PALCON. 127 



C. — Falco brunneus, Allg. U. d. Vog. i. Zusass. s. 679. taf. 2, f. 1. 2. 

 Kestril, var. D. Gen. Si/n. Sup. ii. p. 44. 



This is described as 14 in. long and 24in. broad — Bill blue ; 

 cere yellow ; the ground colour of the plumage rusty yellow, barred 

 with brown, as in the Kestril ; beneath paler with dusky streaks ; 

 tail crossed with lines of black, and deeply tipped with black at 

 the end. 



The young bird is said not greatly to differ, but the cross streaks 

 of blackish are edged with white on the upper parts ; beneath not 

 unlike the other ; but the end of the tail tipped with black in a less 

 degree. 



These inhabit Thuringia in the breeding season, but are not 

 found there in the winter — make the nest as late as May, whereas the 

 rest of the birds of prey build theirs in March and April. 



I much suspect that these last birds are no other than Kestrils, 

 which are known to wear the female plumage for some length of 

 time, * and to say the truth, very many of the Falcon tribe have so 

 mixed an appearance of feather at different stages of growth, as to 

 frequently pass for distinct species. 



The Kestril, with its varieties, is sufficiently common every 

 where in England, and may be seen frequently hovering in the 

 air, as it were stationary ; on a sudden darting to the earth to 

 secure its prey, which for the most part consists of mice, and small 

 reptiles; I have known also the remains of beetles and scolopendra?, 

 in the stomach of one. It is supposed to feed likewise on small 

 birds, but feathers are rarely, if ever, found in the stomach ; be 

 this as it may, it has been now and then taken by bird-catchers in 

 the act of pouncing their call birds. 



* Till after the winter of the first year.— Orn. Diet. 



