KITE

A well-known toy; first employed by Romas in France, and Dr. Franklin in America, to elevate a conductor into a thunder-cloud, whereby the identity of lightning with the electric spark was ascertained. It is formed of a slender frame of wood and pack-thread, rounded at one end and terminating in a point at the other, resembling in some measure a cro -bow, and covered with paper. A long string is attached to the frame, near its centre of gravity, by which it is held in the hand. In order that the kite may be capable of being raised, it is nece ary that its flat surface be presented obliquely to the direction of the wind; a string or tail, carrying some light substance, is therefore attached to the sharp end of the frame, and serves by means of its gravity to maintain the proper inclination. The force of the w ind, impinging obliquely on the surface, is resolved into two parts; one perpendicular and the other parallel to the surface: the first of these parts is counterbalanced by the tension of the string held in the hand, and the second is expended in elevating the kite. The position in which the wind acts with the greatest effect is when the perpendicular to the surface is inclined to the direction of the wind (that is, to the horizon) ia an angle of about 54 J degrees. Kite. The uative bird so called is a species of the genus Milvus, separated by Bechstein from the genus Falco of Linnaeus on account of the forked tail, length of wings, and the short and weak beak and feet in proportion to the size of the body. This deterioration of their destructive instruments renders the kite the most cowardly of the birds of prey. The common kite, or glead {Milvus vulgar is), preys chiefly on the smaller quadrupeds and birds, young chickens, .; yet the courage of the mother hen renders her more than a match for the robber, and she generally repels his attacks on his favourite prey. The female lays two or three eggs of a whitish colour, spotted with pale yellow, and of a roundish form. The terra kite is applied in some places, as Devons hire and Cornwall, to the brill {Rhombus vulgar is). KP Vl-KlVI. The native name of the New Zealand ers for their singular bird the Apteryx australis. Sec ApTERYX. [s. 641]