102 BLACK KITE. 



The Black Kite is, according to M. Temminck, 

 found in Germany, but little known in France and 

 Switzerland; very rare in the north, but more frequent 

 in the south; very common in Gibraltar and Africa. 

 It is also common in Japan, where it is known by the 

 name of Tobi; specimens from this part of the world 

 are in all respects similar to those obtained in Europe. 

 Its true habitat is Africa, Japan, the Caucasus, and 

 south of Russia, where it is common. It is very 

 common in Abyssinia. 



Count Von der Miihle mentions its occurrence in 

 Greece, but rarely; and Machado includes it among 

 the birds of Andalusia. According to M. Darracq, as 

 quoted by Degland, it may be seen all through the 

 year hovering over the Ardour, between Bayonne and 

 the mouth of that river. It breeds in the neighbour- 

 hood of Troyes and in Lorraine, and is found in the 

 Bas Languedoc and Hautes Pyrenees. 



In its habits it resembles the other members of its 

 tribe, but its principal food is fish, which it will take 

 out of the river when dead, or plunge into to catch 

 alive. It appears particularly fond of shad. M. 

 Temminck says that the carrion crow will attack it, 

 and force it to drop its prey. 



It builds on high trees, and lays three or four eggs, 

 which Degland describes as yellowish white, or very 

 pale grey russet, with large and very small brown 

 spots, numerous and very close to each other; some- 

 times they are nearly white, with large spots of an 

 obscure red about the larger end. 



The Rev. H. B. Tristram, who collected eggs and 

 birds in Algeria in 1857, says of this bird: — "F. ater 

 has a less extensive range than the Common Kite, but 

 when found, is more plentiful. This elegant and 



