181
Rheims, France.
1897.
July 13.
(No. 2). 
Stone Chats and other small birds, a few Rooks (not above a
dozen in all), a Kestrel, a Lapwing, and six Magpies, the last
in grain fields far from any woods but with low hedges near
at hand. On reaching Rheims we took a tram car to the Hotel
Du Lion D'Or where we joined C. and Mrs. S.
  The fine old Cathedral (Notre Dame of Rheims) directly
in front of the hotel is evidently a huge natural aviary.
Hundreds of Swifts collected about it this evening circling
over it in a great swam as I have seen Chimney Swifts at home[.]
There were many Jackdaws, also, very many Pigeons, all of the
domestic kind I think, and a few House Sparrows. After most
of these birds had finished their circling flights and gone
to roost in the innumerable niches and crevices of the walls
a Kestrel appeared and glided through the outer arches and un-
der the flying buttresses evidently looking for his evening
meal. Finally he turned sharply, swept upward and seized a
bird (probably a Sparrow or a Swift) from a narrow ledge 200
feet or more above the earth, carrying it away in his talons.
All this occurred directly over a city street filled with peo-
ple.