134 THE KESTREL. 



unenclosed countries, was by preparing what were called bird- 

 bushes, about half a mile from each other. A large stake 

 was driven into the ground and left standing, about seven 

 feet in height ; bushes and boughs were then laid round this 

 post and kept loosely open, and hollow at the bottom., to the 

 extent often or twelve yards round the post, for the Partridges 

 to run into when pursued by the Goshawk, which they usually 

 did after being disturbed two or three times. The Goshawk, 

 finding itself disappointed, and unable to follow them with 

 its long wings amongst the bushes and briars, after flying 

 round them for some turns, was sure to perch upon the top 

 of the post, as the only resting-place at hand, and was there 

 as sure to be taken by a trap set there for the purpose. 



The beautiful, and at the same time very common, little 

 Hawk, called the Kestrel (F. tinnunculus), when in search 

 of its prey, may be seen hovering high in the air in the 

 same spot, with its head towards the wind. It has been 

 asserted by some naturalists that it lives only upon insects 

 and mice, and will not touch small birds. This, however, 

 is untrue ; the Kestrel will not only kill small birds, but 

 others nearly as large as itself, as the following fact will 

 prove. One of them was observed to seize a young Black- 

 bird just able to fly, which it was in the act of carrying off 

 in its talons. The old Blackbird gave chase with loud cries, 

 and apparent determination to rescue her young one, when 

 the Kestrel, having allowed her to approach unmolested, in 

 an instant dropped the young bird, and as instantaneously 

 caught up the screaming parent, and carried her clear away. 

 The habit of hawking on the wing has-been further proved 

 by its having been seen on summer evenings, darting 

 amongst a swarm of cockchafers, seizing one in each claw, 

 and eating them on the wing, and then again darting amongst 

 them. 



That birds possibly may by their swifter flight often 

 escape, is not unlikely ; but exclusive of the above instances, 

 bird-catchers know to their cost, while patiently watching 

 their nets, how often the Kestrel, hovering over the field, 

 will pounce down and destroy their most valuable call-birds - f 



