BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE KITE. 



FORK-TAILED KYTE, OR GLEAI). 



(Falco MtlvuSy Linn. Afilan royal, Temm.) 



Is easily distinguished from the Buzzard, and 

 indeed from all the rest of the tribe, by its forked 

 tail. Its length is about two feet ; bill horn colour, 

 furnished with bristles at the base ; eyes and cere 

 yellow ; the feathers on the head and neck are 

 long and narrow, of a hoary colour, streaked with 

 brown down the middle of each ; those on the body 

 are reddish brown, the margin of each feather pale ; 

 quills dark brown, legs yellow, claws black. It is 

 common in England, where it continues the whole 

 year. It is found in various parts of Europe, in 

 very northern latitudes, whence it retires towards 

 Egypt before winter, in great numbers : it is said 



