THE KITE. 



293 



• ' The nest of the Buzzard is made either in some suitable tree or upon 

 the rocks, according to the locality, and is generally composed of grass 

 and heather stems, intermingled with long, soft roots, and lined with 

 wool, heather, leaves, and other substances. 



The flight of the Buzzard is rather variable. At times the bird 

 seems inspired with the very soul of laziness, and contents itself with 

 pouncing leisurely upon its prey and returning to 

 the branch on which it has been perched. Some- 

 times, however, and especially in the breeding sea- 

 son, it rises high in the air, and displays a power 

 of wing and an easy grace of flight which would 

 hardly be anticipated from its formerly sluggish 

 movements. This fine bird may still be seen in 

 the New Forest, where I have often watched its 

 airy circling flight. 



The Kite may be known, even on the wing, 

 from all other British birds of prey, by its beau- 

 tifully easy flight and the long forked tail. In- 

 deed, while flying the Kite bears no small resem- 

 blance to a very large swallow, excepting that the 

 flight is more gliding and the wings are seldom 

 flapped. 



It was in former days one of the commonest of 

 the British birds, swarming in every forest, build- 

 ing its nest near every village, and being the great- 

 est pest of the farmer and poultry-keeper, on ac- 

 count of its voracity, craft, and swiftness. Even The American Buz- 

 the metropolis was filled with these birds, which 

 acted the same part that is played by vultures in more eastern lands, 

 and were accustomed to haunt the streets for the purpose of eating the 

 ofllil which was so liberally flung out of doors in the good old times, 

 and which, but for the providential instincts of the Kites, would have 

 been permitted to decompose in the open streets. 



In the present day, however, the Kite is comparatively seldom seen 

 in England, and when observed is of suflScient rarity to be mentioned 

 in the floating records of natural history. 



The flight of this bird is peculiarly easy and graceful, as the wings 

 are seldom flapped, and the Kite sails through the air as by the mere 

 power of volition. From the gliding movements of the Kite when on 

 the wing it has derived the name of Gled, from the old Saxon word 

 glida. When in pursuit of prey the Kite sails in circles, at a consid- 

 erable height from the ground, watching with its penetrating gaze the 

 ground beneath, and sweeping with unerring aim upon any bird, quad- 

 ruped, or reptile that may take its fancy. 

 2o® 



