A BIRDLOVER'S YEAR 



name for the kestrel, as it has a constant 

 habit of hanging suspended in the air, its 

 wings beating in rapid motion, its fan-like 

 tail outspread, and its head directed to 

 windward. At times it appears, even when 

 viewed through binoculars, to hang with the 

 wings quite motionless. 



Kestrels have an immense breeding range, 

 being found all over the greater part of 

 Europe and Northern Asia, and migrating 

 in winter to the north of China, India, and 

 North-Eastern Africa. Kestrels were found 

 to be of but little use by British falconers, 

 though they are flown by the Arabs. 



The following quaint list of suitable falcons 

 and hawks was preserved in an ancient 

 volume relating to falconry : 



For the emperor, the eagle or vulture. 



For the king, the gerfalcon. 



For the prince, the falcon gentle or tercel 

 gentle. 



For the duke, the rock falcon. 



For the earl, the peregrine falcon. 



For the baron, the bastard falcon. 



For the knight, the sacre and the sacret. 



For the squire, the harrier. 



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