THE KITE 159 



clinging to the bleak hillside, he floats elements, to snatch a hasty meal, . . * 

 across the " cwm " and works gallantly Barcud now drifts triumphantly across 

 along the mountain flank opposite, the valley back to the wood that he 

 It is true that he looks miserably started from, and if followed in the 

 bedraggled, but his spirit is unconquer- mind's eye, he may be seen to alight 

 able as far as the weather is concerned, on a broad, sturdy oak limb his 

 Yet on the beat that he now patrols favourite dining-table and after a 

 he will meet with scant success to- preliminary look round to settle down 

 day. To better his luck he must try to his hardly-earned repast. Pre- 

 the valley itself, and a few strokes of sently his mate for the two seldom 

 his scimitar wings and many a twist hunt in company looms dark and 

 of his cleft tail carry him to the vicinity eerie through the mist, and the two 

 of a little whitewashed farmstead birds, for some time before retiring to 

 the typical Welsh abode. Well he roost, sit motionless but alert in ad- 

 knows this farm ; its inmates perhaps jacent trees. 



know him better, and more, they detest Turn to another picture. It is now 

 him. For many a downy chick and a winter's morn. A week's hard frost 

 fluffy gosling have found their way to has succeeded a heavy fall of snow, and 

 the seclusion of yonder wood grasped forage is scarce enough for many a bird 

 in the talons of the marauding kite. and beast. A steely-blue sky looks 

 For a few minutes the great bird down on the ermined crests of the 

 hangs steadily against the storm within silent hills, but the weather, although 

 easiest range of the watcher standing hard bound in the iron grip of the ice- 

 on the devious track beneath. Then king, is nevertheless bright and crisp ; 

 he curves down and settles momen- occasionally even the pale face of the 

 tarily on a gaunt, black, sentinel pine ; winter sun sheds a few feeble rays on 

 leaves it and hangs again, only to make the countryside's spotless winding- 

 a rapid swoop in the direction of a sheet. A small party of kites five in 

 tumbledown barn. A quarry has been all are wheeling slowly above the 

 made, that much is certain, though no outskirts of the straggling village, 

 chick or duckling at this season. What At one time they are mere dark lines 

 is it then ? A shrill squeak proclaims painted across an interminable grey 

 that a rat is the victim, which like background ; at another, rendered 

 himself has ventured out, despite the inordinately tame by the severity of 



