CHAPTER X 



IN THE NEST HAUNT OF THE KITE {miLVUS 

 REGAL/S), 1903 



Once common, even to the wonderment of foreigners, 

 in the British Isles, the Red Kite is now reduced to a 

 miserable remnant of some four pairs and an odd 

 bird, which endeavour, but with ill success, to breed 

 in a few chosen haunts in the Principality. I hear 

 of a few pairs besides in Scotland, but until better 

 evidence is forthcoming I must decline to believe this 

 statement. 



It may be of some interest, then, to relate my 

 experiences with the Kite during the present year 



(1903)- 



At last measures have been taken (alas ! all too 

 late, I fear) to protect as far as possible this truly 

 magnificent bird of prey, and the members of the 

 British Ornithological Society having subscribed 

 liberally (all honour to them for it), matters were 

 placed in the excellent hands of Dr. Salter, a first- 

 class ornithologist ; but as duties at Aberystwith 

 kept him tied during the spring and summer, he 

 placed the whole business in my keeping. The public 



