In spring the Kestrel frequently takes possession of the
nest of a crow or a magpie, in which to deposit its eggs.
Sometimes these birds build in high x'ocks, or on old towers,
and among the ruins of buildings, laying four, and occasionally
five eggs, about one inch seven lines long, by one
inch three lines across, mottled all over with dark reddish
brown, and sometimes with blotches of reddish brown upon
a pale reddish white ground. The fifth egg has been known
to weigh several grains less than either of those previously
deposited, and it has also less colouring matter spread over
the shell than the others; both effects probably occasioned
by the temporary constitutional exhaustion the bird has
sustained in her previous efforts. The young are hatched
about the end of April or the beginning of May, and are
covered for some time with a yellowish white down.
Among the numerous interesting communications on
British Birds which have appeared in Mr. Loudon’s Magazine
of Natural History from the pen of Charles Waterton,
Esq., and from his own observations, is one on the habits
of the Windhover, in which the value of the mice-destroying
propensities of this friend to the agriculturist is clearly pointed
out.
The Kestrel is too common in this country to render
necessary an enumeration of the counties in which it has
been observed. I t is well known in Ireland, where it breeds
on rocks and in trees. It is common in Scotland, and on
its western and northern islands. From the works of
northern Naturalists we learn that the Kestrel inhabits
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, and Siberia; and
from thence southward over the continent of Europe, generally
to Spain and Italy. Numbers of those bred in Europe
are said to pass over in autumn to the north of Africa.
Mr. Strickland observed it at Smyrna in winter. I t inhabits
Central Africa, according to M. Temminck; and the Zoological
Society have received specimens from the Cape of Good
Hope, which were sent by Captain Spiller.
The range of the Kestrel in the East is also very extensive.
Mr. Selby mentions having received specimens
from India, and I have seen others from the banks of the
Ganges. Colonel Sykes includes it among the birds of the
Dukhun. Figures of it occur in drawings from China; it
is known to inhabit Japan; and Dr. Horsfield includes it in
his catalogue of the birds of Java.
The whole length of the Kestrel is from thirteen to fifteen
inches, depending on the sex. The male, the upper
figure in the illustration, has the beak blue, pale towards the
base ; the cere and orbits or eyelids yellow, the irides dark
brown ; the top of the head, the cheeks, and nape of the
neck, ash grey, with dusky longitudinal streaks , the back,
tertials, and wing-coverts, reddish fawn colour, with small black
triangular spots dispersed over them, one occupying the point
of each feather ; the primaries and secondaries blackish grey,
with lighter-coloured edges ; the tail-feathers ash grey, with
a broad black band near the end, each feather tipped with
white; the breast and belly pale rufous fawn colour, with
dark longitudinal streaks on the former, and dark spots on
the latter; the thighs and under tail-coverts rufous fawn
colour, without spots ; under surface of the tail-feathers greyish
white, with imperfect dark transverse bars, terminating
with the black band and white tips, as on the upper surface ;
the legs and toes yellow ; the claws black.
In the female, the top of the head is reddish fawn colour,
striped darker longitudinally ; the whole of the back, wings,
upper tail-coverts, and tail, reddish brown, barred transversely
with bluish black ; wing-primaries darker than in the
male : the whole under surface of the body of a paler ferruginous
colour, but streaked on the breast and spotted lower
down, as in the male ; under surface of the tail-feathers more