268 BIRD LIFE IN WILD WALES 



meant nesting in this wood, though I had seen 

 nothing which looked like the real article. 



April 22nd. Visited the Kite's nest which I first 

 found on April 3rd. Neither of the birds were on 

 view, but more lining had been added chiefly scirpus 

 grass and wool with one small Scotch fir branch, 

 foliage and all but a stick was right across the nest, 

 which looked far from healthy, and I was then con- 

 vinced that the Kites did not intend to use it for 

 breeding purposes. However, more down was on 

 the sticks and fresh droppings under the tree. On the 

 way home I saw my keeper friend of the i8th instant. 

 He reported the pair of Kites as still being about the 

 wood, but as yet had found no nest. 



On April 3Oth I was again in Kiteland, and 

 visiting the original nest, found no further alterations, 

 so came to the conclusion that this must be either 

 the attempt of a pair of barren birds or else the 

 " play nest " of a pair which might be breeding else- 

 where. 



I now went to a wooded gully adjoining this wood, 

 in hopes of finding something there, but beyond some 

 Pied Flycatchers I had no reward, so proceeded to a 

 wood which I had not been through since April 3rd, 

 never dreaming that there could possibly be another 

 pair of Kites in this same locality, for the two spots 

 are but a long half-mile apart ; and herein I was at 

 fault, for getting in sight of this wood, I enjoyed a 

 sight as rare as it was beautiful four Kites soaring 

 and circling in the air together. No words of mine 

 can do the scene justice ; but I stood there rooted to 

 the spot for fully five minutes, watching their aerial 



