ts aol 
is one occasion, and one only, when the Kestrel should be killed without mercy. It is when 
an old bird, having a brood at home to bring up, finds out the coops where a number of 
pheasants or partridges are being reared. Having once discovered with what ease she can 
take any of the tiny, half-tame, wholly foolish little creatures, she will return again and again 
til she has destroyed the whole lot. Let that Kestrel be killed without an hour’s delay, 
but let not that be made an excuse for killing in future every individual of a species which 
does so much good. 
“All animals resemble human beings in one respect, namely, in their proneness to contract 
evil habits. 
“The unfortunate bird that had taken to paying visits to the coops has paid for its 
iniquities with its life; but it does not follow that every other Kestrel need do the same. 
As an instance in point the following fact may be mentioned :— 
“In 1883 about three hundred pheasants were being reared by a keeper in a field partly 
surrounded by a wood of ancient trees of considerable extent. In this wood were the nests 
of no iess than six pairs of Kestrels, none of which was more than three-quarters of a mile 
from the coops. ‘The keeper had been strictly ordered not to molest the Kestrels in any 
way, and ere long he came with a piteous tale as to the birds which had been carried off 
before his very eyes by those hawks. 
“He was at once ordered to conceal himself with his gun, close to the coops, and to 
shoot any hawk he found in the act of skimming down to them. 
“Ere the day was out he triumphantly produced both the male and female of a pair 
of Kestrels which he had shot in the very act of taking his birds, and wanted to know ‘what 
we had to say to that,’ and if we still believed that ‘Kestrels did no harm?’ ‘Very well,’ 
we said, ‘keep your gun handy, and shoot any hawk you can catch within range of your 
crops ; but let them come to you—do not go to them.’ 
‘‘ Not another Kestrel was killed that year, though the other five pairs all reared their broods, 
and their nests were no further off than that of the pair which fell into bad habits, and died in 
consequence. 
“Tet the keeper use his discretion, then; and while he will do well to kill any individual 
Kestrel that does harm to him, he should be restrained from killing down too closely such 
useful birds.” 
[For permission to copy this lengthy extract, we are much obliged to the publishers, 
Messrs. Longmans, Green, & Co.] 
The Kestrel seldom, if ever, builds a nest, but either makes use of the former dwelling of a 
Crow, Magpie, or Wood Pigeon, or else lays its eggs ina hole in the cliff, quarry, or chalk-pit, 
or a church tower or hollow tree. (Howard Saunders.) 
From the top of a high cliff we may often look down on the flight of this bird, and 
recognize it by its red back. 
The eggs are thickly mottled with rich reddish brown. ‘The usual note is a loud “ klee, 
klee, klee, klee.” 
The late Rev. C. A. Johns, author of ‘ British Birds in their Haunts” (S.P.C.K.), wrote 
that he had often noticed that Chaffinches and other small birds showed no dread of a tame 
Kestrel in a garden, but fearlessly perched in the same tree with it. 
Educational Series.—No. 1.—OWLS. No. 2,—WOODPECKERS. No. 3._STARLING. No. 4.— 
SWALLOWS. No. 5.—KINGFISHER. No. 6.—OSPREY. No. 7.—DIPPERS. No. 8.—NIGHTJAR. 
No. 9.—TITMICE. No. 10.—KESTREL. No. 11.—PLOVERS. 
Others in course of preparation. 
Copies of the ahove may be obtained from the Society’s Publishing Department. Know/ledje Office, 
326, High Holhorn, W.C., or from the Hon. See., Mrs. F. E. Lemon, Hillcrest, Redhill, on the following 
terms :—Post free: three copies of any one number of the Series, 1d ; one dozen 3d.; 100, Is fd. 
Assorted packets, one copy of any six numbers, 2d; one copy of any twelve, or two copies of any six 
numbers, 4d.; or 50 assorted numbers, 1s. Special terms for larger quantities to County Councils, the 
Constabulary and Schools. 
The Spee s Publishing Office, Rnowledie, 326, Gch Holo monde W.C. 1896. 
