PLATE 



GENUS MILVUS (Cuvier). 



f j^WQ species of the genus Milvus inhabit Australia. 



MILVUS AFFINIS (Gould). 



ALLIED KLTE. 



HE whole of the Australian continent, and part of India, together with the islands between 

 these countries, constitute the habitat of this bird. It is not found in Tasmania. 



It is very fearless in disposition, a circumstance which causes it to be looked upon with 

 great disfavour by the farmers, as it visits their fowl yards and carries off poultry. 



It feeds on any sort of animal food obtainable, and plays an important part in getting rid 

 of all kinds of refuse of houses. 



Unlike the European Kite, it never flies high, but remains near the ground on the lookout 



for food. 



The sexes do not differ materially either in size or plumage. 



The head and back of the neck are reddish-buff, with a mark of black on the centre of 

 each feather ; upper surface rich brown, tinged with red on the wing-coverts, the shaft of each feather 

 being black ; primaries brown, margined with black, the rest of the wing-feathers dark brown ; tail 

 brown, each feather tipped with greyish-white ; throat, very light buff, the rest of the under surface 

 dark brownish-buff, the shafts of all the feathers being black ; bill, black at the tip, and light buff 

 at the base ; irides, reddish-brown ; feet, yellow. 



Habitats ; All the Australian continent, also part of India, and many of the Indian Islands, 



MILVUS ISURUS (Gould). 



SQUARE-TA LLED KLTE. 



THE present species, which is readily distinguishable from all the other Kites by the square form 

 of the tail, is found in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, 

 frequenting both the forest country and the open plains. Specimens have also been procured in 

 New Zealand. 



