120 ACOIPITRES. 



length is nearly two feet and a half, but a considerable por- 

 tion of that is occupied by the tail, the outside feathers being 

 more than a foot long ; the tail is also very broad and much 

 forked. The weight is about two pounds and three quarters, 

 which is less for the extent of the bird than that of any other 

 of the predatory tribes. The male is considerably less than 

 the female. 



The feathers on the head are dull white, with dusky streaks, 

 which give it a grizzled appearance, and that is heightened by 

 the feathers of the neck being pointed. The feathers above 

 are brown, passing into reddish orange and buff toward the 

 edges ; the under parts are reddish orange, with dusk-brown 

 stripes on the belly and thighs. Upper side of the tail reddish 

 orange, with white tips ; under side reddish white, with 

 obscure brown bars. The female has the general tint of the 

 plumage more inclining to orange, and in some specimens 

 it is even greyish ; so that in some parts of the country, the 

 male is called the "red glead," and the female the "grey 

 glead." 



The kite builds in trees, the nest being concealed in a fork. 

 It is a more carefully constructed fabric than that of most 

 other predatory birds, being closely formed of sticks and the 

 interior lined with wool or other soft materials. The nest is 

 not very often seen, even in those places* where the bird is 

 most common. The eggs are of considerable size, and sel- 

 dom exceed two or three. The young remain a long time in 

 the nest. 



It is doubtful whether the kites are as constant in their 

 pairing as many of the other birds of prey. In the early part 

 of the season, males are not unfrequently seen in desperate 

 combat, though combat of no very dignified kind, but rather 

 a sort of scrambling and scratching ; and as it is not the habit 

 of the kite to attack any living creature nearly as large as 

 itself, or indeed any creature that can show fight, it is not to 



