NER O DIG El ON

XXXVil

the time will come when the generic appellation bestowed upon each distinct form will be more generally

adopted.

The Merlin of the British Islands is by no means the only representative of the genus Zsalon; for there
are several very distinct species in other countries, the names of which would be given were I writing a work
\ I g S

on general ornithology instead of one on the birds of a limited area.

The F. @salon is a resident species, and very generally dispersed over the three kingdoms.

Genus Eryruropvs.

At least two species of this elegant form are known. Of these, one, L. vespertinus, is a native of South
and South-eastern Kurope, but occasionally wanders into Britain; the other, LZ. amurensis, is found on the
Amur, in Nepaul, and over the greater part of South-eastern Africa. In disposition these birds are less
sanguinary than the true Falcons; and their food consists principally of insects and their larve.

DAG Eryruropus VESPERTINUS

: ‘ ‘ : : ; : : : ‘ Vol. TY, Pl; Xx.

OrANGE-LEGGED Hopssy.

Although truly but an accidental visitor, at least thirty specimens have from time to time been killed in

the British Islands, the greater number in England—Ireland and Scotland contributing only one each.

Genus Tinnuncuvus.

The birds trivially termed Kestrels comprise many species which are very generally dispersed over the Old
World, Australia not excepted. In the New they are less numerous; and those that are there found have

been formed by Professor Kaup into a distinct genus, that of Pecilornis.

25. TINNUNCULUS ALAUDARIUS

: Wolttie iE XOX:

KESTREL.

The “ Windhover,” as this bird is also termed, is so well known to every one who visits the country and

‘“has eyes to see, and a mind to observe,” that any special comment respecting it is unnecessary. The
whole of Britain, the continent of Europe, Africa, India, and China are also frequented by it. Its food is

much varied ; for it eats insects, mollusks, fish occasionally, and the young of most of the field-loving birds

which nest on the ground, and, when opportunity offers, does not object to the young of the Partridge and

L