KITE

A well-known toy; first employed by Itomas in ad Dr. Franklin in America, to elevate a conductor into a thunder-cloud, whereby the identity of lightning with 1c ipark 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 Manure, ■ inw now, 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 ntRM iled obliquely to the direction of the wind; a string rrying some light substance, is therefore attached to the than end of the fnme, and serves, by means of its gravity, lo maintain the proper inclination. The force of the wind, impinging obliquely on the surface, is resolved into two parts; one perpendicular, and the other parallel to the the Aral oi these parts is counterbalanced by the tension of tin.' string held in the hand, and the second is ex-. elevating the kite. The position In which the wiml acta with the greatest effect is, when the perpendicular to the surface is inclined to the direction of the wind (that te horizon) in an angle of about 54J degrees. Kite. The native bird so called is a species of the genus Milcus. separated by Bechstein from the genus halco of tunt of the forked tail, length of wings, and the abort 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 bay. The common kite or gland (Mitcus vulgar is) preys chiefly on the smaller quadrupeds and birds, young chickens, Slc.; yet the courage of the mother hen renders her more tli. in a match for the robber, and she generally repels iiis.attacks on his favourite prey. The female lays two or.. hitish colour, spotted with pale yellow, and of a roundish form. Tiie term kite is applied in some places, as Devons hire and Cornwall, to the brill (Rhombus vulgar is). Kl'VI-KIVl. The native name of the New Zealand ers for their lingular bird the Jipteryx australis. See Apteryx. [s. 647]