268 BIRD LIFE IN WILD WALES 



meant nesting in this wood, though I had seen 

 nothing which looked Hke the real article. 



April 22nd. — Visited the Kite's nest which I first 

 found on April 3rd. Neither of the birds were on 

 view, but more lining had been added — chiefly scirpus 

 grass and wool with one small Scotch fir branch, 

 foliage and all — but a stick was right across the nest, 

 which looked far from healthy, and I was then con- 

 vinced that the Kites did not intend to use it for 

 breeding purposes. However, more down was on 

 the sticks and fresh droppings under the tree. On the 

 way home I saw my keeper friend of the i8th instant. 

 He reported the pair of Kites as still being about the 

 wood, but as yet had found no nest. 



On April 30th I was again in Kiteland, and 

 visiting the original nest, found no further alterations, 

 so came to the conclusion that this must be either 

 the attempt of a pair of barren birds or else the 

 " play nest " of a pair which might be breeding else- 

 where. 



I now went to a wooded gully adjoining this wood, 

 in hopes of finding something there, but beyond some 

 Pied Flycatchers I had no reward, so proceeded to a 

 wood which I had not been through since April 3rd, 

 never dreaming that there could possibly be another 

 pair of Kites in this same locality, for the two spots 

 are but a long half-mile apart ; and herein I was at 

 fault, for getting in sight of this wood, I enjoyed a 

 sight as rare as it was beautiful — four Kites soaring 

 and circling in the air together. No words of mine 

 can do the scene justice ; but I stood there rooted to 

 the spot for fully five minutes, watching their aerial 



