FALCONID^E. 2] 



tions at least, seldom or never builds in trees ; the nest, of 

 sticks or stalks of heather, loosely and coarsely laid 'toge- 

 ther, without any lining, contains from three to five eggs of 

 a reddish-brown colour, spotted with a deeper tint. 



THE RED, OR ORANGE-LEGGED FALCON. Falco rufpes. 

 This is another of those birds which is seldom seen in 

 Britain ; but it is better known in^the Tyrol and Switzer- 

 land, and is common in Russia. Like some other Falcons, 

 it takes possession of the nest of the Crow, Rook, or Mag- 

 pie, in preference to building a nest for itself, and here it 

 deposits four or five eggs, most nearly resembling those of 

 the Kestrel, but being for the most part considerably less ; 

 occasionally however the eggs of the Red-legged Falcon 

 much resemble eggs of the Red Grouse. 



THE KESTREL. Falco tmnunculus, The Kestrel is some- 

 times named the Windhover, from its habit of poising itself 

 in the air while, with quivering wings and expanded tail, it 

 surveys the ground beneath, in search of prey. It is the 

 most common of all our Raptorial birds, and, according to 

 Mr. Yarrell, is extensively distributed over the continents of 

 Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Kestrel breeds in spires and 

 towers of churches, also in woods, forests, and plantations, 

 selecting the nest of a Crow or Magpie for the purpose of 



