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O R D. I. G E N. L F A L G O N. 



S P E. X. KITE. 



PI. lO. 



Falco Milvus. Lin. Syfi.l. p. 126. 

 Le Milan Royal. Brif. Orn. I, p. 414. 



The kite is two feet three inches in length ; five feet in breadth, from tip to 

 tip of the wings; and weighs nearly four pounds. The bill is horn colour : cere 

 yellow : eyes pale yellow : the feathers of the head and neck pale grey, with a 

 dafh of brown down the middle of each: the body is a pale red, the middle of 

 each feather being darkeft : quill feathers dark brown : the tail is the colour of 

 the body, except the outer feathers, which are nearly black ; it is very long, 

 and forked j in this differing from all other hawks found in this kingdom. 



This is a common bird in Great Britain ; frequenting marfhes, and frefh 

 waters, in queft of ducks, teal, and other water fowl. It likewife, in the breed- 

 ing feafon, preys on hares, rabbits, and fmall quadrupeds. It builds its neft on lofty 

 trees, in forefts and woody countries; and lays fometimes three eggs. The flight of 

 this bird in the air difl:inguifhes it from all others of this genus ; it glides along, 

 with its expanded wings, by the fteerage of its forked tail, whilft its motion is 

 fcarcely perceptible. 



For the egg, fee PI. III. Fig. 2. 



