The SWALLOW-TAILED KITE (_Nauclerus furcatus_) is a most beautiful
member of this group, belonging to Southern and Central America; many
of this species have, however, from time to time found their way to
Europe, and it may therefore be considered as in some measure belonging
to our continent. This remarkable bird is distinguished by its powerful
body, short neck, and small but powerful head. Its wings, which in shape
resemble those of the Swallow, are long, and gradually pointed; their
third quill being longer than the rest. The tail is very long, and so
deeply forked that the exterior feathers are twice as long as those in
the centre; the beak, which is of no great size, and rather shallow,
curves gently from its base, and terminates in an abrupt hook; the
margins are straight but furrowed. The feet are small and powerful, the
toes short, and armed with sharp and very crooked talons. The plumage is
soft, and composed of large feathers. The entire coat of the adult bird
is white, if we except the mantle and tail, which are black, but gleam
with a metallic lustre; the inner web of the secondary quills is white
towards the tip. In young birds the feathers upon the nape and back of
the head have black or very dark shafts, the plumage upon the back is
grey and lustreless, the lower wing-covers are also tipped with grey, the
exterior secondary quills are pure white. The eye is dark brown, the beak
black, the cere blueish grey, the feet are greenish blue, and the claws
horn colour. The male is somewhat smaller than its mate, from which it is
also recognisable by the pure white of the rump and the brilliant black
of the wings. The length of this species is about twenty-three inches,
its breadth fifty inches; the tail measures sixteen, and the longest
tail-feathers twelve inches.
[Illustration: THE SWALLOW-TAILED KITE
(_Nauclerus furcalus_).]
The Swallow-tailed Kites inhabit all parts of South America, from the
South of Brazil to the Southern United States, only appearing, however,
in the latter region during the summer months. According to Audubon they
visit Louisiana and Mississippi about April, and depart in September.
Some few penetrate as far as New York and other Northern States, but they
are merely stragglers. These Kites generally live in large flocks, that
pass their time in sweeping and hovering over the face of the country,
or perching sociably amongst the branches of trees, which, when thus
occupied, present a spectacle not easily forgotten. "The flight of this
elegant species of Hawk," says Audubon, "is singularly beautiful and
protracted; it moves through the air with such ease and grace that it is
impossible for any individual who takes the least pleasure in observing
birds not to be delighted with the sight of it whilst on the wing.
Gliding along by easy flappings, it rises in wide circles to an immense
height, inclining in various ways its deeply-forked tail to assist the
direction of its course, dives with the rapidity of lightning, and,
suddenly checking itself, re-ascends, soars away, and is soon out of
sight. At other times a flock of these birds, amounting to fifteen or
twenty individuals, is seen hovering around the trees. They dive in rapid
succession amongst the branches, glancing along the trunks, and seizing
in their course the insects and small lizards of which they are in quest.
Their motions are astonishingly rapid, and the deep curves which they
describe, their sudden doublings and crossings, and the extreme ease with
which they seem to cleave the air, excite the admiration of him who views
them while thus employed in searching for food."
Their food, we are told, consists principally, indeed, almost
exclusively, of insects. Audubon, however, states that they will also
devour lizards and snakes. When in pursuit of insects they hunt after
the manner of Swallows, only with this difference, that, unlike those
birds, they seize the prey with the foot. As yet all efforts to keep
this beautiful species for any length of time in a cage have proved
unavailing, owing to the difficulty of providing suitable food.
* * * * *
The CHELIDOPTERI represent a group of African Kites, that resemble the
above-described species as regards their general appearance, but are
readily distinguishable by the different construction of their feet and
wings.