Page:The Natural History of Ireland vol1.djvu/82

 were found shrimp-like creatures, quite transparent;" — probably the larvse of dragon-flies (Libellulæ), which it was presumed could only be obtained at, or near, the surface of the water. It was remarked of a tame kestrel kept by him, that when birds or mice were given to it, the eyes were always picked out at the com- mencement of the repast. One in the possession of my corres- pondent in Wexford, always refused thrushes, but accepted larks, chaffinches, and field-mice. Once, when this bird was set at liberty, it flew into a high tree containing numbers of goldfinches and green-linnets, all of which kept their places regardless of its presence. Prom this circumstance, it may perhaps be fairly in- ferred that the kestrels of that neighbourhood are not much given to preying upon small birds.' 35 ' I have remarked the kestrel abroad at a very early hour in the winter morning ; and Mr. Poole notes his having "observed one on the morning of the 11th of November, examining a stubble field before 7 o' clock, when there seemed little enough of light for an owl to plunder by."

kestrel, but both my informants are good ornithologists, and know the difference between the species well. The following occurrence, in which the kestrel is made the hero, is also less in unison with the general character of this species than with that of its congener. In November, 1845, as Mr. J. O'Neil Higginson was in a coach proceeding from Belfast to Antrim, a skylark pursued by a kestrel flew into the coach (the window being open) when near Templepatrick, and alighted at his back. Feeling confident that it had taken refuge from some bird of prey, he gently laid hold of, and carried the lark for some distance, until certain that it would be beyond the reach of its pursuer, when it was given liberty. A friend of Mr. Hig- ginson's travelling outside the coach, observed the hawk to sweep close past the vehicle, but did not perceive the lark.

Dr. Wilde, when in the desert, between the pyramids of Gaza and Dashoor, at the end of January, remarks ; — "I was not a little surprised at the good feeling and familiarity that seemed to exist between them [swallows] and numbers of kestrelsf that flew round with the most graceful motion, now skimming in rapid flight along the sands, and anon balanced on extended wing for minutes together, ere they pounced upon their quarry. Their prey was not birds, but a large species of grass or sand-hopper, with remarkably brilliant crimson legs. The wings and back of this insect were the exact colour of the sand, so that when the animal lay quiet on the ground, not even the eye of a hawk could distinguish it. The bird, however, marked with unerring accuracy the spot whereon it alighted, and remained hovering over it as described, till the insect again took flight, when its red legs, and the under part of the body, rendering it very conspicuous, he pounced upon it while on the wing. But neither did this hawk appear to mind the smaller birds, nor did they, as if aware of their security, seem to pay the least attention to him." Narrative of a voyage to Madeira, the Mediterranean, &c, including a visit to Egypt, &c, 2nd edit. p. 252.

Possibly Falco tinnunculoides.