MILVUS MIGRANS. 187 



196. Milvus ictinus, Savigny. The Red Kite. 

 Moorish. Siwana. Spanish. Milano real. 



" Found in the vicinity of Tangier in much smaller numbers 

 than the next species, being seen on passage only in pairs ; the 

 birds which remain to nest appear to be those which are the first 

 to go south ; the remainder cross to Europe in March, returning 

 in October ; a few, however, stay throughout the winter. The 

 eggs, two or three in number, are very similar to those of the 

 Black Kite, but always larger." Favier. 



The Red Kite is resident and to be seen almost everywhere on 

 the Spanish side of the Straits though in the immediate vicinity 

 of Gibraltar they seldom occur except on passage ; but Verner 

 found between 1875-79 two pairs nesting about the first week in 

 April, in some pine-woods not very far from the Rock, using 

 Ravens' old nests. They are as common in winter as at any other 

 season, and they particularly aifect districts where there are many 

 pine-trees, on which, in company with the Black Kite, they nest, 

 but from a month to at least a fortnight earlier, and never in 

 such numbers as that bird. The Red Kite is easily distinguished 

 from the next species, when on the wing, by the light colour and 

 much more forked tail ; when flying overhead by the wings, 

 which, underneath, are light coloured, with one dark patch on 

 each ; in the Black Kite the underparts of the wing are dark. 



General colour rufous. Tail rufous and much forked ; legs short ; iris 

 yellow. Length 24 inches. 



197. Milvus migrans (Boddaert). The Black Kite. 

 Moorish. Siwana. Spanish. Milano negro. 



" Seen near Tangier in immense flights, which pass over to 

 Europe in February and March, to return in August and 

 September. Many remain to breed, awaiting the return migration 

 from Europe, when they all disappear for the winter." Favier. 



Though a Spanish name is given above, very few Spaniards 



