166 Mr. F. Du Cane Godiiian on the Resident and 



distinguish the Kestrel of Madeira and the Canaries from ordi- 

 nary European specimens. Similar peculiarities appear in the 

 Kestrels found in Japan, Nepal, and Abyssinia, when compared 

 with European examples ; but I am unable to detect any really 

 tangible points of difference between specimens from these 

 widely separated localities. A larger series of skins may throw 

 more light upon this matter; but present want of materials 

 compels me to leave it sub judice. It is not improbable that 

 the bird from West Africa, described by Swainsou (Birds of \V. 

 Afr. i. p. 109) as Falco rufescem, may prove to be identical 

 with the Kestrel from these islands ; so that, if it be sufficiently 

 distinct from the European bird, Swainson^s name can be used 

 for it. 



5. fMiLvus icTiNUS, Sav. 



Falco milvus, Linn.; W. & B. Can. Orn. p. 7; Bolle, J. fiir 

 Orn. 185^, p. 449. 



Milvus regalis, Bolle, J. fiir Orn. p. 270. 



One of the most common of the Raptores in Teneriffe and 

 other islands of the gi'oup, where it is stationary. It may be 

 seen flying over any of the large villages, and is always on the 

 look-out for poultry, amongst which it has the reputation of 

 being very destructive, whence it is the universal enemy. Not- 

 withstanding this, I failed to procure a specimen for my col- 

 lection, though it is to be seen everywhere. 



6. fHALiAETUs ALBiciLLA (Linn.). 



Falco albicilla, Lath.; W. & B. Orn. Can. p. 6; Bolle, 

 J. fur Orn. 1854, p. 449. 



Webb and Berthelot do not seem to have observed this Eagle, 

 though Dr. Bolle says that he met with it in the island of 

 Lobos in May 1864 in some numbers. He also mentions it as 

 a coast species in Teneriffe. In the month of April I fre- 

 quently watched a pair of these birds three or four miles to the 

 eastward of Orotava, near the coast. They frequented a high, 

 inaccessible cliff over the sea, where I suspect they had a nest, 

 though it was impossible to ascertain the fact. The birds were 

 very wary, and I could not get close to them ; yet, as I had 

 several opportunities of observing them with my glasses, I have 



