COMMON KITE. 77 



would instantly soar, going higher and higher, pursuer and pursued each 

 striving to gain the sky of the other, until, as we are told, both would 

 often disappear from sight. On the other hand the Kite has sometimes 

 been trained to take an humble quarry, such as rats. As a proof of 

 its docility and tameuess, Mr. R. Langtry kept a pair of these birds 

 which were allowed their liberty, but always returned to the lure on 

 being called. 



In the manner of taking its prey the Kite very much resembles the Buz- 

 zards, and even the Harriers. It is by no means a bold and powerful 

 bird ; for a clucking hen has been known to put it to flight, and the 

 fiery little Sparrow-Hawk mobs it with impunity. The Kite takes its 

 food upon the ground, and usually catches young or weakly birds or 

 mammals, and does not even refuse to make a meal on carrion. Like all 

 other rapacious birds, the Kite appears to have some favourite spot which 

 serves it as a dining-table or larder, where the food brought to feed its 

 hungry young is also plucked and otherwise prepared for them. The 

 nest in the breeding-season is also a well-stocked larder, far more food 

 being conveyed thither than is really consumed. In these places may 

 be seen the remains of Grouse, Plovers, and young Curlews and Wild 

 Ducks. In addition to this food the Kite also takes young hares and 

 rabbits, mice and rats, frogs, lizards, more rarely snakes, and the larger 

 coleopterous insects creatures that are taken without much exertion or 

 prowess. In former days, when the Kite was more abundant in these 

 islands than it is now, it was said to be a great enemy to the poultry, 

 young chickens forming a favourite object of its pursuit. At the present 

 day, however, the Kite need cause the poultry-keeper no alarm. Its 

 haunt now, where but a remnant of its former numbers find a last retreat, 

 is in the wildest districts of Scotland, where the Red Grouse is probably 

 its favourite fare. How the Kite manages to take so large and strong a 

 bird as a cock Red Grouse is surprising ; and it is most probably only the 

 young and weakly ones that fall victims to its swoop. Mr. Booth also 

 suggests that the Peregrine ofttimes unwittingly finds the Kite a meal, and 

 puts a bird in its way that would never be secured unless weakly or 

 wounded. As is well known, that bold rapacious Falcon often strikes a 

 bird for mere sport, and will leave it where it lies ; and there, no doubt, it 

 is sometimes found by the less active Kite and conveyed away. 



The note of the Kite may be compared to a wild plaintive scream or 

 " mew," and is but rarely heard, save in the breeding-season. Unmusical 

 as its cry may be, still it appears to be full of a wild harmony with 

 the rugged scenery of its haunts, imbues them with life, and, when heard 

 as the bird ijpsailing far overhead, lends a charm to districts where other 

 bird-life is almost wanting. 



The breeding-season of the Kite commences early in May, and in 



