078 MILVUS REGALIS. 



years' residence in Devonshire lie never observed but 

 one in the southern districts of tliat county. In the 

 eastern and midland parts of England, however, it is 

 not very uncommon, as appears from the testimony of 

 various writers. 



This beautiful and interesting bird is remarkable 

 among our predatory species for its peculiar flight. 

 The body being very light in proportion to the expanse 

 of wings and tail, a buoyant, gliding, and rather unsteady 

 flight is produced, which in some measure resembles that 

 of the larger gulls, and especially the Lestris parasiticus. 

 Birds of this character do not proceed by means of 

 quick beatings of their wings, although their progress 

 may occasionally be extremely rapid; and the kite, in- 

 stead of flying like the peregrine or the wood pigeon, 

 both heavy birds, but furnished with powerful wings 

 and tail, moves along in beautiful curves and circlings, 

 \vitli scarcely perceptible motions of its wings, but ba- 

 lancing itself by means of its very long and expansile 

 tail. It sometimes, like the Eagles and Buzzards, as- 

 ceirds to a vast height, and continues for a long time to 

 sail in circles, apparently for the mere purpose of amu- 

 sing itself, or of gently exercising its muscles, for the 

 <-ffort of ascending to this elevation cannot be in any 

 degree comparable to that used even by a Highlander 

 in ascending a hill, and the upper fields of air once 

 gained, the kite can float at ease and in security. But 

 when searching for prey, it flies at tlie height of from 

 thirty to a hundred feet, wending its curving way in 

 gentle sweeps, constantly moving its partially expand- 

 ed tail to either side, and slightly drawing in and ex- 

 tending its long wings. To quote the words of Buf- 



