76 



FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



mentioned, as corroborative of the cowardice of its nature, 

 that it is, or was, commonly made use of in some parts of 

 Germany as a quarry for other hawks to be flown at. 



The note of the Kite is nothing but a shrill shriek, 

 called in some localities its " whew/'' As already stated, 

 the flight is remarkably easy, at times slowly traversing 

 long distances with extended and motionless pinions, and 

 at other times dashing along with great rapidity and 

 vigour. It is fond of soaring to great altitudes and re- 

 maining poised upon outstretched wings, occasionally de- 

 scending to the ground with considerable velocity. 



