PNR O Dw CL ON,

XXX1X
Subfamily MILVINA.

Genus Minvus.

The true Kites, or the members of this genus as now restricted, are birds of the Old World, over which
they are so generally 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 . ‘ : 4 : : : : i : : : Vol Bir XO.

Kite or GuepE.

The common Kite of England, which in Shakspeare’s time might probably be 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. Ifa solitary pair should occasionally be 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 builds look to lesser linen.”

Inhabits Europe generally, Asia Minor, and North Africa.

29. Mitvus micrans . : : ; : :

: i : : : Vol. 12 PE Xx

Buack Kire.

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 Mfleus migrans, which would seem to show some indication of an intention to come among us,
at least in one instance, as will be 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.