BRITISH BIRDS. 



37 



to breed there and return in April to Europe, where 

 it breeds a second time, contrary to the nature of 

 rapacious birds in general. It lays two or three 

 eggs of a whitish colour, spotted with pale yellow, 

 of a roundish form. Though the Kite weighs 

 somewhat less than three pounds, the extent of its 

 wings is more than five feet ; its flight is rapid, 

 and it soars very high in the air, frequently beyond 

 the reach of sight : yet from this distance descends 

 upon its prey with irresistible force ; its attacks are 

 confined to small quadrupeds and birds ; it is par- 

 ticularly fond of young chickens, but the fury of 

 their mother is generally sufficient to drive away 

 the robber. 



