The MEADOW KITE, or ASH-COLOURED HARRIER (_Strigiceps cineraceus_),
must be regarded as representing a distinct group (_Glaucopterix_).
This species is seventeen inches long and forty-two inches broad; the
wing measures about fourteen inches, and the tail eight and a half. Its
wings are very long, and the facial discs but slightly developed. The
head, mantle, throat, and upper part of the breast are in the adult
male greyish blue; the feathers upon the belly and legs are white, with
reddish shafts. The primary quills are quite black, and the secondaries
light greyish blue, marked with irregular black streaks, which form a
well-defined border on the outer wing. The tail is ornamented with four
or five dark stripes. The adult female and young male are brownish grey,
the top of the head being red, striped with black. The lower portions
of the body are white, marked indistinctly with reddish spots. The very
young birds are of a spotless rust-red beneath, and above are covered
with dark brown feathers, these latter being tipped with a reddish shade;
the eye is almost surrounded by a large dark brown patch, under which is
a white spot; the rump is white, the wing and tail feathers marked with
irregular dark spots. The eye of the adult male is bright yellow.
* * * * *
The BLUE KITE, or HEN HARRIER, the first of the three species above
described, is found throughout the greatest part of Europe and the whole
of Central Asia; it seldom, however, wanders very far south, appearing
but rarely in India, and being, we believe, unknown in Africa, where it
is replaced by
* * * * *
The PALLID HARRIER (_Strigiceps pallidus_), which is met with in large
numbers from Egypt to the western coast of Africa, but seldom makes its
appearance in Southern Europe.
* * * * *
The ASH-COLOURED HARRIER (_Strigiceps cineraceus_), on the contrary,
belongs to the South-eastern countries of the European continent, and
the greater part of Asia; it is also common in America. All these three
species so closely resemble each other in their habits and mode of life,
that we shall confine ourselves to a description of the Blue Kite, merely
adding that the names Kite of the Steppes and Meadow Kite, given to the
other two, indicate the districts they principally frequent. All are
active, bold, and cunning: their flight, which is quiet and uncertain,
often consists of a mere hovering in the air; at such times the tips of
the pinions are held above the body, and the tail is slightly spread.
This peculiarly irregular mode of progression renders it impossible to
mistake these Kites for any of their congeners if seen when upon the
wing; they usually fly very near the ground, and but rarely soar to
any considerable height. According to Naumann they avoid lofty trees,
and prefer to perch upon stones or hillocks, sleeping at night amongst
grass, reeds, or corn. Our own observations have proved that this
peculiarity does not apply to the Pallid species, which both sleeps and
perches during the day among the branches of trees, never, however,
selecting such as are at the summit, but seeking a resting-place as
near the trunk as possible, much after the manner of the Owls. When
upon the ground, these Kites run and hop with so much adroitness and
activity as frequently to succeed in capturing a mouse, whilst the
latter is endeavouring to save its life by speed. The early part of
the day is spent in procuring food; at noon they rest, and then resume
their labours until the shades of evening have fully closed in: owing
to the extreme keenness of their sight and hearing, they are capable of
hunting almost in the dark, and can often detect their prey by the sense
of hearing alone. In disposition they are so inquisitive that almost
any attractive object will bring them down to investigate it. Of their
courage we cannot speak in flattering terms, but we have known them join
forces with the Crows in order to attack one of the larger tyrants of
the air. When caged they are easily tamed; we do not, however, recommend
them for domestication. Their voices are not loud, but penetrating.
All these birds are eminently useful to man, as they destroy enormous
numbers of mice as well as frogs and other reptiles; but they also most
unmercifully devour eggs and young birds during the breeding season. We
have never seen them touch carrion. The period of incubation commences
with the spring. The nest is placed among growing grass or reeds, the
parents prudently waiting until it is safely concealed before the eggs
are deposited. Naumann describes the eyrie as being a mass of dry twigs,
grass, potato stalks, and similar materials, lined with hair, feathers,
or moss. Occasionally the nest is merely formed of a little straw or
grass, rudely matted together. The brood consists of four or five eggs,
round in shape, and having delicate shells; these are of a greenish
white colour, sometimes marked with very tiny spots and streaks, but are
entirely without lustre. The young are reared upon mice, small birds,
frogs, and insects.