come to my knowledge may be extended far and wide.
I cannot believe, from my acquaintance with the habits
of this bird, that it would ever be likely to inflict serious
loss upon game-preservers, though, from its habit of
hanging around villages, small chickens are occasionally
taken by it. In many parts of the continent our bird is
still common, especially so in Spain, in which country
many Kites may often be seen soaring in wide circles
over hill and plain, and their shrill plaintive cry is
constantly to be heard. No refuse or garbage comes
amiss to these birds, and they are certainly most efficient
inspectors of nuisances. The nest of the Kite is usually
built in a high tree with a strong foundation and. walls
of dead sticks, and a curious assortment of various
“ unconsidered trifles” as lining. Mr. John Hancock
has informed me that a Kite’s nest, taken many years
ago in Northamptonshire, contained a bit of saddle-girth,
a bit of red worsted binding, a harvester’s glove, and
many pieces of paper and linen, and I am acquainted
with more than one instance of purses containing money
having been found in nests of this bird. The eggs are
usually three in number, white, with rust-coloured spots
and streaks.