54 FALCONTD.E. 



ing in the same anxious search. We have occasionally 

 watched a pair thus pursuing the chase together, for a con- 

 siderable time. 



Field mice are believed to constitute the chief food of the 

 Kestril ; but they occasionally take birds. They also pursue 

 cockchafers and other flying beetles, which they devour upon 

 the wing. Frogs and lizards become also their prey. 



The nest of the Kestril may be found in crevices of rocks, 

 or holes in high banks, in church towers, and in ruins : 

 where such places are not to be met with, a hole in an old 

 tree is chosen, or even a deserted nest of sufficient size. 

 The eggs are frequently deposited in the bare cavity, at 

 other times a few straws or loose feathers are brought to the 

 spot. The female seldom deposits more than four eggs ; 

 these are of a roundish form, much resembling those of the 

 Merlin in size and shape ; they are rust yellow, spotted all 

 over with brownish red, sometimes entirely brick-red, mot- 

 tled with a deeper tint. The partiality of this species for 

 towers and ruins as resting or breeding places has given rise 

 in several countries to its local name. In Italy it is called 

 Falco di Torre, and in Germany Thurmfalke, both signifying 

 Tower Falcon. One of its provincial names in England is 

 Kastril, which seems also to admit of the same interpreta- 

 tion. 



The young Kestrils are at first covered with a greyish 

 white down. Before they leave the nest they have acquired 

 a garb resembling that of the adult female. At this age 

 there is but little difference in size or colour between the 

 sexes, but the bars upon the feathers of the females are 

 rather broader and less distinctly marked than in the males. 

 Four young ones, which had just been taken from the nest, 

 were brought us ; they were fully feathered, and scarcely any 

 difference of plumage could be discerned among them. In 



