30 THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMrTONSHIRE 



some of the large impreserved woodlands in our 

 vicinity ; be that as it may, the greater number of 

 those that we kill at that season are not birds of the 

 year, and as winter approaches make themselves 

 scarce. This Hawk in captivity is very subject to 

 cramp, and will not bear much exposure to the 

 weather. The females will kill and devour the males 

 if left together, and they have the unpleasant pecu- 

 liarity of being one day perfectly tame and sitting 

 quietly on the fist, and the next, perhaps, struggling 

 and dashing themselves nearly to death on the 

 approach of their master, who has carried them for 

 hours, and from whose hand they have constantly 

 been fed. 



9. KITE. 

 Milvus vulgaris. 



Of this fine bird and its habits in this county, or 

 indeed I may say in this country, I am sorry to say 

 that, from personal observation, I have next to 

 nothing to relate, for the obvious reason that the 

 species has been all but extinct in our district for 

 nearly fifty years, and is now a rare bird in all 

 parts of Great Britain. My own acquaintance with 

 the Kite in Northamptonshire is soon told. I can 

 just remember, during a very severe frost with snow 

 upon the ground, being taken out in front of the 

 house to look at three Kites sailing at no great 

 height over the lawn ; this must have been in the 

 winter of 1837-38. On another occasion I saw a 

 Kite close to Milton, Peterborough, perhaps some 

 four or five years later than the above instance ; and 



