A CCIPTTRES. p A LCONIDJi.
M il v u s ic t in ü s (S a v ig n y * ).
TH E K IT E , OR O L EA D .
Milvus vulgaris f.
M i l v u s , Lacépèdet—Beak straig h t a t th e base, curved from the cere to the
point, cutting margin with a slight festoon. Nostrils oval, oblique. Wings Ion« ■
the th ird or fourth quill th e longest. Tail long, and generally forked. Legs
shorty Toes short and strong, th e oute r toe united a t its base to th e middle toe
b u t slightly reversible. Claws moderately long and curved.
T h e b e d K i t e , o n c e a f a m i l i a r b i r d i n t h i s i s l a n d , but
n ow o n e o f t h e r a r e s t , i s r e a d i ly d i s t i n g u i s h e d a m o n g the
B r i t i s h Falconidoe, e v e n w h e n a t a d i s t a n c e 011 t h e w in g , by
i t s lo n g a n d f o r k e d t a i l , a n d i t s g r a c e f u l a n d g l i d i n g flight,
* Système des Oiseaux de l’Égypte et de la Syrie, p. 28 (1810).
t Fleming, British Animals, p. 51 (1828).
î Mémoires de l’In s titu t, iii. p. 506 1800-1801).
which has given it, according to the best authorities, the
name, Glead. The word so rendered, however, in our version
of the Bible is of more general application in Canon Tristram’s
opinion, and Ayah, translated Vulture, more properly means
Kite. Occasionally this species sails in circles, with its
rudder-like tail by its inclination governing the curve; then
stops, and remains stationary for a time, the tail expanded
widely. In its mode of taking its prey the Kite is distinguished
from Falcons and Hawks generally, by seizing it
upon the ground. The nature of the food also makes this
habit evident; twenty-two moles have been found in the
nest of a Kite, besides frogs and unfledged birds : it preys
also on leverets, rabbits, snakes, and fish, but where it is
abundant its food is chiefly offal, thus illustrating Sir T.
Browne’s remark that it was scarce near Norwich, “ because
of the plenty of Ravens.” Old traditions shew that it frequently
visited the poultry-yard, but it was not remarkable
for its courage, and hens have been known by their vociferations
and show of resistance to protect their chickens from
the threatened attack, and even to drive away the unwelcome
intruder.
In Hertfordshire and Essex the Kite was called the Put-
tock, and the Crotchet-tailed Puddock; hut this name, as
well as that by which it is now commonly called, was, and is,
often used indiscriminately in some localities for the Buzzards
and Harriers as well.
In former days the Kite, from the excellent sport it shewed
when pursued by Falcons, was esteemed a bird especially
adapted to the gratification of Royalty, and hv many
naturalists it is still called Milvus regalis, the epithet being
originally bestowed upon it from this circumstance. The
Falcons which cost Sir Thomas Monson so large a sum
of money, as previously mentioned (p. 51), were expressly
trained for this flight, hitherto unknown in England, and
the only ones he could ever get to perform it. That gentleman
was Master Falconer to James I., and, says the gossiping
chronicler, Sir Antony Weldon, “ in truth such a one, as no
Prince in Christendome had.” The birds killed nine Kites