54 FALCONID.E. 



In spring the Kestrel frequently takes possession of the 

 nest of a crow or a magpie, in which to deposit its eggs. 

 Sometimes these birds build in high rocks, or on old towers, 

 and among the ruins of buildings, laying four, and occa- 

 sionally five eggs, about one inch seven lines long, by one 

 inch three lines across, mottled all over with dark reddish 

 brown, and sometimes with blotches of reddish brown upon 

 a pale reddish white ground. The fifth egg has been known 

 to weigh several grains less than either of those previously 

 deposited, and it has also less colouring matter spread over 

 the shell than the others ; both effects probably occasioned 

 by the temporary constitutional exhaustion the bird has 

 sustained in her previous efforts. The young are hatched 

 about the end of April or the beginning of May, and are 

 covered for some time with a yellowish white down. 



Amon*; the numerous interestinof communications on 

 British Birds which have appeared in Mr. Loudon's Maga- 

 zine of Natural History from the pen of Charles Waterton, 

 Esq., and from his own observations, is one on the habits 

 of the Windhover, in which the value of the mice-destroying 

 propensities of this friend to the agriculturist is clearly point- 

 ed out. 



The Kestrel is too common in this country to render 

 necessary an enumeration of the counties in which it has 

 been observed. It is well known in Ireland, where it breeds 

 on rocks and in trees. It is common in Scotland, and on 

 its western and northern islands. From the works of 

 northern Naturalists we learn that the Kestrel inhabits 

 Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, and Siberia ; and 

 from thence southward over the continent of Europe gene- 

 rally, to Spain and Italy. Numbers of those bred in Eu- 

 rope are said to pass over in autumn to the north of A frica. 

 Mr. Strickland observed it at Smyrna in winter. It inhabits 

 Central Africa, according to M. Temminck ; and the Zoologi- 



