258 Accipitres.- BIRDS. Fai.conid.m, 
so that, as stated by Mr. Gould, from ten to forty of 
them may not nnfrequently be seen reposing on a single 
tree, after securing their morning meal. Their food 
consists partly of carrion, partly of reptiles and insects; 
and it is not often that the}' prey upon birds or small 
i\Iammalia. The nest, -which is about the size of that 
of a crow, is composed of sticks, and lined with strips 
of bark, leaves, &c. ; it is built amongst the highest 
branches of lofty trees. The eggs are two or tliree in 
numher, usually of a buffy white colour, blotched or 
mottled nearly all over with reddish-brown. 
THE WHITE-NAPED FALCON {lerax eutolmus) . The 
genus lerax, which is peculiar to the East Indies, 
includes the smallest species of the family Falconidae; 
hut, notwithstanding tlieir diminutive stature, these 
little birds are by no means inferior in courage to the 
largest and strongest of their allies. Their talons are 
formed on the precise model of those of the lai'ger 
falcons ; their little beaks are strong and much hooked, 
and the margins of the upper mandible armed with 
large teeth, indicating predaceous propensities of the 
veiy highest order. These little falcons, often smaller 
than a thrush, are frequently trained by the Hindoos 
for the purpose of falconry, when they are flown at 
quails and other game of corresponding size. Captain 
Mundy describes the mode of flying this falcon in the 
following words : — “ The mode of starting it is different 
from that used with any other hawk. The falconer 
holds the little well-drilled savage within the grasp of 
his hand ; the head and tail protruding at either end, 
and the plumage carefully smoothed down. When he 
arrives within twenty or thirty yards of the quarry, the 
sportsman throws his hawk, much as he would a cricket 
ball, in the direction of it. The little creature gains 
his wings in an instant, and strikes his game after the 
manner of the Bliause (Goshawk).” 
KITES. 
THE COMMON KITE {Milvus imlgaris), although comparatively rare occurrence, especially in the south- 
formerly very abundant in this country, is now of ern parts of the kingdom, the gradual clearing of the 
Fig. 101. 
Tlie Coiimion Kite (Milvus vulgaris). 
extensive ranges of forest, which form his favourite 
retreat, having exposed him to be all but exterminated 
by the g.nmekeepers. The districts where the Kite is 
now most frequently met with, are the lake country of 
Cumberland and Westmoreland, and the south-w'estern 
part of Scotland On the continent of Europe it is not 
