280 THE KITE. 



But, to return to the kite he is the shyest of birds; 

 not even at the time of incubation can you often get a 

 shot at him. I have frequently found the nests : they 

 are much like the carrion-crow's, only larger and more 

 impervious. They are lined with whatever the birds can 

 pick up such as old stockings, worsted gloves, wool, or 

 indeed anything soft and warm. There are seldom more 

 than three eggs, often only a couple. Kites generally 

 build in the pine forests on the hills, and select a tree, with 

 a thin bare stem, often very difficult to climb. I once 

 concealed myself at the foot of a tree where a kite was 

 sitting, in order to shoot it on its return to the nest for 

 they generally fly off at the most distant approach of an 

 enemy. I was perfectly hid; and, after waiting nearly 

 an hour, had an opportunity of witnessing the tact and 

 cunning of the bird. The sun was shining warm upon 

 the nest, or it would, most likely, not have kept me so 

 long ; at last I saw it flying round in very wide circles, 

 which gradually narrowed : it then lighted upon a distant 

 tree, and peering round in every direction, chose a nearer ; 

 and so on, until it came within three or four trees of the 

 nest. It was now within shot ; but I had unfortunately so 

 placed myself as only to command the nest-tree, never 

 doubting that it would light on this before it settled upon 

 the nest. But I was out in my reckoning ; as soon as 

 it had tolerably reassured itself, it rose perpendicularly 

 in the air, and came down upon its nest like a stone. 

 The manner in which I was concealed prevented my 

 getting a flying shot ; so nothing remained but to fire 



