BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 145 



Wing-quills dusky black, some of the inner ones 

 being edged with white on the interior webs. Upper 

 tail-coverts rusty red ; quills rusty brown, barred on 

 the inner webs with dusky brown. The tail is much 

 forked, Under-parts rusty brown, whitish on the 

 chin, throat, and under tail-coverts, and streaked 

 with dusky brown, except on the last-named part. 

 Legs and toes yellow ; claws black. 



The female is somewhat larger, and is said to be 

 greyer about the head and redder beneath the body. 

 However, some ornithologists say that she is less 

 red than the male. 



Situation and Locality. In the forked branch 

 of a tree, or on several branches close to the trunk, 

 at varying heights, in the densest parts of woods and 

 forests. Some authorities seem to be of opinion that 

 the bird has ceased to breed in the British Isles, but 

 Mr. Dixon says that it still does so in some favoured 

 localities of Wales and Scotland. 



Materials. Sticks and twigs are used liberally 

 for the outsides, and the foundation lined with moss, 

 wool, grass, and any rubbish the bird can pick up, 

 such as bits of paper and rags. 



Eggs. Two to four, generally three. Greyish 

 dirty white, spotted, blotched, and streaked with dull 

 red and brownish-yellow, with underlying markings 

 of greyish-lilac. The markings are generally most 

 numerous at the larger end. Subject to considerable 

 variation. Size about 2-25 by 1-75 in. 



Time. May. 



BemarJcs. - - Eesident. Note, a shrill shriek, 

 known in some localities as a " whew." Local and 

 other names: Glead, Fork-tailed Kite, Fork-tailed 

 Glead, Gled or Greedy Gled, Puttock, Crotchet-tailed 

 Puttock, Glade. Sits pretty closely, and it is said will 

 defend its nest when, in danger of having it robbed. 

 K 



