330 FALCO TINNUNCULUS. 



The Kestrel, when searching for food, is easily distinguish- 

 able by its habit of hovering over the fields, — a habit which, 

 although sometimes observed in other species, is in it so re- 

 markable as to attract the notice of the least observant, and to 

 have procured for it the name of Windhover. There it comes, 

 advancing briskly against the breeze, at the height of about 

 thirty feet, its wings in rapid motion, its head drawn close be- 

 tween its shoulders, its tail slightly spread in a horizontal di- 

 rection, and its feet concealed among the plumage. Now it 

 sails or glides a few yards, as if on motionless wings, curves 

 upwards some feet, and stops short, supporting itself by rapid 

 movements of its pinions, and expanding its tail. In a few 

 seconds it flies forwards, flapping its wings, shoots off to a side, 

 and sails, then rises a little, and fixes itself in the air. On 

 such occasions it is searching the ground beneath for mice and 

 small birds, feeding or reposing among the grass. Having 

 discovered nothing, it proceeds a short way, and again hovers. 

 In a few seconds it wheels round, flies right down the wind 

 at a rapid rate, to the distance of some hundred yards, brings 

 up, and hovers. Still nothing results, and again it glides away, 

 bearing up at intervals, fixing itself for some seconds in the air, 

 and then shooting along. When about to hover, it rises a few 

 feet in a gentle curve, faces the wind, spreads its tail, moves 

 its wings rapidly, and thus balancing itself, keenly surveys the 

 ground beneath. The range of the tips of the wings at this time 

 is apparently about six or eight inches, but sometimes for a few 

 seconds these organs seem almost, if not entirely, motionless. 

 The bird has once more suddenly drawn up, and is examining 

 the grass with more determinate attention. It slowly descends, 

 fixes itself for a moment, inclines a little to one side, hovers so 

 long that you may advance much nearer, but at length closing 

 its wings and tail, falls like a stone, suddenly expands its wings 

 and tail just as it touches the ground, clutches its prey, and 

 ascending obliquely flies off with a rapid and direct flight. 



The food of this species consists chiefly of mice, Mus sylvati- 

 cus, Mus domesticus, Arvicola agrestis, and shrews, especially 

 Sorex araneus. But it preys on many other animals, and in the 

 numerous individuals which I have opened, I have found re- 



