410 



FAMILY FALCONID/E ; SPARROW-HAWK, KITES. 



presence of Man. This Hawk builds in trees and thorn-bushes, 

 making a shallow flat nest of twigs ; occasionally it occupies 

 the deserted nest of a Crow ; and in the Orkneys it breeds on 

 the rocks and sea-cliffs. There is an African Hawk, equalling 

 the Gos-Hawk in size, which is an exception to the general 

 rule in regard to the absence of the powers of song in this 

 order ; having an agreeable voice, which it uses every morning 

 and evening, not unfrequently continuing its strain through the 

 whole night. 



373. The Kites are much inferior in the strength of their 

 bills and talons ; but their wings are very long in proportion to 

 their size ; and their tail is forked. They are remarkable for the 



ease, grace, and buoyancy of 

 their flight ; and for their 

 power of remaining for a long 

 time almost motionless upon 

 the wing. They sweep through 

 the air in wide circles, sailing 

 on outspread wings, and using 

 the tail as a rudder; and they 

 often mount to such a height, 

 as to become nearly invisible. 



Their great elevation serves, as in the Eagles, to give them a wide 

 range, over which they cast their eyes in search of their prey ; 

 but, having discerned it, they do not make a stoop or rush towards 

 their victim, but skim it (as it were) from the surface of the earth, 

 or even the water, and bear it away in their talons. They habitu- 

 ally feed on moles, rats, mice, young poultry, and small reptile 

 but they do not refuse carrion. A very slight show of resisl 

 ance is usually sufficient to scare them away ; as they are by 

 means courageous Birds, except when defending their young. 

 The common Kite or dead (which last name seems derived 

 from the word glide, significant of its motion), is found in nu 

 parts of England; though it is not now so abundant as formerly. 

 No longer since than the time of Henry VIII., the office 

 scavenger in London and other towns was chiefly performed 

 numerous Kites ; and at the present time it answers the si 



FIG. 214. KJTE. 



