142 
KESTREL. 
quivering of the wings, and survey the thick 
bushy or grassy cover beneath, descending gra- 
dually as their prey is seen, and at last poun- 
cing on it. Small birds may be occasionally 
taken in the same mannner, when squatted 
in cover,* but we never recollect of seeing the 
Kestrel openly pursue or give chase to any prey 
of this description. During the breeding season, 
in muirland localities, the sustenance is almost 
completely changed ; the small common lizard 
( Lacerla agilis) forms the greater part of it, and 
being extremely abundant, serves the parents, 
and is also carried to the nests. The larger 
beetles are also fed on, and we have most fre- 
quently observed in their stomachs the remains 
of the larger Carabi, and Geotrupes , — a fact cor- 
roborated by the interesting anecdote recorded 
by Mr Selby, and which shews still more strongly 
the alliance to some of the JElani, and more 
decidedly insectivorous species. “ In summer, 
the cock-chafer supplies to this species an 
object of pursuit and food, and the following 
curious account is given from an eye-witness 
of the fact: — ‘ I had,’ says he, ‘the pleasure 
this summer, in seeing the Kestrel engaged 
in an occupation entirely new to me, — hawk- 
ing after cock-chafers late in the evening. 
* Mr Selby mentions having taken a Kestrel in a trap 
baited with a bird Vol. i. p. 68. 
