Falco Tinnunculus, LINNÆUS; La Cresserelle, BUFFON; Der
Thurmfalke, BECHSTEIN.
Its size is that of a turtle-dove, its length fourteen inches, including
the tail, which measures six, and two-thirds of which is covered by the
folded wings. The wax, the irides, and feet are yellow. In general this
is a handsome bird; but the male, as in all birds of prey, differs from
the female, not less in the body being a third smaller than in the
colours of his plumage. The top of the head is of a fine light grey,
the back and the lesser wing coverts are of a red brick colour spotted
with black; the belly is reddish, and streaked with black; the feathers
of the tail dark brown spotted with white, ending in a broad black
border.
[Illustration]
The back and wings of the female are of a rust red crossed with many
black lines; the head is of a light reddish brown streaked with black;
the tail of the same colour, and terminated, like that of the male, with
a broad black border; the extremity, however, of each is pale[13].
HABITATION.--In its wild state the kestril falcon may be found
throughout Europe, preferring mountainous places, where there are
walls of rocks or ruined castles. It is a bird of passage, which
departs in October with the larks, and may then be seen hovering over
them, or pouncing at mice; it returns in the following March.
In the house, if taken when old, it must be kept in a wire cage; but
if caught and trained when young it may be left quite at liberty,
provided its wings are kept clipped; in that case it will neither
quit the house nor lodging assigned it, especially when become
familiar with the dogs and cats.
FOOD.--In its wild state it preys on small birds and mice, pursues
sparrows to the house-top, and even attacks birds in their cages; it
is nevertheless contented with cockchafers, beetles, and
grasshoppers.
In confinement it is fed on birds, mice, and a little raw meat; when
given only the fresh offal of pigeons, or the lights and livers of
sheep, it becomes so tame, that even if taken when old it never
appears to regret the loss of its freedom.
BREEDING.--The kestril falcon builds its nest in the fissures of
rooks, high towers, old castles, or some aged tree. It lays from four
to six eggs of a reddish yellow colour, spotted with red and brown.
The young ones, which are at first covered with a simple white down,
may be easily reared on fresh mutton.
MODE OF TAKING.--Lime twigs placed over the nest will easily secure
the old ones when they come to feed their young; or a bird of prey's
basket, with a lark or mouse put in it as a lure, may be placed where
these birds are most frequently seen. This machine is raised on four
stakes, and somewhat resembles a common safe, having a lower shelf as
large as a moderate sized table, with four upright posts, to which
are fastened the partitions of net or wire; on the top and sides are
fixed two iron rods; on these, by means of rings, there runs a net
which covers the whole.
ATTRACTIVE QUALITIES.--Its fine plumage, its sonorous notes _kle_,
_kle_, which it sometimes repeats in continued succession, and its
amusing actions, must make it a favourite with most amateurs; it
cannot, indeed, like other species of falcon, be trained to the
chase; but if taken when very young, and fed with the food before
mentioned, it may be taught to fly to some distance and then return,
even in the midst of the largest cities.