38 
99, (Minvis MIGRANS) dy ust ck! oP 1 SE Reo ieee noes 
Brack Kire. 
I have mentioned above the approximate extermination of the 
English Kite; and I may now state that, should such unhappily be 
the ultimate result, it seems likely that its place would be supplied 
by another species, the Milvus migrans, which would seem to show 
some indication of an intention to come among us, at least in one 
instance, as will be seen on reference to my plate of the species, 
which was taken from a specimen killed at Newcastle-on-Tyne. 
Inhabits Central Europe, Siberia, Palestine, Africa, and Australia, 
in which latter country it is only an accidental visitor. 
Genus NAUCLERUS. 
The single species of this form is remarkably different from all 
the other Kites. Its more slender structure, lengthened wings, and 
long forked tail indicate that it possesses vast powers of flight, and 
that it would experience but little difficulty in making a transit from 
its native country to even very distant shores, when circumstances 
force it to leave its own. 
30. NAUCLERUS FURCATUS. 
Swallow-tailed Kite. 
This birdis so strictly American that I have not given a figure of it, 
notwithstanding it has been killed at least five times in our islands, 
the earliest of these occurrences having been at Ballachulish, in 
Argyleshire, in 1772—-since which others have taken place at Wens- 
leydale, at Farnham, in Cumberland, and on the Mersey. 
Subfamily CIRCIN A. 
The Harriers, comprising numerous species, are so widely dispersed 
over the face of the globe as to warrant the use of the term universal 
with reference to their distribution. In each of the five great divi- 
sions of the globe one or other of the seventeen known species are to 
be found. In Europe there are four, three of which inhabit and 
breed in Britain. In habits and economy they do not resemble the 
Falcons, the Buzzards, or the Kites, but assimilate somewhat to the 
Strigide, or Owls. Their actions, indeed, are peculiar to themselves ; 
and their great flapping wings render them conspicuous objects when 
flying over a marsh or the sunny side of a moor, with keenly search- 
ing eyes, in pursuit of their food, which varies with the nature of the 
locality. If in the fen, reptiles, from the-snake to the newt, are 
captured and eaten, as are frogs and insects ; at the breeding-season 
young Snipes, Moorhens, or other nestlings are fortunate if they 
escape their scrutinizing eyes. They mainly nest on the ground, 
and lay four or five white eggs. Their flight is somewhat laboured 
and flapping. 
