104 ACCIPITRES. 



scientific purposes, and that is peculiarly the case with the 

 kestrel. Two of its popular synonymes are, the " stannel " 

 and the " wind-hover ;" and these, which by the way have 

 nearly the same meaning, are remarkably descriptive of the 

 action of the bird in the air. " Stannel," or " stand-gall," 

 as it is sometimes pronounced, is " stand-gale," and " wind- 

 hover " is " hoverer in the wind," both of which express that 

 wonderful power of poising or anchoring itself over a par- 

 ticular spot, despite the wind, which the kestrel possesses in 

 greater perfection than any other hawk. 



The kestrel is, altogether, an intermediate sort of bird; 

 and though it flies moderately high, and of course generally 

 in the daylight, it has some of the habits of the owls. It is, 

 therefore, more worthy of the attention of those who wish 

 thoroughly to understand the characters of birds than some 

 of the more powerful and daring hawks. In onward flight 

 it has not the dash and rapidity of these; but its power of 

 hovering over the same spot, in defiance of the wind, is much 

 greater; and, when that is necessary, it comes down in beau- 

 tiful style. While it is hovering, the motions of the wings, 

 when they do move, are exceedingly rapid, and the head 

 is bent downwards and turned to one side, so that the eye 

 commands a considerable circle of ground, over the centre of 

 which it is hovering. We have no reason to suppose that 

 the range of its vision is equal to that of the eagle, because 

 it does not fly nearly so high, or command nearly so wide an 

 extent of horizon; but it is so acute that not a mouse can 

 stir within its range, without the kestrel being down upon 

 it, and pouncing it with the most unerring certainty. Mice 

 and unfledged birds, but especially the former, are the chief prey 

 at which it stoops. It swallows them entire, and thus "casts" 

 more than those hawks which pull feathers and tear flesh. 



The kestrel continues its hunting to a later hour than 

 those hawks which feed principally upon birds ; and in the 



