124 BIRDS' NESTS. 



KESTRIL. Falco Tinnunculus: 



PLATE V. FIG. 1. 



IN mountainous districts, the Kestril usually 

 places its nest on cliffs or on craggy banks, 

 scraping a slight cavity for its eggs. On the 

 coast, it resorts to rocks ; or in the interior, to 

 ruined castles or other buildings, and some- 

 times to towers or steeples. In flat, woody 

 districts, it often takes possession of the deserted 

 nest of a crow or magpie ; but appears to 

 prefer rocks whenever they are to be met with. 

 The eggs, which vary from three to five, and 

 are nearly as broad as they are long, are of a 

 pale reddish white colour, confusedly dotted or 

 blotched all over with dull brownish red, and 

 often so closely that the ground colour of the 

 egg is entirely concealed. Young Kestrils taken 

 from the nest may easily be reared, and, if duly 

 fed, will habitually return to the place where 

 they have been brought up, for a long time after 

 they have acquired the power of escaping.* 



* See the Author's "Pet Animals." (S. P. O.K.) 



