19 
KITE. 
GLEAD. PUTTOCK. FORK-TAILED KITE. 
PLATE X. 
Milvus regalis, : : 4 : : Brisson. 
Milvus ictinus, . LINNzEvs. 
Milvus vulgaris, . . ties $ FLEMING. 
Faleo milvus, . , : . ‘ . LINNzUS. 
THE nest of the Kite is built “yearly in the spring,” 
for the most part in the covert of a thick wood, and 
is placed between the branches of some tall tree, but 
rather in the middle than towards the top. Occasionally 
also it 1s located on some rocky precipice. It is com- 
posed of sticks, and is lined with any soft material, such 
as straw, hair, grass, wool, or feathers. In shape, if the 
word may be applied to that which is almost shapeless, 
though rather more closely compacted than that of some 
other birds of the Hawk family, it is rather flat. 
The eggs, which are two or three in number, rarely 
four, rather large, and somewhat more than ordinarily 
round, very much resemble, in some instances, those of 
the Common Buzzard; and possibly this fact may afford 
some confirmatory justification of the juxtaposition of 
these birds. ‘lhe ground colour is a dingy white, bluish, 
or greenish white, or dull brownish yellow. 
One variety is minutely dotted over with yellow or 
brown. 
