THE KITE. 387 



and grouse, wherever it can find them. The female pro- 

 duces from four to six young ones, which at first are naked, 

 but are soon covered with very tender prickles, gradually 

 growing into spines, with which the old ones are defended. 



THE EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) 



Is so rare that it will be scarcely desirable to describe its- 

 appearance or habits. 



THE KITE (Milvus regalis), 



Commonly known in some districts as the Glead or Gled. 

 This bird is now becoming very rare in consequence of the 

 war waged against it by keepers, from its tendency to destroy 

 game of all kinds. It may be readily known when on the 

 wing by its forked tail, like that of the swallow, in which it 

 differs from all of its congeners in this country. Every now 

 and then, when in the air, after making a large circle in 

 search of its prey, it will remain stationary, with its wings 

 and tail expanded, and without any of the quivering which 

 is perceptible in the windhover. In England the kite is 

 only met with now in extensive wooded districts, especially 

 those which are not strictly preserved. The annexed figure 

 accurately represents the appearance of this bird when at 

 rest, except in colour, which is as follows: Beak horn 

 colour; cere and iris yellow; feathers of the head and neck 

 greyish white, streaked with ash brown; feathers of the back 

 and wing coverts edged with reddish brown round a darker 

 centre; primaries black; upper tail coverts reddish brown; 

 feathers of the tail the same, the inner webs being barred 

 with dark brown, and the under surface greyish white; chin, 

 throat, and poll greyish white streaked with pale brown; 

 breast and belly pale reddish brown, each feather having a 

 longitudinal streak of brown ; under tail coverts of a uniform 

 rufous white; tarsi and toes yellow; claws black. The 

 females are somewhat larger than the males (the length being 

 respectively twenty-six and twenty-four inches); but the 

 plumage is nearly the same, the heads of the former being 

 somewhat more grey, and the under surface of the body more 



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