SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. 61 
greenish blue. The claws, which are much curved, the outer 
one being very small, are dull orange, or flesh- eblene: 
There is little if any difference in dilear between the male 
and female. The young are at first covered with yellowish 
down; afterwards they assume the distinct divisions of colour 
of their parents, but do not acquire the metallic lustre until 
arrived at maturity. The outside feathers of the tail do not 
reach their full length until autumn, so that it is gradually 
becoming more and more forked until then. In the followi ing 
spring the whole plumage is complete. 
