BRITISH BIRDS. 123 



havoc among young game, chickens and ducklings, but 

 usually preying upon small birds ; it devours its food on 

 the ground. 



GENUS XCIII. MILVUS, Cuvier (1800). 

 Bill with upper mandible decurved from middle only, 

 its cutting edges nearly straight. Wings and tail long, the 

 latter considerably forked. Feet stout ; tarsus short. 



172. Milvus milvus (Linn.). KITE. 



Hab. Europe, except extreme north and east. 



Male : head and nape greyish-white with dusky streaks; 

 remaining upper parts and tail reddish-brown with blackish 

 centres to feathers of mantle ; wing-quills blackish ; below 

 rust-colour with blackish striations ; iris sulphur-yellow ; 

 cere and tarsi yellow ; claws black. Length 24*50. 

 Female : plumage similar ; length 26*00. 



As a breeding species it has now probably ceased to 

 exist in England; although in several localities in Wales 

 (and possibly also in Scotland) a few pairs still breed 

 (1896), and although the nest is taken more often than not 

 one or two broods seem to be reared safely. In Ireland 

 five or six birds have been observed, but only one taken. 



173. Milvus migrans (Bodd.). BLACK KITE. 



Hab. Europe, south of the Baltic. In winter migrating 

 to Africa. 



An example in the Newcastle Museum was taken at 

 Alnwick, Northumberland, nth May, 1866, and recorded 

 in the Ibis (1867, p.253) by the late John Hancock. 



GENUS XCIV. ELANOIDES, Vieillot (1823). 



174. E. fureatus (Linn.). SWALLOW-TAILED KITE. 

 Hab. Tropical and temperate America, northward 

 (locally) to northern United States. In winter migratory. 



