Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/278

252 L.; L. rubiconda, L.; Phryganea reticulata, L.; Hydroporus marginatus, Dft.; Hydrophilus piceus, L.; Stratiomis chamæleon, Deg.; Grillotalpa vulgaris, Latr.; gen. Acridium; Cicada plebeja, Scop.

—Limnæus ampullaceus, L.

—Cottus gobio, L.; Esox lucius, L., Gobio fluviatilis, Cuv.; Leuciscus erythrophthalmus, Linn.; Tinca vulgaris, Cuv.

—Rana esculenta, Linn.; Bufo vulgaris, Laur.; Triton cristatus, Laur.

—Lacerta viridis, Daudin; Tropidonotus natrix, Linn.; T. tessellatus, Linn.

—Sturnus vulgaris, Linn.; Gallus gallinorum (chiefly small chickens).

—Gen. Talpa; Crossopus fodiens, Pallas; gen. Mus; gen. Arvicola.

The Black Kite is almost always in pursuit of prey during the day, but is most frequently seen flying about the wood at mid-day and towards evening. It soars so high that it is sometimes scarcely visible, but seems to be a Swallow, and continues wheeling about in circles, or resting suspended upon the expanded wings for some minutes; or, as Allèon says, describing great spiral lines, making various evolutions, rising and descending. Now and then, suddenly closing its wings, it drops down with an extraordinary swiftness and almost touches the highest tops of the trees, and then it recommences its slow spiral flight; if it is left alone, it comes down about the wood, flying among the lofty trees, probably in search of insects. I have several times seen them fly close to the surface of rice fields when over-flooded, and to running water, intent, as Bailly says, on fishing. That author has seen them plunge into the water and take small fishes. I have also noticed them flying over fields where they find Acridium and Grillotalpa, as has also been observed in Spain by Werner.

The number of Black Kites that every year arrive at Grezzano, breeding in companies in the wood, varies from forty to fifty birds. I think that the number given me by the inhabitants of that country must be exaggerated when they say that it amounts to two hundred birds. In 1892 the Rev. Carcereri shot as many as twenty-five Black Kites; but in the following years, 1893-96, only three or four fell to his gun. From what I have