72 FALCONID.E. 



THE KITE is readily distinguished among the British 

 FalconidtE, 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. 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, apparently 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 unfledg- 

 ed 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 protect 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- 

 tock, and the Crotchet-tailed Puddock. Merrett, in his 



