130 SOME SUGGESTIONS FOB BIRD STtDT. 



to wind. The plumage differs in the two sexes. In the 

 male the back is light reddish with small black markings ; 

 the other upper parts bluish grey. The under parts buff 

 with black markings, tending lengthwise. The wings are 

 relatively long. The cere and feet are yellow. Length 

 about 13 inches. The female is darker above with black 

 transverse bars. The tail has several black bars, the last 

 of which is broader than the others. Length about 15 

 inches. 



The Kestrel does not build a nest, usually depositing its 

 eggs about cliffs, hollow trees, or in the discarded nest of 

 other birds such as the Crow or Wood Pigeon. The eggs 

 are about 1 J to 1^ inches in length, often so deeply covered 

 with reddish brown as to conceal the pale ground colour 

 below. 



The feeding habits of the Kestrel have been the subject 

 of much controversy, but there is now no doubt but that 

 as far as game and poultry are concerned the Kestrel is 

 practically harmless. It feeds largely upon mice, young 

 rats, beetles, and other insects, and is therefore a bird of 

 distinctly useful type, which should on this account, if on 

 no other, be left unmolested (Fig. 40). 



