42 



CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



rather shallow, curves gently from its base, and terminates in an abrupt hook ; the margins are straight 

 but furrowed. The feet are small and powerful, the toes short, and armed with sharp and very crooked 

 talons. The plumage is soft, and composed of large feathers. The entire coat of the adult bird is 

 white, if we except the mantle and tail, which are black, but gleam with a metallic lustre ; the inner 

 web of the secondary quills is white towards the tip. In young birds the feathers upon the nape and 

 back of the head have black or very dark shafts, the plumage upon the back is grey and lustreless, the 

 lower wing-covers are also tipped with grey, the exterior secondary quills are pure white. The eye is 

 dark brown, the beak black, the cere blueish grey, the feet are greenish blue, and the claws horn 

 colour. The male is somewhat smaller than its mate, from which it is also recognisable by the pure 

 white of the rump and the brilliant black of the wings. The length of this species is about twenty- 

 three inches, its breadth fifty inches; the tail measures sixteen, and the longest tail-feathers twelve 

 inches. 



The Swallow-tailed Kites inhabit all parts of South America, from the South of Brazil to the 

 Southern United States, only appearing, however, in the latter region during the summer months. 



According to Audubon they visit Louisiana and Missis- 

 sippi about April, and depart in September. Some few 

 penetrate as far as New York and other Northern 

 States, but they are merely stragglers. These Kites 

 generally live in large flocks, that pass their time in 

 sweeping and hovering over the face of the country, or 

 perching sociably amongst the branches of trees, which, 

 when thus occupied, present a spectacle not easily for- 

 gotten. " The flight of this elegant species of Hawk," 

 says Audubon, " is singularly beautiful and protracted ; 

 it moves through the air with such ease and grace that it 

 is impossible for any individual who takes the least plea- 

 sure in observing birds not to be delighted with the sight 

 of it whilst on the wing. Gliding along by easy flap- 

 pings, it rises in wide circles to an immense height, in- 

 clining in various ways its deeply-forked tail to assist the 

 direction of its course, dives with the rapidity of lightning, and, suddenly checking itself, re-ascends, 

 soars away, and is soon out of sight. At other times a flock of these birds, amounting to fifteen or 

 twenty individuals, is seen hovering around the trees. They dive in rapid succession amongst the 

 branches, glancing along the trunks, and seizing in their course the insects and small lizards of which 

 they are in quest. Their motions are astonishingly rapid, and the deep curves which they describe, 

 their sudden doublings and crossings, and the extreme ease with which they seem to cleave the air, 

 excite the admiration of him who views them while thus employed in searching for food." 



Their food, we are told, consists principally, indeed, almost exclusively, of insects. Audubon, 

 however, states that they will also devour lizards and snakes. When in pursuit of insects they hunt 

 after the manner of Swallows, only with this difference, that, unlike those birds, they seize the prey 

 with the foot. As yet all efforts to keep this beautiful species for any length of time in a cage have 

 proved unavailing, owing to the difficulty of providing suitable food. 



THE SWALLOW-TAILED KITE 

 (Nauclerus furcatus) . 



The CHELIDOPTERI represent a group of African Kites, that resemble the above-described 

 species as regards their general appearance, but are readily distinguishable by the different con- 

 struction of their feet and wings. 



