56 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



ARGENTINE KESTREL 



Tinnunculus cinnamominus 



Above reddish cinnamon with irregular black cross bands on the 

 back ; head bluish grey ; front and sides of head white ; nape and 

 stripes on the sides of the neck black ; wings bluish grey with black 

 central spots ; tail cinnamon red with broad black band and white 

 tip ; beneath white with buff tinge, and irregular oval black spots ; 

 length 10.5, wing 7.7 inches. Female similar but larger. 



THE habits of this little Falcon closely resemble 

 those of Falco fusco-c&mlescens, and like that bird 

 it is common in Patagonia and migrates north in 

 winter. Many individuals, however, do not migrate, 

 as I found when residing at the Rio Negro, where 

 some pairs remained at the breeding-place all the 

 year* Many pairs are also found resident and breeding 

 in other parts of the Argentine country, but it is 

 common only in Patagonia* 



It nests in holes in cliffs and also on trees, and 

 sometimes builds its own nest on the large nest of 

 a Dendrocolaptine bird or of a Parrakeet* It lays 

 four eggs, large for the size of the bird, oval in shape, 

 and white, thickly blotched with dull red* 



The preying habits of the Little Kestrel are similar 

 to those of the Orange-chested Hobby ; it haunts 

 farmhouses and plantations, and spends a great 

 deal of time perched on some elevation watching 

 for its prey, and making sudden dashes to capture 

 it by surprise* But though not bold when seeking 

 its food, it frequently makes violent unprovoked 

 attacks on species very much larger than itself, either 



