30 
composed of sticks, wool, hair, and frequent- 
ly pieces of cloth and any other soft mate- 
rials it happens to meet with. The eggs 
are generally three in number, rarely four. 
These are rather larger than those of a hen. 
They are of a dirty white, with a few rusty 
spots at the larger end. Sometimes they are 
quite plain. 
This bird continues in England the whole 
year, but in some parts of Europe it is said 
to be migratory, retiring to Egypt in great 
numbers, where (according to Bewick) « it 
is said to breed, and returns in April to Eu- 
rope, where it breeds a second time." We 
have not the opportunity to prove or disprove 
the assertion; but should it be correct, it 
establishes a fact contrary to the nature of 
rapacious birds in general. 
BufFon observes, that the Kite " is neither 
bold nor timid ; it has a kind of stupid fero. 
city, which gives it an air of cool intrepidity, 
and seems to remove the sense of danger. 
It is easier to approach and to kill it than 
the Eagle or Vulture; when detained in 
captivity it is less capable of instruction; 
and it has always been proscribed and erased 
