THE KITE. 219 



the quiet is broken by its peculiarly shrill 

 whistle or squeeL* When intruding on the 

 eyrey, both sexes soar in a circling manner, 

 making frequent dashes to the vicinity of the 

 aggressor, uttering their cries with vehemence, 

 shriller and more peculiarly toned. The nest is 

 often placed only about half way up the tree, 

 close to the stem, a slight and flat fabric. The 

 eggs, two or three in number, are less than those 

 of the common buzzard, and are white, specklet 

 with brown. (See Plate XVI. fig. 1.) 



The food of the Kite is various ; young 

 game, the produce of the farm-yard, and rep- 

 tiles, particularly the common lizard which is 

 so abundant on the moors in summer, furnish 

 ample food. Where there is a herring fishery 

 near, the refuse, which is daily left on the 

 beach is eaten. We have seen this several years 

 since at Inverary. W'hen the curers retired to 

 their meals, six or seven of these birds would 

 frequently sail down from the neighbouring wood, 

 and uttering their shrill squeel, carry off the 

 cleanings. We are aware of no part where these 

 birds are more abundant than on both sides of 

 Loch Fine ; and during the season of the fishery, 

 they may have been attracted to the vicinity of the 

 stations. We have no authenticated instance of 



* " Whew," as the shepherds and keepers call it. 



