1691 J. Ray S. & E. Country Words in (ed. 2) 94 A Crotch-tail, a Kite; Milvus caudâ forcipatâ.
1865 July 41 ‘Crutch-tail’ formerly applied to a Kite.
1885 C. Swainson 137 From its forked tail this bird [the Kite] has received the names of Fork tail, Crotch tail (Essex).