KITE. 67 



The Kite is readily distinguislied among the British 

 Falconida, even when at a distance on the wing, by its long 

 and forked tail. The flight of this large bird is singularly 

 gi-aceful and easy, gliding smoothly along with little muscular 

 exertion. It still retains in some districts the name of Gled, 

 or Glead, — derived, according to Pennant, from the Saxon 

 glida. Occasionally it sails in circles, with its rudder-like 

 tail by its inclination governing the curve ; then stops, and 

 remains stationary for a time, the tail expanded widely, and 

 with its long wings sustaining its light body, apparently from 

 the extent of surface the bird is able to cover. In its mode 

 of taking its prey the Kite is distinguished from Falcons and 

 Hawks generally, by pouncing upon it upon the ground. 

 The nature of the food also makes this habit evident ; twen- 

 ty-two moles were found in the nest of a Kite, besides frogs 

 and unfledged birds : it preys also on leverets, rabbits, snakes, 

 and particularly on the young of various Gallinaceous birds be- 

 fore they have acquired the power of using their Avings. The 

 Kite, like the Sparrow-Hawk, frequently visits the poultry- 

 yard, but is not remarkable for its courage : Hens have been 

 known by their vociferations and their show of resistance to 

 protect their Chickens from the threatened attack, and even 

 to drive away the unwelcome intruder. 



A writer in the Magazine of Natural History relates that 

 he had almost daily opportunities of witnessing the powers of 

 the Kite in taking fish from a broad river near which he 

 resided ; and though distance prevented him from distinguish- 

 ing the particular sort, the birds were eminently successful, 

 occasionally alighting on the banks to eat their captures, at 

 other times bearing them off to the woods. 



In Hertfordshire and Essex the Kite is called the Puttock, 

 and the Crotchet-tailed Puddock. Merrett, in his Pinax, 

 and Shakspeare, in the Second Part of Henry the Sixth, 

 identify the term Puttock with the Kite : 



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