Reminiscences of Egypt. 45 



disproportion in the sexes. Of the six or seven specimens killed, 

 all but one were adult males. Of those I saw, but did not 

 shoot, all were males. 



12. Falco tinnunculus. Kestrel. 



Excessively abundant, and singularly tame and familiar. I 

 have approached as near as ten yai*ds to one on the ground, 

 engaged in regaling itself on a lizard, or mouse, before it took 

 the least notice of my intrusion. 



13. AcciPiTER Nisus. Sparrow Hawk. 



Not uncommon, but rather local ; principally frequenting the 

 groves of gum -acacia. 



14. MiLvus iEGYPTius. Arabian Kite. 



The most abundant of any bird of prey in Egypt ; especially 

 frequenting the towns and villages, where they did not appear 

 at all to molest the pigeons or poultry. These birds used to 

 follow our boat in flocks, picking up anything we threw over- 

 board into the river like sea-gulls. They seemed to live prin- 

 cipally on small lizards, and to be very harmless and inoflfensive. 

 This species is not included in Mr. GouId^s work on European 

 birds ; but as it is so very abundant in Egypt, and not less so 

 about Alexandria than further south, I feel little doubt but that 

 it may occasionlly be met with in the south-eastern portions of 

 Europe. The tail in this species is only slightly forked ; the 

 beak is pale straw-colour ; the irides are brown — characteristics 

 which at once distinguish it from Milvus ater of Europe, which 

 has the beak black and the irides yellow. Legs very short. 

 Feet small and weak. 



15. Elanus melanopterus. Black-winged Kite. 



Gould's Birds of Europe, vol. i. pi. 31. 

 Abundant all through the country. In the months of No- 

 vember and December I generally saw single birds ; but by the 

 middle of January they were almost always to be seen in pairs. 

 The food of this species seems to be chiefly small lizards and 

 large insects. The feet and toes are yellow, and more fleshy than 

 is usual in the Raptores. Irides of the most brilliant orange- 

 red. I once saw this species in the Campagna, near Rome, 

 which is, I believe, further north than it usually ranges. 



