FALCOXID.'F.. 



343 



THE KESTREL. 



Falco tinnuncui.us, Linnaeus. 



The Kestrel — also familiarly known as the Wind-hover, from its 

 habit of hanging almost motionless in air, against the wind — is the 

 most abundant of the ISritish birds of prey : and would be still more 

 numerous than it is, but for its irrational persecution by persons 

 who ought to be aware that it feeds principally upon mice, and is, 

 therefore, one of the best friends of the agriculturist. It is generally 

 distributed throughout the United Kingdom ; but in Scotland, where 

 its harmlessness and utility are now recognized by the more intelli- 

 gent gamekeepers, it migrates, as a rule, from the northern districts 

 in winter ; at which season its numbers in England are still further 

 increased by visitors from the Continent. 



