140 THE FALCONS 



colour is more evenly distributed over the surface than in the case of the kestrel, 

 the ground being generally quite hidden, and the mottling of red-brown or chocolate- 

 red being uniformly distributed. Some eggs are very dark purplish-brown, with 

 but little red showing. Average size of 106 eggs, 1*55 x 1'23 in. [39'3 x 31 - 2 mm.]. 

 Incubation is performed by both sexes (T. A. Metcalfe). Faber estimates the 

 period at twenty days, but this appears to be improbable, and it is more likely to 

 last for four weeks. In the southern part of its British range the eggs may be 

 found from about the second week in May onward, sometimes not till towards the 

 end of the month ; but Saxby says that in the Shetlands eggs may be found from 

 mid-April to mid-May. In Iceland they are laid about the end of May or early 

 in June. Only a single brood is reared during the season, but second layings may 

 be met with after the first has been taken. [F. c. B. J.] 



5. Food. Larks, pipits, linnets, twites and other finches, blue tit and 

 buntings, thrushes, dunlin, and other small waders, and large moths, especially the 

 " eggers." The young are fed by the female on small birds finches, larks, and 

 thrushes, [w. p. p.] 



KESTREL [Fdlco tinnunculus Linnaeus. Red-hawk, windhover, stand-hawk, 

 fanner, stannel ; crasset-hawk (Devon) ; maalin (Shetlands). French, 

 cresserelle ; German, Turmfalke ; Italian, cernicalo]. 



i. Description. The kestrel may always be distinguished by the chestnut 

 colour of the upper parts and the vinous fawn colour of the under parts. The 

 sexes differ in coloration, and there is no seasonal change of coloration. The male 

 has the head, rump and tail slate-grey, the latter tipped white and with a sub- 

 terminal bar of black ; the mantle and wing-coverts are of a mahogany-red colour 

 relieved by spots of black which increase in size in the scapulars and inner 

 secondaries. The throat is white, the rest of the under parts vinous fawn striated 

 in the chest with black, and spotted with black on the flanks. Lower abdomen 

 and Under tail-coverts white. Cere, a space round the eye, and legs chrome-yellow, 

 iris dark brown. (PI. 148.) Length 12 in. [305*0 mm.]. The female has the crown 

 and neck mahogany-red, Like the back, and transversely barred with black ; the tail 

 is similarly red, closely barred with black ; the under parts as in the male, but 

 paler. Very old females tend to resemble the male. Length 12 in. [305'0 mm.]. 

 Immature birds resemble the female, but are somewhat paler. Young in down 

 white, [w. P. P.] 



