222 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



thing after the manner of a skylark, and from 

 which it is at times termed the windhover. Its 

 size is much the same as the sparrow hawk, viz., 

 from thirteen to fifteen inches in length. The 

 male and the female are very similar as regards 

 their proportions. In the male kestrel the head, 

 neck, lower part of the back, and tail, are of a 

 lead-coloured gray, the tail being barred with a 

 broad black band tipped with white. The upper 

 part of the back is of a light chestnut colour with 

 small black spots. 



The plumage of the female bird is entirely of a 

 reddish-brown with black bars ; the tail, which is 

 similar in colour and markings, is tipped with a 

 broad black band. 



It has never been my good fortune to see a 

 kite in this country. For many years past this 

 bird has been getting more and more scarce, and 

 is now well-nigh exterminated. In colour it much 

 resembles the kestrel in size it measures some 

 two feet. On my first arrival in India, I remem- 

 ber that the number of kites which clustered round 

 the vessel attracted my attention infinitely more 

 than any of the other novelties which greeted me 

 on first going on deck in the morning. I little 

 thought how much I was destined to see of these 

 birds during my sojourn in that country, or how 

 useful they are in devouring the offal and refuse 

 which, but for them, would only engender disease 

 by rapidly becoming putrid. Were it not for the 

 kites, jackals, and pariah dogs, India would be a 



