2.2 RAPTORIAL BIRDS 
species is considered sacred to the Hindoo deity 
Vishnu, from whence it has received the Anglo-Indian 
appellation of the Brahming Kite. 
Dr. Jerdon, in his work on the “ Birds of India,” 
says, that “ near cities it is very tame and fearless. I 
have often seen one catching fish thrown up to it by 
some pious Hindoo.” 
The genus JZ/vus, which next follows, comprises © 
the Kites, properly so-called, of which there are seven 
species widely spread over the temperate and tropical 
countries of the Old World. The best known, and 
perhaps the handsomest of the Kites is the species 
which was formerly abundant in Great Britain, though 
it has now become nearly extinct, having been des- 
troyed almost everywhere either by game-keepers, or 
by ornithological collectors. This Kite has been 
called the Royal Kite (A¢@ilvus regatis), because in 
former times it was a favourite amusement of the 
Kings of France to fly their falcons at the kite in 
the same manner in which they hawked the heron. 
The late Col. Montagu, whose work on “ English 
Birds” was published in 1802, when the Kite was still 
common in many parts of England, thus describes its 
habits. 
‘* This bird, from its great length of wings and tail, is capable 
of supporting itself in the air with very little motion, and for a 
great continuance, but is slow in flight ; its depredations, there- 
fore, are confined to such animals as are found on the ground, 
young rabbits, hares, and game ofall kinds, poultry and young 
