CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 89 



these birds hunting over the marshes in Norfolk while 

 the sun was up, and during dull weather they all seem 

 out in search of food by 3 p.m. 



They confine themselves entirely to the ground, 

 breeding amongst the heather on the open moors of 

 Scotland, and in the southern counties frequenting the 

 rush marshes and other waste lands. 



On their first arrival in the autumn they are not 

 unfrequently flushed from turnip fields, occasionally 

 being found in such situations in considerable numbers. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in the 

 Hickling Marshes, in Norfolk, in December, 1871. 



KESTREL. 



Case 48. 



This is by far the most numerous of the Hawk tribe in 

 Great Britain. Though not generally so regarded, 

 it is one of our most useful birds, being a decided 

 ally both to the farmer and game preserver. I 

 have been so frequently assured that Kestrels have 

 been detected preying upon young game, that I sup- 

 pose some misguided old bird must, when greatly 

 pressed by the cares of providing for a hungry brood, 

 have snatched some precocious young pheasant from 

 the neighbourhood of the coops, and, like many another 

 poor bungling thief, been caught at the first attempt, 

 while the greater rogues go free. The rats alone that 

 these birds destroy while procuring food for their 

 young would commit ten times more damage in one 

 year than the poor inoffensive Kestrels could possibly 

 effect in their whole lives. 



This bird breeds in a variety of situations. In the 



