50 BRITISH BIRDS. 
Kestrels’ eggs go through all the types of the eggs of the true Falcons 
figured on Plate 4; and, in addition to these, some eggs have the 
colouring-matter all massed on the larger end of the egg, others have 
a ground of dull yellowish chestnut with irregular blotches of intense 
coffee-brown, while others are brick-red with a few minute dots of deep 
brown. Most eggs of this bird, when newly laid, possess a purplish bloom, 
which, however, soon fades after exposure to the light. The eggs of the 
Kestrel vary from 1:7 to 1:45 inch im length, and from 1°35 to 1:12 inch 
in breadth. The female Kestrel when laying does not always deposit an 
egg each successive day, and sometimes sits upon the first egg as soon as 
laid. The female bird usually incubates the eggs, although the male is 
sometimes found upon them. When the nest is approached, the sitting 
bird silently quits its charge, but sometimes not until the nest is reached, 
especially if the eggs are coming near to maturity. Throughout the whole 
season of incubation the male bird may often be seen high in air above 
his nest, sailing round in circles ; and sometimes he will be joined by his 
mate. 
Although an easily-tamed bird when brought up from the nest, the 
Kestrel wins but little favour from the falconer, wanting, as it does, the 
impetuous dash of other members of this group of birds. Still it has been 
successfully flown at small birds, although the nature of its food in a wild 
state will effectually prevent it from ever figuring largely as a bird of sport. 
The male Kestrel has the head, lower back, and tail slate-grey, the 
latter with a broad black band near the end and a white tip, and the head 
with dusky shaft-streaks; the rest of the upper parts pale chestnut, 
with small, black, triangular spots; the wings are blackish brown, with 
lighter-coloured edges; the breast and belly are pale fawn-colour, with 
dark streaks on the former and dark spots on the latter; the thighs and 
under tail-coverts are rufous fawn-colour without spots, and the under 
surface of the tail is greyish white. Beak blue; cere and orbits yellow ; 
irides dark brown; legs and toes yellow; claws black. 'The female has 
the whole upper surface reddish brown, barred transversely with bluish 
black ; the wings are darker than in the male, and the whole underparts 
are paler. Young males are like the female, but a little paler perhaps, 
until after the first winter, when they begin to assume the adult plumage, 
the blue head being the last to be obtamed. Very old females some- 
times assume the plumage of the male. 
