142 REST II EL. 



quivering of the wings, and survey the thick- 

 bushy or grassy cover beneath, descending gra- 

 dually as their prey is seen, and at last poun- 

 cing on it. Small birds may be occasionally 

 taken in the same mannner, when squatted 

 in cover,* but we never recollect of seeing the 

 Kestrel openly pursue or give chase to any pney 

 of this description. During the breeding season, 

 in muirland localities, the sustenance is almost 

 completely changed ; the smalt common lizard 

 (Lacerla agilis) forms the greater part of it, and 

 being extremely abundant, serves the parents, 

 and is also carried to the nests. The larger 

 beetles are also fed on, and we have most fre- 

 quently observed in their stomachs the remains 

 of the larger Carabi, and Geotrupes, a fact cor- 

 roborated by the interesting anecdote recorded 

 by Mr Selby, and which shews still more strongly 

 the. alliance to some of the Elani, and more 

 decidedly insectivorous species. " In summer, 

 the cock-chafer supplies to this species an 

 objVct of pursuit and food, and the following 

 curious account is given from an eye-witness 

 of the fact: * I had,' says he, < the pleasure 

 this summer, in seeing the Kestrel engaged 

 in an occupation entirely new to me, hawk- 

 ing after cock-chafers late - in the evening. 



* Mr Selby mentions having taken a Kestrel in a trap 

 baited with a bird. Vol. i. p. 68. 





