INDIAN KITES 223 



very hot-bed of disease, whereas it is, despite the 

 heat of the climate and other drawbacks, probably 

 one of the healthiest of all countries. I often 

 endeavoured to catch one of these birds by means 

 of a long fishing-line with a large hook and a 

 piece of meat thrown to a distance ; but although 

 the bait was often seized, as soon as the line was 

 pulled the meat was adroitly dropped. It was, 

 perhaps, as well that I was not successful, for, 

 as I have before remarked, an Indian kite is a 

 most foul feeder, and I should have had good 

 reason to regret a capture. 



If the English kites were as daring as those of 

 India, it is perhaps as well that they are no longer 

 plentiful in this country, for their depredations on 

 game and poultry would be deplorable. Now 

 and again a kite is observed in some one or other 

 of the more Northern counties, less rarely, per- 

 haps, in Scotland ; such occurrences are, however, 

 but seldom, and erelong will doubtless altogether 

 cease. 



Both the Greenland and Iceland falcons are 

 rare in this country, and the gyr falcon is even 

 still rarer, all three birds being far too uncommon 

 for any further reference in the present instance. 



The peregrine falcon was nearly exterminated 

 some years ago, but, owing to the efforts which 

 have been made to preserve it in this country, it is, I 

 am glad to say, now more frequently seen amongst 

 us. As is well known, a pair of these birds have 

 more than once been known to take up their 



