102 BLACK KITE. 
Tue 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 obtamed 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 Mihle 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 Pyrenées. 
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 Rey. 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 mofe plentiful. This elegant and 
