212 



BRITISH BIRDS 



Kestrel, or Windhover. 



Tinnunculus alaudarius. 



Upper plumage, neck, 

 and breast dark lead- 

 grey ; sides, under tail- 

 coverts, and thighs light 

 yellowish red, with longi- 

 tudinal, narrow, dark 

 streaks ; beak blue ; cere 

 and feet yellow ; irides 

 brown ; claws black. 

 Female: upper plumage 

 and tail light red, with 

 transverse spots and bars 

 of dark brown ; lower 

 parts paler than in the 

 male. Length, fifteen 

 inches. 



The kestrel is the best 

 known of the British 

 hawks, not only because 

 it is the most common 

 species, but also because its peculiar preying habits bring it more 

 into notice. It is resident and foimd throughout the United 

 Kingdom, but undoubtedly possesses a partial migration, as ii 

 wholly disappears from some northern districts in the winter, 

 and at the same season becomes more abundant in the southern 

 counties. 



When in quest of prey the kestrel has the habit of stopping 

 suddenly in its rapid flight, and remaining for some time motionless 

 in mid-air, suspended on its rapidly-beating wings, usually at a height 

 of twenty or thirty yards above the surface. Tliis habit, which has 

 won for the species the appropriate name of windhover, is unique 

 among British hawks. It is this peculiar aerial feat which makes 

 the kestrel, when seen on the wing, so familiar a figure to country- 

 people. The instant that the bird pauses in his swift-rushing flight 

 you know that it is a kestrel, although it may be at such a distance 



i natural size. 



