BRITISH BIRDS. 
quills are dark brown ; the legs yellow ; and the 
claws black. It is common in England, and con- 
tinues with us the whole year : It is found in va- 
rious parts of Europe, in very northern latitudes, 
from whence before winter it retires towards E- 
gypt in great numbers ; it is faid to breed there, 
and return in April to Europe, where it breeds a 
fecond time, contrary to the nature of rapacious 
birds in general. The female lays two or three 
eggs of a whitifh colour, fpotted with pale yellow, 
and of a roundilh form. Though the Kite weighs 
fomewhat lefs than three pounds, the extent of its 
wings is more than live feet ; its flight is rapid, and 
it foars very high in the air, frequently beyond the 
reach of our fight, — yet at this diftance it perceives 
its food diflindtly, and defcends upon its prey with 
irrefiftible force ; its attacks are confined to fmall 
animals and birds ; it is particularly fond of young 
chickens, but the fury of their mother is generally 
fufficient to drive away the robber. 
