200 DIURNAL BIRDS OF PREY. 



of white at the base of the primary quills. This kite is distributed over the whole 

 of Africa and Madagascar, from whence it migrates into Southern and Western 

 Europe, while it occasionally reaches Scandinavia, and has been taken in England. 

 Mr. H. Saunders observes that this kite appears on the Swiss lakes and rivers 

 about the middle of April, and leaves early in the autumn. Frequently it may be 

 seen fishing in the Lake of Geneva, and often, while one of a pair is engaged in 

 this occupation, its fellow will be soaring high in the air. Leith- Adams writes 



EGYPTIAN OR YELLOW-BILLED KITE {\ nat. size). 



that as the red kites were formerly wont to play the part of scavengers in London, 

 so do the black kites at the present day in the filthy lanes of Cairo. " Assisted by 

 its ally, the Egyptian kite {M. cegyptius), which may be distinguished from the 

 other on wing by the pale colour of its bill, they hover over the refuse-heaps, 

 slaughter-houses, and wherever carrion and ofFal are collected, now pouncing on 

 their food and bearing it off in their talons, or, with that remorseless activity 

 characteristic of the genus, pursuing pigeons, until the terrified birds, worn out by 

 exertion, sink exhausted, and are despatched by the enemy. Nor is this all : the 

 fisherman has to keep a good lookout when he lands his net, as one or other is 



