21 



SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. 



PLATE XI. 



Elanus furcatus, FLEMING. 



Milvus furcatus, JENYNS. 



Nauclerus furcatus, GOULD. 



Falco furcatw, WILSON. 



THE pairing time of this exceedingly elegant species is in the 

 beginning of April, and the male and female sit alternately; each in 

 turn feeding the other. They have, as other rapacious birds, only one 

 brood in the year. 



The nest, which, as a matter of course, is composed of sticks, and 

 is lined with grass and feathers, and probably any such materials as 

 may be met with at the time when they are required, is usually built 

 on the top of a tall tree; and the vicinity of water is preferred, 

 probably on account of the insects to be found there, which form the 

 principal part of the food of this bird. 



The eggs, which are from four to six in number, are described as 

 being of a greenish white colour, irregularly blotted with dark brown 

 at the larger end. 



