They passed directly over me so that I had them a long time in sight, the kestrel travelling quietly on in the face of the wind, the crow toiling after, and at intervals spurting till he got near enough to hurl himself at his enemy, emitting his croaks of rage.

For invariably the kestrel with one of his sudden swallow-like turns avoided the blow and went on as before.

I watched them until they were lost to sight in the coming blackness and wondered that so intelligent a creature as a crow should waste his energies in that vain chase.

Still one could understand it and even sympathize with him.

For the kestrel is a most insulting creature towards the bigger birds.