56 BIRDS OF LA PLATA 



ARGENTINE KESTREL 



Tmnmcttlm cinnamotninus 



Above reddish ciimamon with irregular black cross bands on the 

 back ; head bluish grey ; front and sides of head white ; nape and 

 stripes on the sides of the neck black ; wings bluish grey with black 

 central spots ; tail cinnamon red with broad black band and white 

 tip ; beneath white with buff tinge, and irregular oval black spots ; 

 length 10.5, wing 7.7 inches. Female similar but larger. 



The habits of this little Falcon closely resemble 

 those of Falco fusco-caerulescens, and like that bird 

 it is common in Patagonia and migrates north in 

 winter. Many individuals, however, do not migrate, 

 as I found when residing at the Rio Negro, where 

 some pairs remained at the breeding-place all the 

 year. Many pairs are also found resident and breeding 

 in other parts of the Argentine country, but it is 

 common only in Patagonia. 



It nests in holes in cliffs and also on trees, and 

 sometimes builds its own nest on the large nest of 

 a Dendrocolaptine bird or of a Parrakeet. It lays 

 four eggs, large for the size of the bird, oval in shape, 

 and white, thickly blotched with dull red. 



The preying habits of the Little Kestrel are similar 

 to those of the Orange-chested Hobby j it haunts 

 farmhouses and plantations, and spends a great 

 deal of time perched on some elevation watching 

 for its prey, and making sudden dashes to capttire 

 it by surprise. But though not bold when seeking 

 its food, it frequently makes violent unprovoked 

 attacks on species very much larger than itself, either 



