiting the 

 same localities, making his appearance at his different haunts 

 about the same hour each day. Amongst partridges and other 

 birds he committed very great havoc. His flight was easy and 

 graceful, consisting of curves and extensive circles, which were 

 performed by the almost imperceptible motion of his wings, 

 and guided by his forked and elongated tail. Ke occasionally 

 soared to a great height. When with outstretched wings he 

 performed some of his majestic aerial evolutions, he has 

 again and again delighted and astonished the inhabitants, 

 who believed that he was one of Jove's noble birds that 

 had come from the cold regions of the north to visit this 

 our more genial clime. In the pursuit of this very shy bird I 

 have spent many a weary hour in wandering over mountain 

 and dale ; indeed, I had almost given up the hope of ever get- 

 ting within reach of him, until one morning when shooting I 

 observed him at a distance intent upon securing a partridge 

 for his repast. lie fortunately pounced upon it near an old 

 and very long wall on the lauds of Coston, in the parish of 

 Bathgate. "With almost breathless anxiety and high palpita- 



VOL, III. T 



