— 56 — 



Length about 25 inches. Similar to the black kite in 

 plumage, but the general tone is rather more red. Bill in adults 

 waxy yellow. Young birds are more umber brown and are 

 mottled with white and have black bills, as also do adults 

 when in poor condition. An adult with a black bill is usually 

 swarming with feather Hce. The yellow bill is assumed by birds 

 in their first year, provided they are in good health. 



252. Red Kite. Milvus milvus (Linnaeus). 



Milvus regalis. Shelley, p. 195. 



A rare straggler to Egypt. 



Length 25 inches. General plumage more red than that of 

 the Egyptian kite. Head and neck white striped uath black ; 

 tail deeply forked. A distinct white and a black patch on 

 under side of wing. This is most noticeable when the bird is 

 in flight. 



253. Black-shouldered Kite. Elanus cceruleus (Desfontein). 



Elanus cceruleus. Shelley, p. 198. 



Generally distributed and resident throughout the culti- 

 vated parts of Egypt, but owing to its crepuscular habits it is 

 not very noticeable. 



Length about 13 inches. Upper parts clear pale grey ; 

 under parts white ; shoulders hlach ; legs yellow ; irides bright 

 carmine. The young are duller and browner, and the under 

 parts are streaked with brown. In flight this species differs 

 from the true kites. It hovers over its prey like a kestrel and 

 its movements are more like those of a harrier. 



254. Honey Buzzard. Pernis apivorus (Linnaeus), 



Pernis a/pivorus. Shelley, p. 199. 



A visitor, in small numbers, during the spring and autumn 

 migrations. 



Length about 23 inches. Head ashy grey ; upper parts 

 dark blackish brown ; tail banded with three or four bars ; 

 under parts white, spotted on the breast and barred on the 

 chest, flanks, and abdomen with brown. The feathers of the 

 lores and round the eyes are thickly set and almost scale-like, 

 acting as armour against the stings of wasps, on the larvae of 

 which this species feeds. Females and young are browner 

 and lack^the^^grey head. 



