1921.] Birds of Macedonia. 219 



confiding and so noisj that it can scarcely escape notice. 

 It was not seen in the winter months. This species is very 

 partial to the villages on the Struma plain for the purpose of 

 breeding. As early as 8 March a pair showed signs of 

 settling down in the mosque at Ormanli. Mating was first 

 noticed during the first week in April, but most frequent 

 about 19th of the month. One nest contained two eggs 

 on 22 April, 



Falco vespertinus. Red-footed Falcon. 

 Common in the summer, and much more numerous than 

 F. suhhuteo. 



[Eagles. — These birds were a prominent feature of the 

 bird-life on the Struma plain — in winter especially. It was 

 not unusual for every post or bare tree within vision to 

 be occupied by a lumpy looking Eagle, whose head was for 

 ever turned in the direction of the river, watching the Ducks 

 flying uneasily up and down. In severe weather in January 

 1917, Eagles were particularly numerous along the banks of 

 the Butkova river. I could not identify A. clirysaetus to my 

 satisfaction, although I examined scores of large Raptores 

 through a good telescope.] 



Aquila heliaca. Imperial Eagle. 



The most numerous Eagle. Resident. Conspicuous white 

 scapulars denoted a fair proportion of adult birds. I skinned 

 one bird (killed with a service bullet) and found the remains 

 of a (Joot in the stomach. 



Aquila clanga. Spotted Eagle, 



Small Eagles seen commonly on the plain were no doubt 

 of this species, but it cannot be stated with certainty. An 

 immature bird seen at close range on the hills at Karamatli 

 (22 July) could have been no other. On 4 May a Spotted 

 Eagle was having a great deal of trouble with a writhing 

 snake which it was carrying. The snake was eventually 

 dropped, but the Eagle did not descend for it again. Small 

 Eagles could be seen at almost anytime on the Struma plain. 



Q 2 



