88 WILD LIFE IN THE TREE TOPS 



seat, all had to be overcome, and the tout ensemble camouflaged before it 

 could be occupied. I remember that the one particular difficulty that arose 

 was due to the fact that I had arranged to have the camera on the left-hand 

 side of the tree, but had not allowed for the extra space that the handle would 

 require — ^for when I ultimately fixed the camera in position I found that it 

 would be impossible to turn this handle without moving the whole camera — or 

 cutting off the top of the tree ! 



However, it seems that such difficulties are more or less bound to occur. 

 One can only learn by experience, and try, by looking ahead, to foresee possible 

 pitfalls. 



When I first retired into the observation post the young Kestrels were only 

 about ten or twelve days old — although even at this age they were sufficiently 

 advanced to crouch instinctively on the nest until they felt that danger had passed. 

 Soon, however, they began to rise up and take an interest in hfe ; all four of 

 them setting to work to preen their growing feathers, which were just appear- 

 ing through the down, or pecking thoughtfully at the dried-up bones of small 

 birds on the floor of the nest. 



Then one of them — ^tired it seemed of this Hfe of lethargy — would stand 

 on the extreme edge of the nest, and facing the other three, would proceed to 

 exercise his wings in the most vigorous manner — his stumpy half-grown tail 

 working up and down like the parasol of a tight-rope walker, as he tried to main- 

 tain his balance. 



Presently I heard the long-drawn cry of what I imagined to be the male 

 returning with food for the family ; and through a hole in the side of the obser- 

 vation post I caught sight of him — followed by the female, who was now 

 also screaming — as he planed down towards an elm-tree away to the right. 



A few moments later the young Kestrels showed evident signs of expectancy, 

 for, with partially spread wings, and uttering the Uttle cry that they make 

 when feeding time is at hand, they gazed intently into the branches above 

 them ; and without further warning, the female Kestrel, holding in her beak 

 the body of a small bird which had been pretty thoroughly plucked, dropped 

 suddenly on to the side of the nest. 



Then transferring the prey from her beak to her foot, and holding it down 

 with the talons of the first toe, she proceeded to tear it to pieces with her beak. 

 When a small, and conveniently shaped, piece was detached, she held it out 

 in the tip of her beak to one of the young ones, who immediately seized and 

 swallowed it ; in fact the various members of the family seemed to be so anxious 

 to secure a full share that they often pecked small pieces from the body of the 

 victim as it lay under their parent's feet. If rather too large a piece was torn 

 off, the mother would either break it up and distribute it, or swallow it herself. 

 She did not, as did the Hobby, disgorge any food for the youngsters — doubtless 

 because they had passed the stage when they should be fed in that way. 



