KESTREL. 59 



He returned to the charge again and again. I ascertained 

 it beyond a doubt, as I afterwards shot him." 



In spring the Kestrel frequently takes possession of the 

 nest of a crow or a magpie, in which to deposit its eggs. 

 Sometimes these birds build in high rocks, or on old 

 towers, and among the ruins of buildings, laying four, and 

 occasionally five eggs, about one inch seven lines long, by 

 one inch three lines across, mottled all over with dark 

 reddish brown, and sometimes with blotches of reddish 

 brown upon a pale reddish white ground. The fifth egg 

 has been known to weigh several grains less than either of 

 those previously deposited, and it has also less colouring 

 matter spread over the shell than the others ; both effects 

 probably occasioned by the constitutional exhaustion the 

 bird has sustained in her previous efforts. The young 

 are hatched about the end of April or the beginning of 

 May, and are covered for some time with a yellowish 

 white down. 



Among the numerous interesting communications on 

 British Birds which have appeared in Mr. London's Maga- 

 zine of Natural History from the pen of Charles Waterton, 

 Esq., and from his own observations, is one on the habits 

 of the Windhover, in which the value of the mice-destroy- 

 ing propensities of this friend to the agriculturist is clearly 

 pointed out. 



The Kestrel is too common in this country to render 

 necessary an enumeration of the counties in which it has 

 been observed. It is well known in Ireland, where it 

 breeds on rocks and in trees. It is common in Scotland, 

 and on its western and northern islands. From the works 

 of northern Naturalists we learn that the Kestrel inhabits 

 Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, and Siberia; and 

 from thence southward over the continent of Europe gene- 



