48 BRITISH BIRDS. 



winter to swell the large flocks of Hawks that annually cross the Mediter- 

 ranean on passage. The reason for this migration has not far to be 

 sought. Certainly in England the KestreFs food is composed almost 

 exclusively of mice and moles and beetles, creatures that are rarely found 

 abroad in the depth of winter. The absence of this food renders migra- 

 tion imperative, and sends the Kestrel to a southern clime, where its 

 winter fare is largely composed of locusts. Birds do not constitute the 

 KestreVs regular food. A walk through its haunts will convince the 

 observer of this beyond all doubt. You never see the smaller birds in 

 terror at his approach ; he is no enemy of theirs, and mingles freely 

 with them, almost unheeded. Observe what consternation the Sparrow- 

 Hawk brings to these little choristers when he is abroad ; but how dif- 

 ferent when the Kestrel passes overhead ! The Chaffinch, instead of utter- 

 ing cries of alarm, still continues his merry notes ; and the Larks and 

 Pipits stay not in their song. See how difierently the Kestrel's presence 

 in the farmyard is regarded. No anxious brooding hen utters her cluck of 

 alarm to her scattered family ; and the Sparrows continue their meal on 

 the ricks, while in the air the graceful Swallow vies with him in airy flight, 

 unconcerned and trustful, for experience tells him there is no danger. 



Mice form the chief part of the Kestrel's food ; but occasionally small 

 birds are taken, although, as before stated, only very rarely and when 

 its usual fare is wanting. Frogs, moles, caterpillars, lizards, and earth- 

 worms, too, are eaten ; but the latter seem rather exceptional food ; for 

 the Kestrel is rarely seen on the ground, and there more rarely still in 

 motion ; for its sharp claws would inevitably be broken or blunted, and 

 thus prevent it from firmly clutching its usual prey. All Falcons walk 

 but little on the ground, as an examination of their beautifully sharpened 

 claws proves beyond all doubt. A favourite prey of the Kestrel is 

 cockchafers ; and it may ofttimes in the evening's dusk be seen hawking 

 for them, taking them in its claws just as it would take a mouse or frog. 

 Various other insects are taken, such as grasshoppers and locusts. It 

 usually eats its insect captures whilst flying through the air. From its 

 extreme partiality for mice the Kestrel is one of the best friends of the 

 farmer ; and the great value of its services in destroying these pests ought 

 to place it in far greater favour than it now enjoys. 



It is not before the early spring (March) that the Kestrel is seen in any 

 numbers in this country, when it returns northwards to rear its young. 

 Even then, if the weather be at all severe, especially if the ground be 

 covered with snow, they retire southwards again, to return as soon as the 

 frost disappears. The Kestrel's pairing-season is in April, although the 

 eggs are seldom laid before early May. Few things are more interesting 

 than to wander through the Kestrel's haunt at this season and obserye its 

 graceful motions high in air. Around you in the underwood birds are 



