Birds of Britain 



The adult is brown on the back and chestnut below, with 

 darker stripes. Tail rufous and much forked. Head and 

 neck whitish, with darker stripes. Length 25 in. ; wing 

 20 in. 



THE BLACK KITE 



Milvus migrans (Boddaert) 



This species, although a regular summer visitor to the 

 valley of the Ehine and Moselle, has only once found its 

 way to our shores. Its home is throughout Central and 

 Southern Europe, migrating southwards from the more 

 northerly portions of its range in winter. 



The head and throat are whitish, streaked with dark 

 brown ; rest of the plumage brown, more rufous on the 

 breast. The female is rather darker on the head. Length 

 24 in. ; wing 18 in. 



THE HONEY BUZZARD 



Pernis apivorus (Linnseus) 



This migratory species, which is widely distributed 

 throughout most of the wooded districts of Europe, visits 

 us annually on both its spring and autumn migrations, and 

 a few pairs generally attempt to nest in suitable localities. 

 The greed of the egg-collector has sadly diminished the 

 number of these summer residents, though with adequate 

 protection moderate numbers might again be induced to 

 spend the summer months in these islands. 



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