THE KESTREL HAWK. 155 



THE KESTREL HAWK. 



Another of the hawks, one of the long-winged species 

 (the sparrow-hawk being short-winged), of the same order 

 and family, is the KESTREL or WINDHOVER (Falco tinnuncu- 

 lus), often seen hovering over the meadow or marsh, its 

 head being always pointed to the wind. It is a very 

 harmless bird, preying chiefly on field-mice, frogs, beetles, 

 and the like. Of course, it will occasionally take a small 

 bird, as all hawks will when pressed by hunger, but this 

 exception only proves the rule. It is well known that 

 small birds will take no notice of the kestrel, but will con- 



THE KESTREL HAWK. 



tinue their songs, proving that they have no fear or con- 

 sider themselves in any danger. Seebohm says : " Its 

 presence is readily detected as it hovers in the air 



1 As if let down from the heaven then 

 By a viewless silken thread ; ' 



now advancing towards you, flying upward some thirty feet 

 above the earth, its wings flapping hurriedly or held per- 

 fectly motionless ; now it is directly above you ; you see its 

 broad head turning restlessly from side to side; the wings 

 seem in a perpetual quiver, and the broad tail is expanded 

 to its fullest extent." 



