THE BLACK KITE. 



Milvus migrans (Boddaert). 

 Plate 35. 



This migratory species, smaller and duller in colour than our Kite, though by 

 no means black, may easily be distinguished by its shorter and less forked tail, 

 and has twice occurred in Great Britain, the first example at Alnwick, Northumber- 

 land, in May 1866, and the other near Aberdeen in April 1901. It breeds princi- 

 pally in Central and Southern Europe, as well as in Asia and North Africa. 



Lord Lilford says, in his work on British Birds, " the present species generally 

 nests in pine-trees, poplars, or willows, at a considerable height from the ground : 

 several pairs are often to be found breeding in close vicinity." 



The two eggs resemble those of the Red Kite, and both birds live on much 

 the same kind of food, although the Black Kite is more partial to fish. 



The sexes are alike in colour. 



II 



57 



H 



