352 On the Ornithology of Wilts (Fualconide]. 
Lavington. At Lydiard Millicent, the seat of Lord Bolingbroke, 
there was a tree, which very probably still exists, called the Kite 
tree, and here Kites bred from time immemorial, and here they 
were always to be seen in the spring a few years ago, and most old 
people can recollect something of the “forky tailed” Kite or Glead. 
It was very easy to be distinguished from all others of the Fal- 
conide, by its long and much-forked tail, and by its graceful 
gliding motion, whence its provincial name Glead ; and it delighted 
to soar in circles, and to sail on almost motionless wing. Though 
it would occasionally seize a chicken or a duckling (as the hen- 
wife knew to her cost) rats, mice, leverets and other small qua- 
drupeds, composed its principal prey, and when it did take a bird it 
was generally one of the gallinaceous order, for the mode of seizing 
its victim, by pouncing upon it on the ground, differed from that 
of most of the preceding species. But though so elegant and 
graceful, the Kite was not remarkable for courage; a hen has 
been often known to beat off the intruder from her chickens, and 
indeed it was selected as the quarry at which to fly large falcons in 
olden times, and from the sport it thus often afforded to royalty, 
are derived the continental names it still bears, “Milvus regalis,” 
“Milan royal.” Though small in bulk and light in weight, the 
Kite is, in reality, a large bird, exceeding two feet in length, and 
five from tip to tip of the extended wings. 
“Common Buzzard,” (Buteo Vulgaris.) Like the species last 
described, the Buzzard is not now the common bird it once was, and 
which its specific name implies. At one time it abounded in our 
woodland districts, but now it is rarely to be met with. Mr. Marsh 
speaks of one which was brought to him from Draycot Park, in 
1840. Mr. Stratton has occasionally seen the bird as it passed 
over or rested in his locality, but states that it does not remain 
there. Mr. Hayward had often observed it on Fiddington Common 
some years since, but now seldom sees it. Like all the other 
species of this genus, it has a slow flight, an indolent, lazy, heavy 
aspect, and a timid disposition. It preys upon small birds, quad- 
rupeds and reptiles, which it will strike upon the ground, but which 
it does not care to pursue, and often it will stand motionless for 
