KITES. 625 



The Black Kite {Mihus niger) is very common in Russia, and 

 has a particular penchant for fish. It is not, however, above assist- 

 ing Vultures in devouring carrion, and may be seen hovering 

 over the city of Moscow to pick up the fragments which are 

 thrown into the streets. In autumn these Kites assemble in flocks, 

 and, crossing the Black Sea, proceed to winter in Egypt, where 

 they are so tame that they perch on the windows of the houses. 

 In the spring they return to Europe. 



The Parasite Kite {Mihiis cefiyptius) is thus named by Levail- 

 lant because his whole system of life seems to be at the expense of 

 man, either by devastating his poultry-yards or robbing with ex- 

 traordinary impudence travellers encamping in the open air. This 

 celebrated naturalist relates that whenever he made a halt, some 

 of these birds came and perched on his waggons for the purpose 

 of stealing. 



" At Cairo," says Dr. Petit, in the account of his travels in 

 Abyssinia, " I one day saw a Kite snatch suddenly from the hands 

 of an Arab woman a piece of bread and cheese, at the very moment 

 she was raising it to her mouth. At Chize, in Abyssinia, another 

 Kite carried away, from under the very nose of my dog, which 

 was guarding it, a portion of a sheep just killed. The same thing 

 took place several times in view of my servants." 



The same authority adds that these birds sometimes assemble in 

 innumerable flocks ; for he has seen thousands hovering over an 

 Egyptian village. 



The American Kite {Idinia mississipietisis) is remarkable for 

 its deeply-forked tail, which it uses as a rudder to guide it in fly- 

 ing, when it describes the most elegant curves ; hence the name 

 Forked-tail Pilot, which is sometimes given it. Essentially 

 migratory, they may be seen in spring and autumn proceeding 

 North or South. They are protected by law ; for, aided by the 

 Buzzards, they are of great service in clearing away garbage. 

 They have no fear of water, and pounce upon fish when oppor- 

 tunity ofiers. In the harbours of the Southern States they 

 may frequently be seen perched on carcasses floating in the 

 tide-way. 



The bill and claws of the Kite are weak in comparison with its 

 size ; it therefore wisely avoids coming in collision -^'ith birds of 



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