KITE, CRAXE. 



THE TYRANT SHRIKE 



Is only eight inches in length : it is of a dark brown 

 colour above and white below : the head and tail are black, 

 the former has a stripe of orange on each side. These are 

 its colours in Carolina and Georgia, but it varies much in 

 other parts of America. It is a bird of singular courage, 

 pursuing and putting to flight any bird that ventures too 

 near its nest. It has been seen to fix itself on the back 

 of an Eagle, and completely master him by its persecu- 

 tions. It has a chattering note, and is harmless with 

 respect to man. It builds its nest in an open manner on 

 the ground. The eggs are flesh coloured, with spots of 

 pink and black at the larger end. 



THE KITE. 



THE Kite may be distinguished from all the rest of its 

 tribe by its forky tail, as well as by its slow, equable, and 

 almost incessant motion on the wing. Its length is 

 twenty-seven inches, and the expansion of the wings about 

 five feet. It subsists principally on accidental carnage ; and 

 is an insiduous thief, rather than a bold robber. It 

 prowls about in quest of prey ; and, when it meets with a 

 stray chick, or an unsuspecting bird, it pounces upon it at 

 once. 



The Kite usually builds its nest in woods, particularly 

 in mountainous countries. Lord Bacon observes, that 

 when this bird flies high, fine dry weather may be 

 expected. Formerly it was considered as valuable in 

 medicine, but on no just foundation. 



THE CRANE. 



THIS is a long, tall, slender bird, of little elegance, or 

 beauty in its external appearance. The head is covered 

 with black bristles, and the back part of it, which is bald 

 and red, is a sufficient distinction between it and the stork, 



