KITE. 
3 
the sexes is almost identical ; in the male perhaps the head is lighter and the markings more clearly defined ; 
the reddish brown on the breast, flanks, and wings is also slightly brighter. The tail is certainly longer and 
considerably more forked. The tints of various specimens differ somewhat remarkably; but it is impossible to 
form a judgment from old skins, as the colours are certain to hide unless great care is taken to prevent exposure 
to strong light. 
I believe that in pursuit of prey for their young the old birds will at times roam over an immense extent 
of ground, as many as fifty or sixty miles being covered during a single foray. As they usually proceed in 
large circles, and seldom in a straight course, the distance actually passed over must be considerably greater. 
Some years back I used to notice (most frequently a few hours after daybreak, but now and then at 
all times of day) a single Kite sailing slowly along over the low ground adjoining the banks of a large river 
in the Central Highlands. The track followed was almost identical on every occasion ; the bird appeared to be 
making its way straight up the valley, but it always paused to take three or four circles over certain patches 
of rough ground, and also regularly examined some straggling plantations of birch that fringed the sloping 
hill-sides. 
On reaching the large fir-woods, a mile or two further up the glen, it would search round more closely; 
but, although often watched, I never observed it capture any prey. Once it appeared to be carrying some 
small object in its talons ; but the height at which it kept rendered a good view impossible. I concluded 
that there was a nest somewhere within a few miles, and made several inquiries, but without any result. 
At length, a year or two later, I discovered by chance that the bird that followed this route belonged (in one 
instance at least) to a nest fully twenty-five miles distant *. 
Having only visited the glens frequented by this species during the summer months, when they were 
engaged in their nesting-operations, I have never met with a chance of studying their habits during the 
depth of winter. The greater part of the birds, I believe, remain in the neighbourhood of their usual haunts ; 
but I can state nothing concerning the manner in which they procure their prey during that season. The 
small numbers (compared with the young of the White-tailed Eagle and the Osprey) that are observed about 
the time of migration would lead one to suppose that but few change their quarters on the approach of 
severe weather f. I was informed by one of the Trinity men who had passed many years on different portions 
of the coast;, and was particularly well acquainted with birds of prey, that he had never seen a Kite during 
his time of service. Numbers of Peregrines, a few single Owls (and on one occasion a flight of forty or fifty), 
an Eagle or two, and several Ospreys had come under his observation; but not a Salmon- tailed Gled had he 
recognized since the days when he had robbed their nests in his native glen. Visitors from the continent are 
by no means numerous ; and as our stock of Kites is far from large, I am afraid that, with the exception 
of two or three forests where the survivors arc strictly guarded, these interesting birds will, before many 
years have passed, have entirely disappeared from the British Islands. 
I am not acquainted with above four or five districts where this species may still be found breeding ; in 
some of these localities but one or two pairs are usually observed, in others as many as three or four nests might 
possibly be found scattered over the woods within a distance of twenty or twenty-five miles. 
The shy and wary habits of the Kite, as well as the nature of the country in which it is now found, can, 
I think, be best described by giving a few extracts from my note-books, written at the time I was in search 
of specimens. 
“1876, June 19th. Having previously made arrangements, drove up the glen and met the keepers, who 
* This circumstance is referred to hereafter. 
t While these pages were in the press I again (September 22nd, 1881) observed a Kite in Sussex within a few miles of the channel • I also 
heard from a fnend o, a speemen procured in Suffolk during the same month. I conclude that a few at all events make a move towards he south 
as the autumn advances, unless these are stragglers from across the German Ocean. th 
