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FALCO TINNUNCULUS. 



THE KESTREL. 



The wings, when closed, about two inches shorter 

 than the tail; the length from thirteen and a half to 

 fifteen inches. Of the male, the head, hind-neck, rump 

 and tail, ash-grey, the latter with a subterminal band 

 of brownish-black ; the back pale red, with dark gutti- 

 form spots ; the breast and sides light yellowish-red, 

 with longitudinal linear-lanceolate dark streaks. Of 

 the female, the whole upper parts and tail light red, 

 with transverse spots and bars of dark brown, the lower 

 parts paler, the breast and sides with oblong dark 

 markings. The young similar to the female, but with 

 the spots larger. 



Male. — The Kestrel, which is one of the most com- 

 mon, as well as most elegant, of our falcons, is of a 

 structm'e that unites lightness with strength, and may 

 be taken as an example of the most characteristic form 

 of a rapacious bird destined to prey upon animals much 

 smaller than itself. The body is ovate, rather deeper 

 than broad anteriorly ; the neck rather short and strong ; 

 the head broad and flattened above. The bill is short, 

 strong, and comparatively broad ; the upper mandible 

 with its dorsal line curved from the base, so as to form 

 nearly the third of a circle, its sides convex, its edges 

 sharp anteriorly, the dentiform process and medial fes- 

 toon very distinct, the tip at its extremity perpendicu- 



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