254 THE KESTREL. 
In the use of its claws the Kestrel is remarkably quick and ready, and 
being also a swift-winged bird, it is in the habit of chasing cock-chaffers and 
other large beetles on the wing, and catching them neatly with its claws as 
it shoots past their course. Without pausing in its flight, the bird transfers 
KESTREL,—(Zinnunculus Alaudarius.) 
the insect from the foot to the mouth, and eats it without taking the trouble 
to alight. With such eagerness does it pursue this kind of prey, which we 
may suppose to be taken as a dessert after a more substantial meal upon 
Mouse-flesh, that it continues its chase far into the evening, and may be seen 
