56 



FALCONID^:. 



The moustache upon the sides of the face is conspicuous 

 in both male and female. 



The Kestril is easily reconciled to captivity, and becomes 

 extremely tame. One that we reared from a nestling ex- 

 hibited the utmost docility and attachment to the persons it 

 was accustomed to see. It lived on terms of perfect friend- 

 ship with many small caged birds, and although the perch to 

 which it was fastened by a chain often stood within reach of 

 their cage, it never made the smallest effort to molest them. 



This pretty creature would suffer itself to be caressed, 

 and even appeared pleased with attention, and certainly 

 looked upon us as its protectors. It always evinced great 

 alarm at the sight of a black cat, which frequently entered 

 the garden where it stood, in order to snatch from an aviary 

 such of the small birds as should venture near the wires, and 

 several luckless goldfinches did fall into its power. On the 

 appearance of this terrible enemy, our favourite Hawk would 

 utter redoubled cries until some one ran to its assistance ; 

 but if any of its human friends happened to be in sight, it 

 took no notice whatever of the intruder, as if perfectly secure 

 when in our presence. 



The egg represented in the plate, and numbered 11, belongs 

 to the Kestril. 



