THE BIRDS OF TRA VANCORE. 673 



(231) Falco peregrinator. — The Shahin Falcon. 

 Stanford, No. 1255; Jenlon, No. 9. 

 A single specimen of this fine falcon was shot by Mr. Walch in 

 Trevandrum in November 1893, and sent to the Museum. 

 (232) Falco severus. — The Indian Hobby. 

 Blanford, No. 1261; Jerdon, No. 14. 

 The Hobby may be S8en on the hills and occasionally in the low 

 country in the cold season. Mr. F. W. Bourdillon says of it : — " A winter 

 visitor, though (without having taken a nest) I have reason to think it 

 breeds here." Mr. T. F. Bourdillon writes:—" Though I have never 

 taken the eggs, I have little doubt that the Indian Hobby breeds with us. 

 A pair of birds one year frequented a piece of forest on a very steep slope, 

 and though I was unable to find the nest at the time, I afterwards found 

 what I believe was their nest on a tree overhanging a precipice. The 

 breeding season, as with nearly all birds of prey, is early, and probably 

 extends from January to March." 



(233) Tinnunculus alaudarius. — The Kestrel. 

 Blanford, No. 1265 ; Jerdon, No. 17. 

 A common winter visitor to the hills. " On one occasion I noticed a 

 pair of old birds feeding their young in a nest perched on the ledge of 

 an inaccessible rock at the elevation of 2,800 feet during the month of 

 April, and since then I have satisfied myself that the birds do breed with 

 us by the energy with which I have seen them driving away other birds 

 of prey from the neighbourhood of their breeding places. — T. F. B." 



(To be continued.) 



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