BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 195 



THE Black Kite (Milvus a/er, Gmelin) is an extremely 

 rare abnormal spring migrant to the British Islands, and 

 is found inhabiting Europe south of the Baltic, migrating 

 in winter to Africa. The adult male has the upper parts 

 of body and tail dark brown ; head and neck, whitish, 

 streaked closely with dark brown ; primaries, blackish ; 

 under parts, rusty-brown, with streaks of dark brown ; 

 irides, light yellow ; bill, black ; cere, legs, and feet, 

 yellow. Length, from twenty-two to twenty-three inches. 



