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BRITISH BIRDS 



The Kestrel. 



This is one of the least of our native Hawks, and a 

 very pretty and interesting bird. It is often named the 

 Windhover, from its habit of soaring in a motionless way 

 in the teeth of the wind ; in some places it is known as 

 the Stonegall, and in others as the Stannel Hawk. 



The male is 13 inches long, or thereabouts, and 

 the female a little more. The colouring of both sexes is 

 rich chestnut-brown above and grey to white below, 

 streaked and spotted regularly with black. The tail is 



THE KESTREL. 



lead-colour with white tips, above which is a broad band 

 of black. The primaries are dark greyish-brown with 

 round black spots on the inner webs. The feet are 

 yellowish-grey. 



It is very easily tamed and will breed in confinement, 

 nesting on the ground under some slight cover In its 

 wild state, the nest is often found near the sea shore, but 

 sometimes it is placed in a tree, or in a hole in a bank, 

 or on a ruined building or wall ; in fact, in any place 

 where the bird fancies it will be safe. 



