THE KESTREL. 163 



where they settled ; for as it was not a fast flyer, the 

 Partridges could outstrip it in speed : it then sprung 

 the covey again, and after a few times, the Partridges 

 became so wearied, that the Hawk generally suc- 

 ceeded in securing as many as it pleased. To catch 

 it, a trap or two was set in its regular beat, baited 

 with a small rabbit, or the stuffed skin of one; but a 

 surer mode, particularly in open unenclosed countries, 

 was by preparing what were called bird-bushes, about 

 half a mile from each other. A large stake was 

 driven into the ground, and left standing, about 

 seven feet in height; bushes and boughs were then 

 laid round this post, and kept loosely open, and 

 hollow at the bottom, to the extent of ten or twelve 

 yards round the post, for the Partridges to run into 

 when pursued by the Goshaw T k, which they usually 

 did after being disturbed two or three times. The 

 Goshawk, finding itself disappointed, and unable 

 to follow them with its long wings, amongst the 

 bushes and briers, after flying round them for some 

 turns, was sure to perch upon the top of the post, 

 as the only resting-place at hand, and w r as there 

 as sure to be taken by a trap set there for the 

 purpose. 



The beautiful, and at the same time, very common, 

 little Hawk, called the Kestrel (F. tinnunculus), 

 when in search of its prey, may be seen hovering 

 high in the air in the same spot, with its head to- 

 wards the wind. It has been asserted, by some 

 naturalists, that it lives only upon insects and mice, 

 and will not touch small birds. This, however, is 

 untrue ; the Kestrel will not only kill small birds, 

 but others nearly as large as itself, as the following 



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