12 2 



British Birds. 



THE 



HONEY-KITE. 



{Pt^ntis apivorus.) 



placed in a tree. The egg^s are from three to fne in number, buffy white with 

 reddish brown or chestnut markings, sometimes distributed over the whole egg. 

 at other times collected near the larger end. 



This bird is generalh' called the Honey ' Buzzard.' but it has 

 no relations with the genus Buteo and is much more nearly 

 related to the Kites and Falcons. The plumage is of a peculiar 

 soft texture like that of the Kites, and the feathers of the face 

 are very close-set and dense, the plumage appearing like scales. The old Honey- 

 Kites mav be told bv their grey face, and b\' the 

 three dark bands on the tail, while the young 

 birds have the sides of the face brown, and as 

 many as six or seven, more or less broken bars 

 on the basal half of the tail. At one time the 

 Honey-Kite used to breed in the New Forest 

 and in other parts of England and Scotland, 

 but it IS now seldom observed breeding m any 

 part of Great Britain. It is found throughout 

 the greater part of Europe in summer, and 

 extends to Central Siberia, its winter home 

 being in Africa. The food of the Honey- 

 Kite consists almost entirely of insects, but 

 it also eats small birds and mice as well as 

 slugs and worms. The nest is generally con- 

 structed on the old nest of some other bird, 

 and the eggs, two or three in number, are 

 verv handsome, the white ground-colour being 

 usuall}- entirely hidden by the rich conglomera- 

 tion of chestnut markings. 

 All the Falcons are remarkable for having the bare tarsus 

 reticulated, both in front and behind, and for having a distinct 

 tooth in the bill. They have also a round nostril, with a little 

 tubercle or pedestal in the centre of it. The_\- have pointed 

 wings, indicative of powerful flight, anti very sharp curved claws or talons. The 

 Peregrine nests in many places throughout the United Kingdom, and is found 

 all over the northern parts of both hemispheres in localities suited to the birds 

 habits, and where it can obtain a plentiful supply of food. 



The female is a much larger and more powerful bird than the male, and has 

 alwavs been the prime favourite of Falconers for its dash and courageous bearing. 

 There is scarcely anv bird which it cannot capture in direct flight, and it feeds on 

 wild-fowl and all kinds of game, and in the vicinity of the sea-cliffs, which it 

 frequents, it kills numbers of Gulls and Puftins. It also strikes down Rooks, Crows, 



The Honey-Kite. 



THE PEREGRINE 

 FALCON. 



{Falco pcrLgriuns.) 



