THE KESTREL.— STARLING.— PURPLE GARKLE. 291 
much larger, and quite as formidable as that of the Sparrow- 
Hawk. 
The Kestrel ( Tinnunculus alaudarius ) is also in the habit of 
laying its eggs in the nest of other birds, and may possibly eject 
the rightful owner by main force. This opinion is rendered pro- 
bable by a fact mentioned by Mr. Peachey, in the ‘ Zoologist.’ 
A man was passing a tree, and hearing a loud screaming pro- 
ceeding from a nest at the summit, he had the curiosity to climb 
the tree. The screams still continued, and on putting his hand 
into the nest, he found two birds struggling, the uppermost of 
which he caught. This proved to be a Kestrel, and as soon as 
it was secured, the other bird, which was a magpie, flew out, 
evidently having been worsted by its antagonist. 
Then there is the well-known Starling ( Stumns vulgaris ), 
which is a notably parasitic bird, delighting to take the nests of 
the jackdaw, pigeon, and other birds, and to use them as its 
own. Every one who has a dovecote knows how apt are the 
Starlings to usurp the boxes intended for the pigeons, and how 
in consequence it is accused of killing the young of the pigeons, 
and sucking their eggs, two accusations which I believe to be 
wholly false. Were the Starlings to be thus predacious, the 
pigeons would be quite aware of their depredations, and would 
appear greatly disturbed whenever the robbers were seen. As, 
however, the pigeons in one box live in perfect amity with the 
Starlings in the next, it is very unlikely that the latter birds 
prey in any way upon the former. 
There is a group of birds which are popularly called Grakles, 
and are scientifically known as Quiscalinse. They are also called 
Boat-tails, because their tail-feathers are formed so as to take the 
shape of a canoe. One species, the Purple Grakle, or Crow- 
Blackbird ( Quiscalus versicolor ), is conspicuous as a parasitic 
bird, and selects a most extraordinary spot for its nest. 
Generally, the predacious birds are avoided and feared by 
the rest of the feathered tribes, and if a hawk or eagle show 
itself, the smaller birds either hide themselves, or try to drive 
away the intruder by force of numbers or swiftness of wing. The 
u 2 
