THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 61 



They are extremely active and graceful in their flight, and when 

 circling and turning in the sun appear very handsome. I am 

 indebted to Mr. Jas. F. Field for a beautiful pair of their eggs, 

 the ground colour of which is greenish white, with a few small 

 chocolate spots. As this bird is so slight in its structure, and 

 only about 8 ozs. in weight, I was somewhat surprised to hear 

 recently that it can decapitate a wild duck at one blow, and has 

 even been known to kill a Bustard (Choriotis Australis). 



Allied Kite (Milvus affinis). — These kites are certainly more 

 indifferent to the presence of man than any hawks I have met 

 with. Their well-known dark brown forms were always met with 

 near stations and stockyards, where they feast on any scraps of 

 meat after cattle are killed. At Henbury, whilst seated on a log 

 busy skinning specimens, several kites kept darting down and 

 carrying off scraps of.flesh I cast away. Although shooting was 

 taking place close by, they did not appear in the least alarmed. 

 At last my own gun was brought back, placed beside me, and in 

 a few minutes the finest bird was shot from where I sat. As an 

 instance of the boldness of the Allied Kite I may mention that a 

 little child was sitting on the doorstep of a friend (Mrs. Clarke, 

 Maryvale, Burdekin, Queensland), when a kite swooped down to 

 seize a bone the child was enjoying, and in its effort to secure the 

 spoil left marks on the child's face which she will carry to her 

 grave. 



Square-tailed Kite ( Lophoictinia isura). — These birds appear 

 to be more migratory than the preceding species. Although I 

 thought I saw them several times, I was unsuccessful in securing 

 specimens. Mr. Cowle, however, has set the matter at rest by 

 sending me one egg of this species, which proved to be addled, 

 and was taken from a nest containing a fully-fledged young one. 

 The latter was killed, its wing sent down for identification, and 

 the remainder formed an epicurean treat for the blackfellow who 

 secured it. 



Letter-winged Kite (Elanus scriptus). — These beautiful 

 birds were seen on several occasions searching for lizards or other 

 acceptable food amongst the saltbush and porcupine grass. They 

 generally seemed to hunt in pairs, and when the pangs of hunger 

 were allayed they rested themselves on the highest perch they 

 could find. The peculiar black V-shaped mark under their wings 

 at once arrested attention. I am also indebted to Mr. Cowle for 

 a clutch of their eggs. 



Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris). — These kites 

 were also noticed, but beyond the difference in plumage nothing 

 worthy of note was observed, their habits being similar to the 

 foregoing. 



Grey Falcon (Falco hypoleucus). — Several attempts were 

 made to secure these birds, but without success. They were 

 always seen near the ranges, flying slowly along in search of prey 



