126 THE KITE 



perched close at hand, which represents a stay of 43 days in the nest. 

 In another case, where the young were hatched about 16th May, they 

 left the nest on llth July, so that in this case the fledging period was 

 slightly longer. 



On first leaving the nest the young take up their position on a 

 branch about a yard or so away, but later in the day retreat and hide 

 themselves. This continues for about a week, when they take to the 

 wing. One young bird returned to roost on the old perch and stayed 

 there for some days longer. In the early morning the cries of the 

 young for food may be heard for some time after they have learned to 

 fly, and while they are still accompanied by their parents. 



It is interesting to note that in one case where the male dis- 

 appeared (having probably been shot or trapped soon after the eggs 

 were hatched), the female managed to rear the young successfully, 

 but they were still in the nest on 25th July. 



Much of the above information was supplied to me by Professor 

 J. H. Salter, who obtained it from the watchers. In South Spain, where 

 this fine bird is common, the female broods over the young in order 

 to protect them from the heat of the sun, and I have known one sit 

 till I was within seven or eight yards of her. The diet here is some- 

 what different to that of the Welsh kites : as a rule one does not find 

 much food in the nest, but it is by no means uncommon to find 

 remains of snakes and lizards, with sometimes part of a leveret or 

 rabbit. The discarded rags of the charcoal-burners are freely used as 

 decorations to the nest, and more than once we have found empty 

 cardboard match-boxes in the black-kites' nests. High up in the 

 sierras, where rags and paper are not obtainable, the kite has to be 

 content with dry cow-dung and bits of bone. At times the kite will 

 condescend to small game, for I have watched these birds on the 

 Guadalquivir for hours together capturing insects, apparently large 

 beetles, in their claws and transferring them to the beak, without 

 difficulty, on the wing. 



