30 
VERTEBEATA. 
THE KITE. 
three, of a dirty wliite, with a few reddish-brown spots at the large end. The female lays early 
in the season, and she often makes a vigorous defense when her nest is attacked. This species is 
common in Middle Europe and Northern Asia. It was formerly used in falconry. 
The Black Kite, M. cetolius, is common in Russia, and is found in the Caucasus and in Africa ; 
the Parasitic Kite, M. parasiticus^ is smaller than the common kite, and is found both in Eu- 
rope and Africa. Other species are the Govinda Kite, M. Govinda ; Australian Kite, M. affi- 
nis; the Arabian Kite, M. jEgyiotms. 
Genus BUZZARD : Buteo. — These birds have a short bill wide at the base, wings long and 
wide, tail rather wide, claws strong. There are nearly thirty species, inhabiting all countries. 
The Common Buzzard of Europe — Buse of the French, Falco Pojana of the Italians, Mause-FalJc 
and Wald-Geyer of the Germans — B. vulgaris^ is tAventy-two inches long ; the head is large and the 
body heavy. Above, the color is chocolate-brown ; grayish-white beneath. The feathers are soft 
and downy in texture, and as this bird preys late in the evening, it is deemed an approximation to the 
owls. Its flight is low, and much of its time is spent in sitting on trees, in wooded districts, awaiting 
its prey, which consists of small quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, insects, and earth-worms. Its nature 
is slothful and cowardly, but it is very devoted to its young. If the female be killed, the male 
will rear the brood. In England it builds its nest in the fork of a tree ; in Scotland on the brows 
of rocks and precipices. It seems to be capable of some education, and such is its turn for 
incubation, that in a state of partial domesticity, it has built a nest, and hatched the eggs of 
hens, taking care of the young as if they were its own. This species is common all over the 
wooded districts of Europe, and in some parts it is abundant : it is found in Northern Asia, and 
in the northern parts of North America, though here it seems rare. Richardson states that it 
arrives in the fur countries, from the South, in the middle of April, very soon afterward begins to 
build its nest, and, having reared its young, departs about the end of September. Here it haunts 
the low alluvial points of land which stretch out under the high banks of rivers, and may be 
observed for a long time motionless on the bough of a tree watching for some small quadruped, bird, 
or reptile, to pass within its reach. As soon as it espies its prey, it glides silently into the air, 
and sweeping easily but rapidly down, seizes it in its claws. When disturbed, it makes a short 
circuit, and soon settles on another perch. One of Sir John's specimens had two middle-sized 
toads in his crop. It builds its nest on a tree, of short sticks, lining it with deer's hair. The eggs 
are from three to five in number. 
