KITE. 79 



THE KITE is readily distinguished among the British 

 Fahonidce, even when at a distance on the wing, by its 

 long and forked tail. The flight of this large bird is sin- 

 gularly graceful and easy, gliding smoothly along with 

 little muscular exertion. It still retains in some districts 

 the name of Gled, or Glead, derived, according to Pen- 

 nant, from the Saxon glida. The term Glede, having re- 

 ference to this species, occurs in Deuteronomy, ch. xiv. 

 v. 13. Occasionally it sails in circles, with its rudder-like 

 tail by its inclination governing the curve ; then stops, and 

 remains stationary for a time, the tail expanded widely, 

 and with its long wings sustaining its light body, appa- 

 rently from the extent of surface the bird is able to cover. 

 In its mode of taking its prey the Kite is distinguished 

 from Falcons and Hawks generally, by pouncing upon it 

 upon the ground. The nature of the food also makes 

 this habit evident; twenty -two moles were found in the 

 nest of a Kite, besides frogs and unfledged birds : it preys 

 also on Leverets, rabbits, snakes, and particularly on the 

 young of various Gallinaceous birds. The Kite, like the 

 Sparrow-Hawk, frequently visits the poultry -yard, but is 

 not remarkable for its courage : Hens have been known 

 by their vociferations and their show of resistance to pro- 

 tect their Chickens from the threatened attack, and even 

 to drive away the unwelcome intruder. 



A writer in the Magazine of Natural History relates 

 that he had almost daily opportunities of witnessing the 

 powers of the Kite in taking fish from a broad river near 

 which he resided ; and though distance prevented him 

 from distinguishing the particular sort of fish, the birds 

 were eminently successful, occasionally alighting on the 

 banks to eat their captures, at other times bearing them 

 off to the woods. 



In Hertfordshire and Essex the Kite is called the Put- 



