210 FIELD-STUDIES OF RARER BIRDS 



chiefly the work of the female, lasts a month. 

 Because the nest is so flat, the Kite sits very high ; 

 indeed, she looks not a little ungainly when thus 

 occupied. 



Stories are on record of Kites attacking those 

 who climbed to their nests, but this I have never 

 known of recent years, though a dog has been 

 struck as it passed beneath the nest-tree. 



Somewhat dependent on the openness of the 

 wood, the Kite, especially with the eggs nearly 

 hatching, usually remains brooding till one is 

 within easy gunshot, sometimes till the nest-tree is 

 well-nigh reached ; but from a very thinly planted 

 hill-side I have seen a Kite leave her nest while I 

 was still a hundred yards distant. When leaving 

 the nest the sitter literally drops a yard or more 

 before quickly swinging up and out of the covert, 

 when, often with her mate, both birds circle 

 excitedly above the haunt, seldom within shot, 

 though periodically one and generally the hen- 

 approaches the intruder with quicker flight than 

 usual, as if to challenge him. The non-sitting bird 

 is normally not far from its busy partner ; he may 

 be in a tree adjacent, or wheeling long and stately 

 far above the haunt. 



If permitted, the Kite quickly returns to its 

 eggs : I have known one recommence to sit before 

 I was out of the small wood containing the eyrie, 

 but, normally, the bird awaits your presence right 

 out in the open, before going back. The return 



