128 BLACK-WINGED KITE. 
species, forming the only European representative of the genus Elanus 
of Savigny. 
The little Black-winged Kite is found generally distributed over the 
Indian continent, and in Africa from south to north. It is common in 
Egypt, and it occurs in north-east and west Africa, the Island of Zan- 
zibar, Palestine, Syria, Asia Minor eastwards as far as India. According 
to Layard it is a bird of passage in South Africa. 
In the north and south of Europe it is an accidental visitor. It has 
been found in France, Germany, and Spain, and is a periodical visitor, 
according to Count Miihle, in Greece. 
Specimens are recorded by Degland as having been killed at Cassel, 
in May, 1830. In the Cote d' Or it has been seen in October; and 
M. Crespon killed an adult male in the same month in the neighbour- 
hood of Nimes. 
It has not, that I am aware of, ever been known to breed in Europe; 
and as its habits have been observed only in Africa and Asia, I shall 
again make extracts from the Madras Literary and Scientific Journal, 
vol. vi., page 77, in which a notice of its manners is given by Mr. 
Hodgson, and vol. x., page 71, where I find the following observations 
by Mr. Jerdon: — 
"Though generally spread over India, the Kupasee is by no means 
common. It is most frequent in woody districts. Its general food is 
insects, (chiefly grasshoppers and locusts,) lizards, and mice. I shot 
one in Goomsoor which was devouring the carcase of a dove; this 
however appeared to have been dead some time, and I doubt if it was 
killed by the Kupasee. It often frequents long grass and grain-fields, 
over which it may be seen to hover like the Kestrel." 
Mr. Hodgson says, "The Chanwa or Black-wing quests chiefly in 
the morning and evening, feeding upon small birds, insects, and mice. 
It does not usually seize upon the wing, though its hunting be for the 
most part by continual questing. Commonly it is seen skimming the 
cultivation like a Circus, occasionally poising itself on the wing for the 
purpose of getting a distincter view of some mouse, small bird, or in- 
sect which has stirred on its beat, and upon which, when clearly 
perceived, it stoops perpendicularly with the speed of lightning. After 
a while it will resort to some low roost, and when relieved commence 
another excursion, or perchance sit and watch there for its prey. Its 
forward flight is easy, low, and silent, but very effective in evolution 
when exertion is required to capture such nimble game as mice, which 
constitute its ordinary food. It frequently whips off insects from the 
stalks of standing grain, and this feat is of course accomplished on the 
wing. I have also seen the Chanwa pursue Cuckoos and Sparrows 
