MILVIN^. 113 



« 



The wings reach beyond the end of the tail. 



The young bird has the upper plumage light ashy, mixed with 

 brown, the feathers broadly edged whitish, and the under parts 

 sullied white. 



This species of Elanus is found throughout India, and probably 

 other parts of Asia, also over a great part of Africa, straggling 

 occasionally to the South of Europe. Prince Bonaparte, indeed, 

 separates the Indian race, saying that it is considerably smaller 

 than the African one, but this opinion is not confirmed by other 

 ornithologists. 



It occurs in India most commonly in well-wooded, cultivated 

 districts, and in thin j ungle, or the skirts of the forests, avoiding 

 alike bare plains and the depth of the jungles. It is not very 

 much on the wing, nor does it soar to any height ; but either 

 watches for insects from its perch on a tree, or any elevated situa- 

 tion, or takes a short circuit over grain fields, long grass, or thin 

 jungle, often hovering in the air like a kestril, and pounces down 

 on its prey, which is chiefly insects, but also mice and rats, and 

 probably young or feeble birds. I once shot one devouring the 

 carcase of a dove, but it appeared to have been dead for some 

 time, and was probably not killed by the Elanus. It breeds on 

 trees from December to March, and lays two or three white 

 eggs. 



Another species of Elanus is found in Celebes, two in Austra- 

 lia, and one in America. 



Other genera of Kites are Naiiclerus, the type of which, 

 N. furcatus, is found in America, and has been before alluded to 

 as the only other fork-tailed bird of prey besides the Kite 

 (Milvus). The only other species, which is African, differs 

 somewhat in its structure, and has been named Chelidopteryx by 

 Kaup. Rostramus and Cymindis are American forms of small 

 size, with very hooked bills, and feed on insects and frogs. Gamp- 

 sonyx is also American ; it is very close to Elanus. Ictinia is a some- 

 what stronger form, with the tail emarginate, and decidedly fishing 

 propensities, and, like Haliastur, is said not to refuse carrion or 

 garbage. 



P 



