2 2 CLARKE : THE BIRDS OF YORKSHIRE. 



and village, every ruin, swarms with them ; I believe I am not at 

 all beyond the mark in saying that I have seen three or four 

 hundred on the wing at the same moment on more than one 

 occasion. I think the Lesser Kestrel is somewhat the most 

 numerous species of the two." It nests in holes in buildings 

 (inhabited or otherwise), trees and rocks, and also in church- 

 steeples ; is a late breeder, some difficulty being experienced in 

 obtaining a complete clutch of eggs by the i6th of May. It also 

 breeds in Styria, Sardinia, Greece, the southern part of Turkey, 

 and the Crimea, where it was observed by Major Irby nesting in 

 river banks. 



In France it has been seen in several parts of the country, 

 and has occurred twice in Northern Germany ; is accidental 

 during the migration in Dalmatia, Italy and Sicily, and is rare and 

 accidental in Savoy. In Hehgoland it has been obtained by Mr. 

 Gatke. 



It feeds on beetles, grasshoppers, and sometimes on small 

 lizards, in the pursuit of which it hovers like the common 

 species. 



"We would remark that the white claw is not always a good 

 character whereby to distinguish this species ; for Dresser shot a 

 fine male at Cilli in Styria, which had the claws "light blue," as 

 noted at the time of death. Still, most examples have white claws; 

 and Dr. Tristram tells us that the Arabs distinguish between the 

 two species by means of the claws." 



ASTUR PALUMBARIUS (L.) 

 Goshawk. 



A rare spring and autumn visitant. 



This fine Hawk, formerly one of the falconer's first favourites, 

 has occurred at intervals in the county, generally in the vicinity of 

 the coast, when on the spring and autumn passage. There are, 



Trans. Y.N.U., 1878. Series B 



