IX. KESTEEL. 



(Falco tinnunculus.} 



THE Kestrel or " Windhover," as it is sometimes called, is common 

 here, but not in such numbers congregated together as I have seen 

 in some parts of Europe. Many of them may be seen in Athens 

 hovering over the Parthenon. I saw great numbers flying over 

 the heights above Cherbourg, near the church of Notre Dame de 

 Secours. They had evidently been feeding on Privit Hawk 

 moths, the debris of whose wings was lying on the ground. 

 There is a colony of them also in London. When we were on 

 the top of St Paul's one summer morning waiting to see the sun 

 rise, some Kestrels woke up and began flying about at the first 

 light of dawn, long before either the Pigeons or Sparrows bestirred 

 themselves. 



The young Kestrels in the picture were taken alive from the 

 nest and drawn from life. The nest, which was on the top of a 

 rock on the island, was also drawn from nature on the spot. 

 The young had still some down on them, though nearly fledged. 



The Merlin is also to be seen here, but not so often as the 

 Kestrel. 



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