122 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



Observations. — Specimens in my collection from Tunis vary somewhat in 

 their colouring and marking. 



The Black Kite is abundant in Tunisia, particularly during the 

 spring migration, when it may constantly be seen in large flocks on 

 passage. Many individuals remain and breed in the Eegency, but, 

 so far as I know, they all leave again in the autumn and do not pass 

 the winter in the country. 



In Algeria and Marocco the species is also common. When 

 travelling in Tunisia in spring-time I used constantly to meet with 

 these Kites, and often saw a pair or two following my caravan for 

 some distance. These birds may also frequently be seen circling over 

 the Arab douars, attracted no doubt by the scraps of food and offal 

 to be found in the vicinity of the tents ; so fearless and daring are 

 they at times that they will swoop down into the middle of an 

 encampment and carry off a piece of meat, or other " bonne-bouche," 

 before one's eyes. 



The flight of this Kite is bold and at the same time graceful, and 

 a flock of these birds circling over one's head and going through 

 their aerial evolutions is a fine sight. During a considerable portion 

 of the year, the species, although not strictly gregarious, is to be 

 found consorting in numbers, and may even be met with in 

 company of other birds of prey, such as Buzzards. Although by 

 choice a feeder on carrion, the Black Kite preys to a considerable 

 extent on the small mammals so abundant on the semi-desert plains, 

 and will also feed on reptiles, locusts and grasshoppers. It is also 

 said to be fond of fish. Its note is a shrill cry or whistle. 



The species seems to bear captivity well, and when brought up 

 from the nest will become very tame. I have one of these Kites 

 which was captured at sea off the coast of Sicily, as it alighted on the 

 deck of a vessel, together with two others of its kind. Although not 

 as a rule common or of general distribution in Italy, the species 

 occasionally visits certain parts of the Peninsula in considerable 

 numbers. 



The Black Kite breeds either in isolated pairs or in colonies, and 

 according to circumstances, places its nest either in a hole in a cliff, 

 or on a tree. In the South of Tunisia, where trees are few and far 

 between, the nest is generally to be found in cliffs and hill-sides, often 

 at no great altitude. In North and Central Tunisia the ohve-tree is 



