ALLIED KITE. 
constantly flying about the homestead picking up any scraps or offal 
they could find : at neither place were they nesting.” 
Grould’s notes read : “ With the single exception of Tasmania, it is 
universally dispersed over all the Australian colonies. It is quite as common 
on the Coburg Peninsula as it is in the southern portions of the country : 
and that it is as abimdant in the centre of Australia as it is near the coasts 
is shown by Captain Sturt having observed it flying in great numbers 
over the far interior; but Mr. W. Allan informs me, in a letter dated 
August 8, 1859, that there is an uncertainty, or rather an irregularity, 
in its appearance in different parts of the country. During a residence of 
nine years on the Diver Manning, I never saw a single example of the bird 
until a few months ago, when it appeared on the flats bordering the river in 
flocks of forty or fifty in number. As far as I can learn, they previously 
appeared on the banks of the Hunter ; they have now left, but are plentiful 
at Port Macquarie : they seem, therefore, to be journeying northward. I am 
told that they appeared in a similar manner about twenty years ago.’ The 
confident and intrepid disposition of this bird renders it familiar to everyone, 
and not unfrequently leads to its destruction, as it fearlessly enters the 
farmyard of the settler, and, if unopposed, impudently plays havoc among 
the young poultry, pigeons, etc. It is also a constant attendant at the 
camps of the aborigines and the hunting-parties of the settlers, perching on 
the small trees immediately surrounding them, and patiently waiting for the 
refuse or offal. The temerity of one individual was such, that it even 
disputed my right to a Bronze-winged Pigeon that had fallen before my 
gun, for which act it paid the penalty of its life. The flight of this 
bird, which is closely allied in character to that of the Milvus ater of Europe, 
is much less protracted and soaring than that of the typical Kites ; the 
bird is also much more arboreal in its habits, skulking about the forest 
after the manner of the true Buzzards. Great numbers have been observed 
hovering over the smoke of the extensive bush-fires so common in Australia, 
closely watching for lizards and any of the smaller mammalia that may 
have fallen victims to the flames, or have been driven by the heat 
from their lurking-places.” 
Capt. Sturt’s notes referred to by Gould are : “ The Allied Kite 
is common over the whole continent of Australia. They are sure to be 
in numbers at the camps of the natives, which they frequent to pick 
up what may be left when they go away. They are sure also to follow 
any party in the bush for the same purpose. About fifty of these birds 
remained at the Depot, with about as many Crows, when aU the other 
birds had deserted us, and afforded great amusement to the men, who 
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