INTRODUCTION. 
xxxix 
Subfamily MILA^IN^E. 
Genus Milvus. 
The true Kites, or the members of this f^enus as now restricted, are birds of the Old World, over which 
they are so j^etjerally distributed that, with the exception of New Zealand and Polynesia, one or other of the 
few species known are to be found in every part of it. Their disposition is less cruel than that of the true 
Falcons ; and they feed principally on garbage ; they are consequently useful scavengers, and, moreover, 
arrant thieves. 
28, Milvus regalis ............ Vol. I. PI. XXII. 
Kite or Glede. 
The common Kite of England, which in Shakspeare’s time might prohahy he hourly seen soaring over 
the metropolis, is now, thanks to the exterminating hand of man, rarely to be seen in any part of the 
country. If a solitary pair should occasionally he met with, they should be hailed with reverence as being 
almost the sole remnant of a departed race — so far as our islands are concerned ; for in Central and Eastern 
Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa the species still exists. The Kites build large grotesque untidy nests 
of moss, wool, rags, and rubbish of every description ; and when our species was plentiful, it must have kept 
the housewife on the alert for her frills and furbelows hung out to dry on the village hedge, fully justifying 
Shakspeare’s line ; — 
“ When the Kite Jjuilds look to lesser linen.” 
Inhabits Europe generally, Asia Minor, and North Africa. 
29. Milvus migrans ............ Vol. I. PI. XXIII. 
Black Kite. 
I have mentioned above the approximate extermination of the English Kite ; and I may now state that, 
should such unhappily be the ultimate result, it seems likely that its place would be supplied by another 
species, the Milms migrans, which would seem to show some indication of an intention to come among us, 
at least in one instance, as will he seen on reference to my plate of the species, which was taken from a 
specimen killed at Newcastle-on-Tyne. 
Inhabits Central Europe, Siberia, Palestine, Africa, and Australia, in which latter country it is only an 
accidental visitor. 
