58 FALCONUXffi. 



were found shrimp-like creatures, quite transparent;" — probably 

 the larvse of dragon-flies {IAbellula), which it was presumed could 

 only be obtained at, or near, the surface of the water. It was 

 remarked of a tame kestrel kept by him, that when birds or mice 

 were given to it, the eyes were always picked out at the com- 

 mencement of the repast. One in the possession of my corres- 

 pondent in Wexford, always refused thrushes, but accepted larks, 

 chaffinches, and field-mice. Once, when this bird was set at 

 liberty, it flew into a high tree containing numbers of goldfinches 

 and green-linnets, all of which kept their places regardless of its 

 presence. Prom this circumstance, it may perhaps be fairly in- 

 ferred that the kestrels of that neighbourhood are not much given 

 to preying upon small birds.' 35 ' I have remarked the kestrel 

 abroad at a very early hour in the winter morning ; and 

 Mr. Poole notes his having " observed one on the morning 

 of the 11th of November, examining a stubble field before 7 

 o' clock, when there seemed little enough of light for an owl to 

 plunder by." 



kestrel, but both my informants are good ornithologists, and know the difference 

 between the species well. The following occurrence, in which the kestrel is made 

 the hero, is also less in unison with the general character of this species than with 

 that of its congener. In November, 1845, as Mr. J. O'Neil Higginson was in a 

 coach proceeding from Belfast to Antrim, a skylark pursued by a kestrel flew into 

 the coach (the window being open) when near Templepatrick, and alighted at his 

 back. Feeling confident that it had taken refuge from some bird of prey, he gently 

 laid hold of, and carried the lark for some distance, until certain that it would be 

 beyond the reach of its pursuer, when it was given liberty. A friend of Mr. Hig- 

 ginson's travelling outside the coach, observed the hawk to sweep close past the 

 vehicle, but did not perceive the lark. 



* Dr. Wilde, when in the desert, between the pyramids of Gaza and Dashoor, at 

 the end of January, remarks ; — " I was not a little surprised at the good feeling and 

 familiarity that seemed to exist between them [swallows] and numbers of kestrelsf 

 that flew round with the most graceful motion, now skimming in rapid flight along 

 the sands, and anon balanced on extended wing for minutes together, ere they 

 pounced upon their quarry. Their prey was not birds, but a large species of grass 

 or sand-hopper, with remarkably brilliant crimson legs. The wings and back of this 

 insect were the exact colour of the sand, so that when the animal lay quiet on the 

 ground, not even the eye of a hawk could distinguish it. The bird, however, marked 

 with unerring accuracy the spot whereon it alighted, and remained hovering over it 

 as described, till the insect again took flight, when its red legs, and the under part 

 of the body, rendering it very conspicuous, he pounced upon it while on the wing. 

 But neither did this hawk appear to mind the smaller birds, nor did they, as if aware 

 of their security, seem to pay the least attention to him." Narrative of a voyage to 

 Madeira, the Mediterranean, &c, including a visit to Egypt, &c, 2nd edit. p. 252. 

 t Possibly Falco tinnunculoides. 



