THE SPARROWHAWK 89 



249. a Burgundian skellum. See Scott's Novel, Quentin 

 Durward, Chap. II : ' The rascally schelm shot my bird with an 

 arrow,' The Scots form of 'schelm' (= rascal) is 'skellum' 

 used by Burns in his tale of Tarn o' Shanter. 



EXERCISES 



1. Distinguish between a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel in 

 respect (1) of structure, (2) of colour and markings, (3) of 

 flight, and (4) of disposition and habits. 



2. Which is the more useful bird ? When was the Sparrow- 

 hawk more highly prized than the Kestrel ? and Why ? 



3. Sketch the story of Ser Federigo and the Falcon, as told by 

 Longfellow (following Boccacio). 



KING KESTREL 

 A BALLAD OF THE BIRDS 



OP all birds that do fare through the fields of the air, 

 And grace to the heavens that do bring, 



There is none that will dare with the kestrel compare, 

 For the kestrel the kestrel's a king. 



The swan forges high with a jubilant cry, 

 The heron takes the lift 1 with a swing; 



The whaup 2 , and the snipe, and the plover can pipe, 

 But the kestrel the kestrel's a king. 



From the breast of the cloud, with his minstrelsy loud, 

 10 The lark of a morning can sing ; 



Or the blackbird and thrush from the heart of a bush, 

 But the kestrel the kestrel's a king. 



1 sku. 2 curlew. 



