Bird-Life of Eastern Algeria. 159 



breed on Djebel Metlili (J). Migratory : not noted up to 

 March 4, 1906, but several seen at El Kantara on March 31, 

 1910. As many as seventeen seen together on the wing at 

 El Kantara : also in numbers at Constantine (W). 



127. Elanns caeruleus (Desf.). Black-shouldered Kite. 

 One seen sitting on telegraph-wires and on the wing at 



Hammam Meskoutine, April 1911. The plumage is unmis- 

 takable : mantle and wings grey with black triangular patch 

 on shoulders (W). 



128. Circaetus gallicus (Gm.). Short-toed or Snake 

 Eagle, 



Seen once or twice between El Kantara and El Outaia (J). 

 A nest in an olive-tree, only seven feet from the ground, 

 at H. Meskoutine in April 1911 : also seen there in April 

 1912, and near Lac Fetzara (VV). 



129. Falco columbarius regulus Pall. Merlin. 



One seen chasing House-Buutiugs at Biskra, February 7, 

 1906 (W). 



130. Falco naumanni naumanni Fleisch. Lesser Kestrel. 

 Only identified with certainty at the gorge of the Rummel, 



Clonstantine, in April (J). Common at Constantine on 

 April 9, 1910 (twenty-two sitting on one length of 

 telegraph-wire), but not observed there on February 23. 



131. Falco tinnunculus L. Kestrel. 



Generally distributed and common. A nest in a hole of 

 a high mud-cliif, contained four eggs on April 30, 1914 (J). 



132. Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides Temm. Algerian 

 Peregrine. 



A nest with three half-incubated eggs taken at El 

 Kantara, on April 3, 1910. From the slaty head and 

 mantle, and lightly ticked fulvous breast of the Falcon, it 

 must have been this species, although Lanners usually nest 

 here. Also apparently breeds in the Taya gorge and on 

 cliffs near H. Meskoutine (W). 



