KESTR1L. 53 



RAPTORES, FALC0N1D/E. 



PLATE XL 



KESTRIL. 

 Falco Tinnunculus. 



The Kestril is a bird of prey well known all over 

 Europe. In America and in Asia it is also equally com- 

 mon. In Africa they abound, even as far as the Cape of 

 Good Hope. In Europe, says Temminck, this species is 

 not usually found beyond the regions of the arctic circle ; 

 its place being supplied in those countries by the Merlin. 

 It appears to prefer rocky and mountainous localities to 

 woodland, on account of its preference for the fissures and 

 holes in rocks for the purposes of nidification and shelter : 

 it is not, however, confined to such localities, but is found 

 in greater or less abundance in all situations. 



From its general distribution, its peculiar appearance when 

 on the wing, and the little fear it appears to entertain for 

 man, it is more frequently seen and better known than any 

 of our indigenous Hawks. 



When engaged in searching for its food, it will suffer the 

 very near approach of an observer without showing any alarm 

 or desisting from its employment, and continue at the eleva- 

 tion of a few yards from the ground with outspread tail 

 and stationary, except the occasional tremulous flickering of 

 its wings ; then, as if suddenly losing sight of the object of 

 its search, it wheels about and shifts its position, and is 

 again presently seen at a little distance suspended and hover- 



