KESTREL. 195 



being four-twelfths across, after which it gradually con- 

 tracts to a diameter of tliree-twelfths. At the distance 

 of about two and a half inches from its dilated extre- 

 mity are the ccecd, which in their highest development 

 are of a somewhat conical form, adherent to the intes- 

 tine, three-twelfths of an inch in length. The length 

 of the intestine is twenty-four inches. The liver is of 

 two nearly equal undivided lobes ; the gall-bladder less 

 distinct than in the merlin. 



The eyes are large ; the eyelids furnished with short 

 bristles on the margin, the upper bare, with the lachry- 

 mal bone prominent ; the nostrils in the fore part of the 

 cere, round ; the aperture of the ear round and rather 

 large. 



The tarsi, which are anteriorly feathered more than 

 a third down, are rather short, slender, covered all 

 round with angular scales, of which the anterior are 

 larger, but none scutelliform, excepting four over the 

 joint. The toes are rather slender, of moderate length, 

 scutellate above, the third and fourth connected at the 

 base by a very short web ; the first toe short, the se- 

 cond and fourth of the same length, the third consider- 

 ably longer. On the first toe are eight, on the second 

 nine, on the third sixteen, on the fourth eleven, scu- 

 tella. 



The plumage of the upper parts is rather compact, 

 of the lower softer and blended. The feathers at the 

 base of the cere, and between it and the eye, are bristle- 

 tipped, but distantly barbed in the greater part of their 

 extent. The feathers of the head are short, ovate, and 

 pointed ; those of the neck more elongated and round- 

 ed ; of the back broadly oblong and rounded, as are 



