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Birds of Britain 



intervals occurred in this country, chiefly in the east and 

 south. 



The adult male has the head, throat, breast, and upper 

 parts very dark lead grey ; thighs and vent chestnut. The 

 female has the head and nape chestnut; upper parts slate 

 grey, with darker bars ; under parts pale chestnut. Length 

 11'5 in.; wing 97 in. 



KESTREL 



Falco tinnunculus, Linnaeus 



The Kestrel, or as it is sometimes called, " the Windhover," 

 is one of the most graceful and harmless of our small Hawks 

 Year in, year out, he is with us, and his beautiful flight may 

 be observed throughout these islands. He may be seen 

 on any fine day high up in the air, remaining apparently 

 motionless, but ever and anon keeping his position by a few 

 rapid and quivering wing-beats, he will then turn slowly 

 sideways and, revealing as he does so a red back and dark 

 quills, he will describe a wide curve and again hang motion- 

 less in the wind. He is at last beginning to be recognised 

 as one of the farmer's most useful friends, and as a perfectly 

 harmless adjunct to the Pheasant covert, and thus he is 

 yearly becoming more abundant. He feeds entirely on 

 mice and small rodents, and only occasionally on small birds 

 such as Larks. 



Towards the end of April the Kestrel repairs with his 

 mate to his former abode or to some convenient spot near 



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