66 ORNITHOLOGICAL RAMBLES. 



which vary considerably in the different genera. 

 Thus, the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) , a true fal- 

 con — as indicated by the prominent tooth in the 

 upper mandible and the dark iris — is more nearly 

 allied in its habits and the nature of its prey to 

 the buzzards and harriers (BiUeo, Circus, &c.), 

 than to its congener, the peregrine ; while the 

 sparrowhawk {Acciiyiter), which in many parti- 

 culars departs from the type of the true falcon — 

 such as in having the upper mandible furnished 

 with a smooth festoon instead of a tooth, in the 

 iris being of a bright yellow, the tarsi slender and 

 elongated, and the wings short and rounded — yet 

 approaches the peregrine in its decided predilec- 

 tion for feathered prey, as well as in the general 

 fearlessness of its character: but although pre- 

 senting so many points of difference in external 

 aspect and structure, yet in one important respect 

 these two birds agree ; in both, the toes are ex- 

 ceedingly long, and admirably adapted for grasp- 

 ing and penetrating the dense plumage of birds ; 

 while the buzzards and harriers, which, in com- 

 mon with the kestrel, prey chiefly on quadrupeds, 

 reptiles, and beetles, and requke rather strength 

 than elongation of the prehensile organs, are all 

 furnished with comparatively short and stout toes. 

 The sparrowhawk is generally diffused through- 

 out Sussex, but is much more numerous during 



