242 CLASS AVES. 



smaller size than itself. This species was formerly called the 

 Royal Kite, because it contributed to the amusement of 

 princes who were wont to send the hawk to attack and van- 

 quish it. 



Buffon, though usually so judicious an observer, has 

 drawn, with exaggerated severity, a picture of the cowardice of 

 this bird. Mauduit regards its qualities and defects moreAvith 

 the eye of a philosopher. Though the beak of this bird may not 

 be much inferior in form or dimensions to that of some of the 

 more courageous raptores, yet the weakness of its talons will 

 account for its excessive pusillanimity. These form in fact the 

 principal weapons of the hunting birds ; with these they strike, 

 arrest, seize, carry off, and retain their prey. It is by the form 

 of the talons that we must judge of the extent of capability 

 in birds of this class, and it is because he is badly armed, that 

 the kite is cowardly. He flies before the hawk, because his 

 talons are short and of little flexibility, while the latter can 

 reach him from a distance with a supple weapon which im- 

 parts facility to all his movements. 



The nest of the Kite is usually situated in the hollows of 

 rocks, or on large and ancient trees of the forest tumbling into 

 decay. It is very ample, but is artificially constructed with 

 small branches interlaced with dry grass and herbs. Two 

 eggs are generally laid ; sometimes three, and even four, ac- 

 cording to M. Temminck. They are white, with some spots 

 of yellowish red. 



The Black Kite, of the text, is the falco parasiticus of Shaw, 

 and is described by Le Vaillant. It is common in South Africa, 

 and is named, at the Cape, Kuyken-dief, which literally means 

 chicken-thief. There is scarcely a habitation where it does 

 not pay a visit at certain hours of the day, and, bolder than our 

 kite, the sight of man will not prevent it from darting on the 

 young domestic fowl. Even shots did not prevent these kites 

 from returning to the waggons where M. Le Vaillant was pre- 

 paring his repast, to carry off some pieces of meat. 



