THE KITE. 



Milvtis ictinus, Savigny. 

 Plate 35. 



In old days the Kite, often called Glead or Gled from its graceful gliding 

 motion during flight, was everywhere abundant in our country, and appears to 

 have been common in many places till the early part of last century. Now it 

 is only known as a breeding species in certain parts of Wales, but according 

 to the B.O.U. "List of British Birds" (1915), it "is said to have nested 

 in Devonshire in 191 3." Elsewhere in Great Britain it is now only an uncommon 

 visitant, and does not appear to occur in Ireland, but it has a wide range over 

 Europe, as well as North Africa and Asia. 



The nest is generally built high up in the fork of a tall tree, and is composed 

 of sticks and various odd pieces of rubbish, waste paper, and rags. The eggs, 

 usually three in number, are dull white, with blotches and streaks of rust-colour. 



The Kite will eat anything in the way of food which comes easily to hand, in- 

 cluding offal of all kinds, reptiles, small mammals, and birds. Formerly, when it 

 was abundant, it made sad havoc among the young chickens in the poultry yard, 

 and to prevent its depredations on the Scottish crofts, where the rents were paid 

 with pullets, children were generally posted on the watch to "sheu the Glead" 

 (Mudie). 



On the wing the Kite is a most graceful bird, often sailing in wide circles 

 and guiding its flight by its long forked tail. It was much prized for sport in the 

 old days of falconry, being looked upon as the special quarry of kings, and hence 

 the epithet " royal " was applied to it. 



It has a plaintive mewing note. The male is rather brighter than the female 

 in colour, and a little less in size. 



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