THE KBSPREL 
FALCO TINNUNCULUS 
LocaL names in surrounding counties: ‘‘ Hoverer” 
@ssex): 
Sratus 1N British AvirAUNA: Common resident in 
the south; more or less migratory in the northern 
areas. 
RapiaL DistrRiBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 
Pauw’s: The Kestrel is certainly the commonest rap- 
torial bird in the Metropolitan area, and there are few 
districts indeed in the suburbs where it may not be seen 
at some time of the year or another. It breeds regularly 
in all suitable spotsin the outer portions of our fifteen- 
mile circle, though unfortunately on the decrease in 
many localities. A hovering Kestrel is by no means an 
uncommon sight above such spots as Hyde Park, Kensing- 
ton Gardens, Regent’s Park, Greenwich Park, Clapham 
Common, and Battersea Park; whilst even yet more 
frequently it may be observed further afield at ‘Tooting, 
Wimbledon, Richmond, Kew, Osterley Park, Hanwell, 
Acton, Ealing, Wembley, Sudbury, Finchley, Hampstead, 
Highgate, and Wanstead. Beyond these limits, again, the 
bird becomes of more frequent occurrence, a feature in 
the landscape that the bird-lover may expect to notice 
anywhere and at any time; whilst, on the other hand, 
the observant watcher from the crowded streets of the 
great city itself may from time to time detect the “ Wind- 
hover” poised as if hanging from some invisible thread 
high above the loftiest buildings, or progressing across the 
great hive of toiling humanity below to more congenial 
haunts in the green country beyond. It has bred on the 
steeple of Bow Church in Cheapside, and on the Nelson 
Column in Trafalgar Square. 
The presence of the Kestrel gives a pleasant touch of 
16 
