124 



12 



day pluming the eggs and young, and can therefore vouch for the truth of this fact. The 

 remarkable part of this statement is the bird's breeding in so small a space." 



The Kestrel was formerly tried for Falconry, but was never well adapted for the sport, not 

 possessing the fire and dash of the nobler Falcons. On this subject Dr. Edward Hamilton has 

 kindly sent us the following note : — 



" I have trained the Kestrel myself to come to the lure, but never could get it to swoop at 

 birds, although I have starved it almost to death ; but put a mouse before it, and it would imme- 

 diately take it. The favourite food was raw meat or mice. Birds, when given, were always left 

 half plucked or half eaten, as if distasteful." 



The figures in the Plate, which represent a male and female, are taken from English spe- 

 cimens in our collection. From these birds also the descriptions are taken. 



In the preparation of the above article we have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. Sharpe and Dresser. 



a. 6 ■ Cookham, April 22nd, 1870 (J. Ford). b,c. c? , $ . Leadenhall Market (H. E. D.). d. ? . Rye Harbour, 

 Sussex, Sept. 26th, 1860 (H. E. D.). e. $. Pagham, Sussex, August 1870 (G. E. Shelley), f. Zoulla, 

 February 1868 (Jesse), g. Zoulla, March 12th, 1868 (Jesse), h. ?. Goon-goona, May 2, 1868 (Jesse), 

 i. $ . Madeira, autumn of 1862 (A. J. Grant). 



E Mus. Lord Lilford. 

 a. 6 ■ Lilford, May 1866 (Lilford). 



E Mus. Salvin and Godman. 



a. Park Hatch, Godalming (F. Godman). b. Japan, 1863 (Mus. Lugd.). c. Darjeeling (Eccles). d, e. El 

 Djene, Tunis, March 1, 1857 (0. Salvin). f. St. Michael's (G. Brown). 



E Mus. B. Swinhoe. 



a. Peking, August 1868 (R. S.). b, c. 3, ?. Hainan, February 1868 (R. S.). d, e,f. Amoy, October 15, 

 1866 (R. S.). g, h, i,j, k. Amoy, November 1866 (R. S.). I, m. Amoy, December 1866-67 (R. S.). 

 n, o,p, q, r, s, t, u. Amoy, January 1867-68 (R. S.). v, w, x. Amoy, February 1867 (R. S.). y. Amoy, 

 April 28, 1867(2?. S.). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram. 



a. Castle Eden, Durham (H. B. T.). b. Algiers, December 1855 (H. B. T.). c, 3. Sidon, December 1, 1863 

 (H. B. ¥.). d. 6- Mount Carmel, March 26, 1864 (H. B. T.). e. d. Etawah, January 1870 (W. E. 

 Brooks). 



E Mus. Norvicensi. 

 a. 2- Objimbinque, Damaraland, February 1st, 1865 (C. J. Andersson). b. d. Seychelles (Mus. Norv.). 



E Mus. Lord Walden. 



a, b, c. England, d, e. Asia Minor (Robson). f. Ortakeuy (Robson). g. Simla, h, i. Umballah (Scott). 

 j. Nepaul Valley, k. North-eastern India. /. Maunbhoom (Beavan). m,n. Candeish. o,p,q,r. Ceylon 

 (Chapman), s, t. Tonghoo, Burmah. u. China (R. Bergman), v. Abyssinia (Jesse). 



