BLACK KITE. 81 



many passing through Cashmere on migration to winter in India. Th is is a 

 slightly larger bird, with the white at the base of the outer primaries 

 extending below the wing-coverts, and the white on the margins of the 

 feathers of the head confined to the forehead. Of the two southern forms, 

 M. govinda is confined to India, where it is only subject to unimportant 

 internal migrations, whilst M. affinis inhabits Australia, Malaysia, Siam, 

 and Burma, occasionally wandering into India. In neither of these forms 

 is there any white on the forehead or crown ; the principal difference be- 

 tween them is one of size, the eastern bird measuring in length of wing 

 from 16 to 18 inches, and the western bird from 17^ to 19| inches. The 

 former is said to have less white at the base of the primaries than the 

 latter ; but this seems to be a veiy variable character. 



The Black Kite is not only one of the commonest birds of prey, but 

 also one of the most interesting, its aerial movements, great familiarity, 

 and gregarious habits arresting the attention of the observer and fixing 

 the bird upon his notice. The Black Kite becomes more numerous in 

 the southern portion of its range. Dixon, when in Algeria, made the fol- 

 lowing notes regarding it : — " It is very generally supposed that the Black 

 Kite is, like the Common Kite, an inhabitant of forests and wooded dis- 

 tricts ; but such is not invariably the ease. In Algeria I met with the 

 Black Kite in the most desolate of desert country, both on the plains and 

 at altitudes of 7000 feet in the Aures j\Iouiit;iins. I well remember to 

 have seen this fine bird flying over the stony ground on which we obtained 

 our new Chat (Saccicola seebohmi) , where scarcely a tree or bush was to be 

 seen, and where the only other large birds were a few Choughs and Ravens. 

 In the oases of El Kantara and Biskra the Black Kite was also the com- 

 monest Raptorial bird. At the former place they evidently nested in the 

 stupendous cliffs of the pass ; for I constantly saw them entering and 

 leaving the rocks. At Biskra they were to be seen hawking over the desert 

 country in slow graceful flight. The Blacli Kite also inhabits the towns 

 of Algeria as well as the wilderness, and in company with the Vultures 

 plays the part of a scavenger — evidently a welcome and respected guest, 

 for it is never molested by the natives. I usually saw this graceful bird 

 flapping lazily along some fifty yards above the ground ; and sometimes 

 as many as half a dozen were in the air togethei-, wheeling gracefully 

 about in circles for no other purpose, it seemed, than their own enjoy- 

 ment. At Constantine the Black Kite could be seen flying in company 

 with the Egyptian and the Grifi'on Vultures ; but I ne\'cr saw it 

 on the ground searching for garbage like those birds. Because it is 

 left unmolested, the Black Kite is a very bold and fearless bird, and 

 often soars just above the houses, and passes the observer within easy 

 gunshot.'" 



VOL. I. ^ 



