14 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



forehead and streak above the eye yellowish white ; 

 the ear- coverts grey and brown. The young male 

 birds much resemble the female above described, but 

 have no grey in the centre of the feathers on the 

 upper parts, these being dark brown, bordered with 

 rufous." 



As to the eggs, I have only to make the same 

 remark which I have made with regard to those of 

 the Hobby. 



KESTREL, Falco Tinnunculus. The Kestrel is the 

 commonest hawk in these parts, and is still very 

 numerous, in spite of the persecution of the game- 

 keepers, in whose larder it is constantly to be found, 

 though perhaps it does not do them so much mis- 

 chief as they suppose : it does, however, undoubtedly 

 do some mischief, and is fully aware that young par- 

 tridges and pheasants are good eating. 



This hawk is very docile, and easily tamed, even 

 when taken in full maturity. I had one lately which 

 I shot in December, 18G3 : as it was only slightly 

 wounded in the wing, I brought it home alive, and 

 kept it till the autumn of 1867 : it very soon became 

 quite tame, and would take food from the hand. It 

 would eat raw meat, but much preferred birds and 

 mice certainly birds, for choice, rather than any- 

 thing else. The size of the bird* seemed to be no 



* Has been known to kill and eat a Hooded Crow. 

 ' Zoologist' for 1868 (S. S. p. 1067). 



