English:
Identifier: naturalhistoryof00bech_0 (find matches)
Title: The natural history of cage birds : their management, habits, food, diseases, treatment, breeding, and the methods of catching them
Year: 1888 (1880s)
Authors: Bechstein, Johann Matthäus, 1757-1822
Subjects: Cage-birds
Publisher: London : Groombridge and sons
Contributing Library: ASC - York University Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: York University - University of Toronto Libraries
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ttract small birds to the barn-floor trap, and rooks to the decoy-hut. There seems littleprobability that bird-fanciers should wish to keep such birdsas these in the house. Two species, however, appear to meritdistinction, the kestril and the little owl THE KESTRIL. Falco Tinnunculus, Linnaeus ; La Cresserelle, Buffon ; Der Thurmfalke, Bkchstein. Its size is that of a turtle-dove, ite length fourteen inches,including the tail, which measures six, and two-thirds of whichis covered by the folded wings. The wax, the irides, and feetare yellow. In general this is a handsome bird; but themale, as in all birds of prey, differs from the female, not lessin the body being a third smaller than in the colours ot hisplumage. The top of the head is of a fine light grey, the 28 THE KESTRIL. back and the lesser wing coverts are of a red brick colourspotted with black; the belly is reddish, and streaked withblack ; the feathers of the tail dark brown spotted with white,ending in a broad black border.
Text Appearing After Image:
The back and wings of the female are of a rust red crossedwith many black lines ; the head is of a light reddish brownstreaked with black ; the tail of the same colour, and termi-nated, like that of the male, with a broad black border; theextremity, however, of each is pale *. Habitation.—-In its wild state the kestril falcon may be foundthroughout Europe, preferring mountainous places, where there are wallsof rocks or ruined castles. It is a bird of passage, which departs inOctober with the larks, and may then be seen hovering over them, orpouncing at mice ; it returns in the following March. In the house, if taken when old, it must be kept in a wire cage ; butif caught and trained when young it may be left quite at liberty, providedits wings are kept clipped ; in that case it will neither quit the house norlodging assigned it, especially when, become familiar with the dogs and cats. Food.—-In its wild state it preys on small birds and mice, pursues * There are varieties in this
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