The Kestrel 



IF a large bird is seen hovering almost 

 motionless in the air with outspread 

 wings and tail, it is almost certain to be a 

 Kestrel looking for its prey. It is one of 

 the farmer's best friends. Gamekeepers used 

 to think that it was a great enemy of their 

 young pheasants, partridges and grouse, and 

 trapped and shot the bird in the most merci- 

 less manner. Now they know better and 

 many of them spare its life. 



This species feeds upon mice, voles, 

 frogs, and beetles, but occasionally an in- 

 dividual bird will develop the bad habit 

 of killing and eating chicks. 



In many parts of the country the Kestrel 

 is known as the " Windhover/' This is a 

 very good common name, because it describes 

 so well the bird's peculiar habit of hanging 

 in the air when scanning the ground below 

 for its prey. 



You can frequently see the Kestrel from 



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