C 87 



NATURE NEAR BRIGHTON. 



"As wild as a hawk" is a proverbial comparison, but 

 kestrels venture into the outskirts of Brighton, and 

 even right over the town. Not long since one was 

 observed hovering above a field which divides part of 

 Brighton from Hove. The bird had hardly settled 

 himself, and obtained his balance, when three or four 

 rooks who were passing deliberately changed their 

 course to attack him. Moving with greater swiftness, 

 the kestrel escaped their angry but clumsy assaults ; 

 still they drove him from the spot, and followed him 

 eastwards over the town till out of sight now wheel- 

 ing round, and now doing their utmost to rise higher 

 and get the advantage of him. Kestrels appear rather 

 numerous in this vicinity. Those who have driven 

 round Brighton and Hove must have noticed the large 

 stables which have been erected for the convenience of 

 gentlemen residing in streets where stabling at the 

 rear of the house is impracticable. Early in the year 

 a kestrel began to haunt one of these large establish- 

 ments, notwithstanding that it was much frequented, 

 carriages driving in and out constantly, hunters taken 

 to and fro, and in despite of the neighbourhood being 

 built over with villas. There was a piece of wa*ce 



