296 



NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS. 



dozen species of the single genus Jfilrus, of which the common or red kite, Mih'us 

 ictinus, is the type. This is a bird of coin]iarativciy small Ijody, hut witii wide- 

 spreading wings, and long, deeply-forked tail; the female, which is largest, measuring 

 about twenty-seven inches in length, and having an e.\|ianse of wings of over five 

 feet. The general color is reddish brown streaked with black, the tail being rather 

 lighter red, barred with deej) brown. These tail feathers are in considerable demand 

 for use in the manufacture of salmon flies. 



Kio. 138. — Milnu migrann, binok kito, nnd Af. ictinui, common kite. 



This species was formerly one of the nmsl familiar of Hriiish birds of ]>rey, hav- 

 ing, it is said, been abundant as a scavenger in the streets of London three or four 

 hundred years ago; but, according to Professor Newton, it is now one of the rarest, 

 being restricted to a few wooded districts, where a small remnant still exists. The 

 same authority says Wollcy h.as well remarked of the modern Londoners that "few 

 who see the jiajier toys hovering over the parks in fine days of summer have anv idea 

 that the bird from which they derive their name used to float all day in hot weather 

 hicrh over the heads of their ancestors." 



