BRITISH BIRDS. 19 



colour, streaked and spotted with black ; thighs 

 plain ; rump and upper coverts lead blue, and the 

 tail feathers fine blue grey, with black shafts ; 

 towards the end is a broad black bar both on the 

 upper part and under sides ; the tips are white : 

 legs yellow, claws black. 



The Kestrel is widely diffused throughout Europe, 

 and is found in the more temperate parts of North 

 America : it is a handsome bird ; with an acute 

 sight, and easy graceful flight ; it breeds in the 

 hollows of trees, and in the holes of rocks, towers, 

 and ruined buildings ; lays four or five pale reddish 

 eggs ; feeds on small birds, field mice, and reptiles ; 

 after securing its prey, it plucks the feathers very 

 dexterously from birds, but swallows mice entire, 

 and discharges the hair, in the form of round balls, 

 by its mouth. This bird is frequently seen hover- 

 ing in the air, and fanning with its wings, by a 

 gentle motion, or wheeling slowly round, at the 

 same time watching for its prey, on which it shoots 

 like an arrow. It was formerly used in Great Bri- 

 tain for catching small birds and young Partridges. 



