92 



THE KITE. 



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

 not even in the hatching season 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 im- 

 pervious. They are lined with whatever the birds can 

 pick up old stockings, worsted gloves, or any thing 

 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 hatching, 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 re-assured 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 



