INTRODUCTION. 
XXXVll 
the time will come when the generic appellation bestowed upon each distinct form will be more generally 
adopted. 
The Merlin of the British Islands is by no means the only representative of the genus Msahn ; for there 
are several very distinct species in other countries, the names of which would be given were I writing a work 
on general ornithology instead of one on the birds of a limited area. 
The F. (Bsalon is a resident species, and very generally dispersed over the three kingdoms. 
Genus Erythropus. 
At least two species of this elegant form are known. Of these, one, E. vespertinus, is a native of South 
and South-eastern Europe, but occasionally wanders into Britain ; the other, E. amurensis, is found on the 
Amur, in Nepaul, and over the greater part of South-eastern Africa. In disposition these birds are less 
sanguinary than the true Falcons ; and their food consists principally of insects and their larvae. 
24. Erythropus vespertinus ........... Vol. I. PI. XX 
Orange-legged Hobby. 
Although truly but an accidental visitor, at least thirty specimens have from time to time been killed in 
the British Islands, the greater number in England — Ireland and Scotland contributing only one each. 
Genus Tinn^unculus. 
The birds trivially termed Kestrels comprise many species which are very generally dispersed over the Old 
World, Australia not excepted. In the New they are less numerous ; and those that are there found have 
been formed by Professor Kaup into a distinct genus, that of Pcedlorms. 
25. Tinnuxculus alaudarius .......... Vol I. PI. XXI. 
Kestrel. 
The “ Windhover,” as this bird is also termed, is so well known to every one who visits the country and 
“ has eyes to see, and a mind to observe,” that any special comment respecting it is unnecessary. The 
whole of Britain, the continent of Europe, Africa, India, and China are also frequented by it. Its food is 
much varied ; for it eats insects, mollusks, fish occasionally, and the young of most of the field-loving birds 
which nest on the ground, and, when opportunity offers, does not object to the young of the Partridge and 
