12 2 
British Birds. 
THE 
HONEY-KITE. 
placed in a tree. The eggs are from three to five in number, huffy white with 
reddish brown or chestnut markings, sometimes distributed over the whole egg, 
at other times collected near the larger end. 
This bird is generally called the Honey ‘ Buzzard,’ but it has 
no relations with the genus Buteo and is much more nearly 
(Pernis apivoncs.) related to the Kites and Falcons. The plumage is of a peculiar 
soft texture like that of the Kites, and the feathers of the face 
are very close-set and dense, the plumage appearing like scales. The old Honey- 
Kites may be told by their grey face, and by the 
three dark bands on the tail, while the young 
birds have the sides of the face brown, and as 
many as six or seven, more or less broken bars 
on the basal half of the tail. At one time the 
Honey-Kite used to breed in the New Forest 
and in other parts of England and Scotland, 
but it is now seldom observed breeding in any 
part of Great Britain. It is found throughout 
the greater part of Europe in summer, and 
extends to Central Siberia, its winter home 
being in Africa. The food of the Honey- 
Kite consists almost entirely of insects, but 
it also eats small birds and mice as well as 
slugs and worms. The nest is generally con- 
structed on the old nest of some other bird, 
and the eggs, two or three in number, are 
very handsome, the white ground-colour being 
usually entirely hidden by the rich conglomera- 
tion of chestnut markings. 
All the Falcons are remarkable for having the bare tarsus 
reticulated, both in front and behind, and for having a distinct 
tooth in the bill. They have also a round nostril, with a little 
tubercle or pedestal in the centre of it. They have pointed 
wings, indicative of powerful flight, and very sharp curved claws or talons. The 
Peregrine nests in many places throughout the United Kingdom, and is found 
all over the northern parts of both hemispheres in localities suited to the bird’s 
habits, and where it can obtain a plentiful supply of food. 
The female is a much larger and more powerful bird than the male, and has 
always been the prime favourite of Falconers for its dash and courageous bearing. 
There is scarcely any bird which it cannot capture in direct flight, and it feeds on 
wild-fowl and all kinds of game, and in the vicinity of the sea-cliffs, which it 
frequents, it kills numbers of Gulls and Puffins. It also strikes down Rooks, Crows, 
The Honey-Kite. 
THE PEREGRINE 
FALCON. 
(Fnlco percgrinus.) 
