THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



175 



as a shrill squeal, resembling the word | 

 " whew." The young birds make a noise very 

 like a kitten mewing. 



Flight — On the wing this bird is seen to ; 

 the best advantage, its flight being very . 

 elegant, it glides with outstretched, and ap- 

 parently motionless wings, making large j 

 sweeping circles around a poultry yard, or 

 some other source of attraction. In common 

 with some other hawks it sometimes wheels j 

 in circles, and ascends to such a height as to I 

 become almost or completely invisible. It is 

 very easy to distinguish on the wing if the j 

 observer is near enough to see the forked end 

 of its tail. 



Migration — I" most of the countries of ! 

 Europe, especially the northern ones, the 

 Kite retires on the approach of winter, to the | 

 warmer parts of Africa. Even in Palestine j 

 the Kite moves south in the autumn, return- | 

 ing in early spring to the ravines of Ledanon 

 and Gilead to breed. 



Food.— The Kite seems to be almost 

 omnivorous, feeding upon leverets, 

 rabbits, birds, fish, moles, rats, and mice ; 

 also on reptiles, worms, and probably insects. 

 It is said to be very fond of chickens, for 

 which it will run into great danger in visiting 

 farm yards. It is not very choice in its food, 

 and will even feast off carrion. It 

 may sometimes be seen skimming over a sheet 

 of water, or following the course of a stream, 

 where it will dip down, and take dead fish, or 

 other animals floating on the surfrce. When 

 it takes its prey alive it generally steals upon 

 it, and snatches it from the ground. 



In confinement it is easily tamed, 

 especially if taken from the nest when young, 

 It is said to be very fond of rats and 

 mice. When the Kite was abundant in Eng- 

 land it was no uncommon thing to see one 

 descend into the streets of London, or other 

 large town, in order to pick up some dead 

 fish or other offal, in this way rendering great 

 service in clearing away offensive and putrid 

 matter. 



Habitat.— Though this species is not 



now known to breed in this country, or at 

 any rate to have any regular nesting places, 

 it has done so within a very recent period, 

 and doubtless would soon establish itself 

 again, were it not for the constant war waged 

 against every bird of pre}- by the gamekeepers. 

 The Kite, from its habit of taking its prey on 

 the ground, and not caring whether it be dead 

 or alive, is very readily taken in a trap, and 

 has thus been easily exterminated. It is 

 rarely seen in England now, and any chance 

 visitor has little opportunity to escape the 

 numerous traps and guns ready for its 

 destruction. It prefers downs and hilly 

 districts, especially if well wooded with tall 

 trees. In Scotland and Wales it used to be 

 equally common, but is quite as rare now. 

 It is said to have been common in some parts 

 of Ireland over a hundred years ago,- but is 

 now a very occasional visitor. 



A.B&OAD it is found all over Europe, com- 

 mon in Palestine. In the flat districts of 

 Southern Russia it is abundant, and is found 

 during winter in North Africa. 



Nest. — The nest is either placed in a tall 

 tree, or on the face of a rock, and if the latter 

 generally where some small tree or shrub 

 comes out from a crevice. Jt is composed of 

 sticks, with bones, pieces of old leather, &c, 

 lined with wool, or any soft material the bird 

 can get hold of, such as pieces of old linen, 

 cloth, &c. , and is sometimes of large size. 

 The last one recorded in Yorkshire was taken 

 by Mr. Hugh Reid from a tree m Edlington 

 Wood, near Doncaster. The old birds are 

 very strongly attached to their nest, and will 

 fight desperately with any intruder, so that 

 more than one nest is seldom found in the 

 same locality. 



EggS- —Three is the usual number of 

 eggs laid by this bird. The ground color is 

 bluish white, with red-brown blotches and 

 streaks, chiefly at the larger end. They are 

 not unlike some eggs of the common Buzz- 

 ard, but Wooley says they may be disting- 

 uished by the those of the Jute having a 

 greenish cast when held against the light. 



