File:A history of British birds. By the Rev. F.O. Morris (1862) (14565750307).jpg

Identifier: historyofbritish01morr (find matches)
Title: A history of British birds. By the Rev. F.O. Morris ..
Year: 1862 (1860s)
Authors: Morris, F. O. (Francis Orpen), 1810-1893
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: London, Groombridge and Sons
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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een given to it, not from any supposed royalty in itself, butbecause in former times it was considered royal game. The Kite is common throughout Europe, being found evenin very northern latitudes. It inhabits Italy, France, Switzer-land, and Grermany; is very uncommon in Denmark, Sweden,Norway, Russia, and Siberia; and is met with, though rarely,in Holland. It is also found in various parts of the north ofAfrica, and over the greatest part of Asia. Clusius relates thatthese birds were formerly very abundant in the streets of London,and very tame; it being forbidden to kill them on account ofthe use they were of, in acting the part of scavengers. The Kite is described by authors as being local in thiscountry, and strange indeed would it be if it were not.Where is a bird of its size, and of its handsome appearance,and which is moreover so easily caught in traps, and sodestructive of game, to remain incognito, or in safety in thesedays? The marvel is that a single specimen survives, sola
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KITE. KITE. 53 superstes, as a living monument of the former existence ofits kind. In these times of so-called progress it is, however,to be feared that even this state of things may not continue—no Aborigines protection society exists for the Kite. In Yorkshire, the Kite has been in former times far fromuncommon, but the following are all that are now on record.About twent^^-five years ago, one was caught in a trap atEdlington wood, near Doncaster, and a pair were taken from thenest by Mr. Hugh Reid, of that place. One was obtained atHornsea wood, in 1833, and another in Limn w^ood, both nearBarnsley, in lS4i4<. It has been observed, but very rarely,near Halifax, and one was seen by Charles Waterton, Esq.,near Huddersfield. Others by Sir William Jardine, Bart., andone by Mr. W. Eddison, near Penistone, but there is no notice,that I am aware of, of any having been met with in the Northor East Ridings. Not far from Alconbrny hill, a well-knowTiplace on the old Great North road, (h

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