2 K ESTREL.
Crows ; ami at times I'vi'n tho unsuspected Moorhen has been proved the ngressnr. Hats and stoats, as well
ns snakes or adders*, are also now and then tempted by sneh a tender morsel as a Jtrnng Pheasant.
The Kestnd in the game-preserves of the southern and midland counties, like the Eagle ami Peregrine
on the Highland moors, is made responsible for all injury when the real eulprit has managed to escape
observation. To recount all the instances I have met with where tlus species has been unreasonably accused
would be superfluous, though the following may perhaps atlbrd an insight into the justice of certain charges of
(hen brought against the larger birds of prey. A few years back I passed part of the spring on an extensive
slicep-farut in the west, where Eagles were looked upon as the most desperate robbers, in consequence of
the damage they were declared to have iutlieted on the Hocks ami the number of lambs they had carried oft
That they were exceedingly destructive I never for a moment doubted ; but how the |H>or birds could possibly
he guilty of all the crimes imputed to them I was at a loss to eoujeeture. Shortly after leaving tin- islands
I returned to the neighbourhood of Inverness; and while crossing a hill overlooking the lochs ill the
Caledonian Canal I observed a number of boats belonging to the east coast, which had been prosecuting
the fishing in the Minch, making their way home. The boats were naturally delayed some time ia the
lochs; and I was particularly interested as soon as I noticed that one or two lambs were on every craft. A
grassy bulk stretched close down to the water-side; and it was nn amusing sight to watch the gentle
manner in which the sturdy fishermen tended their sportive charges while they gambolled on the hill-side,
and the enre with which they were led back to their respective boats when the passage of the lochs had been
effected. I have often wondered how or where these lambs had been procured.
Birds o p t o the size of Blackbirds or Thrushes are now ami then struck down by this species. Last
sprins I was informed by the gardener that a Kestrel had made several attacks on these birds in my own
garden near Brighton. It appeared from his report that the Hawk had not succeeded in making anv captures,
although OtH Blackbird had only escaped with the loss of its tail. I was of opinion that the culprit must
have been a Sparrow-Hawk ; but being hastily summoned shortly after, I laid a good view of a large female
Kestrel tearing at a Blackbird, on which she was perched on the middle of a lied of Hyacinths. On being
disturbed the Hawk at once made off, carrying the Blackbird in her talons.
I should lie sorry to venture an opinion as to whether the British Islands are visited by any considerable
num1>rrs from the Coulineut during the autumn. There can be little doubt that a few cross the North Sea;
I have met with them on the passage, and have also noticed an accession to the usual numbers on the east
coast during the middle of October. I have more than once remarked that they appeared to come about the
same time as the Grey Crows. My attention was attracted early in the morning of October 211, 1861,
by the commotion created by a pair of Black Crows attempting to drive off some of their Grey brethren
who Named inclined to take up their quarters in a plantation they usually frequented. Later in the day the
Crows wen- busily employed in repelling the advances of three or four Kestrels who had approached their
domain. In some instances llu-y followed them a considerable distance across the marshes before they
desisted from their pursuit. These, I should imagine, must have been fresh arrivals, as during the summer
month-: the Crows anil Kestrels live in perfect amity, both species breeding in (dose proximity to one a IN il IN-t;
the Kestrels, as a ntle, appropriating the old nests of their black neighbours.
For breeding-purposes this species resorts to various situations. On the downs in the south I have
repeatedly observed them to rear their young in chalk-pits ; they also make use of the deserted nests
of Crows and other birds in the woodland districts, while along the sea-coast and among the islands the
crevices and ledges ia the cliffs furnish secure and almost inaccessible eyries. At times they are noticed
KESTREL. S
frequenting the towers of churches and other buildings; on the moors in the north the steep rocky bees of
the numerous ravines nnd old ruins are for the most part resorted to. In the summer of 1808 1 found a
brood of young Kestrels on a perfectly hare spot on an open moor in Sutherland. It was not for the want
of a suitable locality that such nn unusual spot had been chosen for n cradle (there was not tin- slightest
suspicion or a nest), as a rough and broken precipice was within a few yards distance. The follow iug year
I was shown three eggs on a shelf in a shepherds' sbcaling on Ben Alisky, in Caithness, which hail only been
deserted by its rightful owners the previous mouth, the bird making its escape through a hole in the chimney
while we were entering the building. I do not believe that the Kestrel makes any attempt at building a nest
for itscIf. I have frequently noticed thai not even u strand of grass or u single Iw ig was on the ledges where
their young had liecn hatched.
The number of rats that one pair will occasionally destroy, and the pertinacity with which the female
will return to her nest in spite of frequent interruption, will he seen by the following short extract from my
notes of 1*07, jotted down while collecting specimens in East Lothian. The nest was in a small hole
six or eight feet from the top of the dills on the cast side of Canty Bay. Being anxious to secure the young
as soon ns they were perfectly covered with down, I had gono over tho rocks with a rope on two or three
occasions to learn how they progressed.
" J u n c l . On examining the Kestrels'nest I found the young iu the state I required for preserving.
The female was now more reconciled to having her treasures inspected, and simply hissed without making the
slightest attempt to use cither beak or claws when I lifted her up. As on previous occasions, the remains
of rats were the only food. After paying the poor bird so many visits, I did not feel inclined to catch her on
her young ones and slaughter her iu cold blood; so I left her sitting, and hauled myself to the top of the
dill's with the assistance of the rope. On reaching the summit I determined to let her have Hie chance of
a fly for her life; so picking up my gun I took up a position with firm standing.ground, from which I could
shoot as she ilew out. It required three or four stones pitched onto the ledge to induce her to move. At
last she dashed out, but instantly swept round a projecting slab of roek, and was out of sight before she was
twenty yards distant. When once on wing she appeared wild enough; and as she gave no signs of approaching
within range, 1 discovered I should have to use the traps (which I had brought to set for the male) in order
lo cll'ccl her capture. The work of placing the traps (it needed a couple to cover the space at the entrance of
the hole) was by no means easy, swinging on tho rope with only a small ledge about an inch wide on which
to get a foothold. At hist the operation was accomplished ; mid the traps being of considerable weight, I did
not think it would be necessary to make them fist. The rope was then drawn up. and we left the spot, making
our way down to the inn. An hour and a half lalcr we retraced our steps ; and on stretching over Hie cliff
I was surprised to find the Iraps vanished. On descending to the ledge I discovered the young were also gone.
Before regaining the top of the nicks my attention was attracted by a parly of three or four small bajs
diligently engaged in scraping a hole in the sand at the foot or the dim,, between two and three hundred
yards to the west. On examining their movements through Hie glasses, I discovered them just in the net of
placing two traps in the hole nnd carefully covering them. I also noticed that they carried a couple of covered
baskets, As I had strong suspicions that these youngsters had managed to possess themselves of our traps
and birds, I directed the two men with mo to take the path at the top of the din's and cut oil' their retreat
towards North Berwick, while I watched their movements through the glass™. The time they spent in
endeavouring to conceal the spot where they had buried the traps alibied the men to get round them. 1
could only discern, from where I was stationed, that the contents of the baskets were given up and the trays
brought out from their place of concealment. On their return the men brought with them the four young
Hawks, the old female, and also the traps. They also had the remains of the rats I had noticed on the ledge,
in addition to a large one Hie captured bird must have brought with her when taken. It seems that the boys,