KITE. 121 



the higher classes, than that of hunting is at present. 

 A person of rank, it is said, seldom went abroad without 

 a hawk on his hand ; and in old paintings, this is con- 

 sidered in almost all cases, as a criterion of nobility. 

 The kind of falcons or hawks that were in use in these 

 kingdoms, are still found to breed in Wales, and in the 

 mountainous parts of Scotland. Of these the Gyrfalcon 

 and the Gentil were reckoned amongst the most valuable, 

 as being noble, bold, and spirited birds. Each of the spe- 

 cies builds its nest upon the ledges of rocks. The 

 former are now chiefly bred in Iceland, and are trans- 

 ported from thence into France, Italy, and even into 

 Persia and Turkey. It is stated, that they will attack, 

 with dauntless courage, even the largest of the feathered 

 race. The stork, the beron, and the crane, are easy 

 victims. In this pursuit, the Falcon endeavours to rise 

 above its adversaries, and destroys them by darting down 

 with all its force, upon their backs. 



The Gyrfalcon is not much inferior in size to the 

 osprey. The bill is hooked, and yellow. The plumage 

 is white, with dusky bars, lines, and spots. The cere and 

 legs are of a pale blue colour. 



The Gentil Falcon is considerably smaller than the last 

 species. The beak is lead-coloured ; and the cere and 

 legs are yellow. The body is ash-coloured above, with 

 brown spots. The under parts are white, with dusky, 

 heart-shaped spots. The tail has four or five broad, 

 blackish bands, and is dotted with white. The claws are 

 black. 



Kite, or Glead. The motion of this bird in the air, 

 not only distinguishes it from every other species of 

 hawk, but has been the origin of its name. This 



G 



