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Birds. 
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THE KESTREL, (Falco tinnunculus,) 
Is the commonest of all the British Hawks, and may be 
seen in almost all parts of the country hovering over 
the fields in search of mice and other small animals. 
His flight is very peculiar. He advances only for a 
short distance at a time, and then suspends himself in 
the air by very short but quick movements of his wings. 
If no prey make its appearance beneath him, he then 
goes on a little further, and again remains stationary, 
but the moment a mouse or other small quadruped stirs 
amongst the grass, his wings close, and he descends with 
the greatest velocity. The Kestrel will also feed upon 
small birds and insects. 
The Kestrel is a handsome little Hawk, from twelve 
to fifteen inches in length, with a blue beak and yellow 
cere and feet. Its plumage is reddish brown or fawn 
colour, elegantfy marked with black spots and bars. Its 
nest is built among rocks, or in the holes and corners of 
