34° RED-FOOTED FALCON. 



was taken in co. Wicklow during the summer of 1S32. Most of 

 the authenticated occurrences have been in spring or summer, with 

 a few in autumn. 



The Red-footed Falcon has been found in the south of Sweden, 

 and as far north as lat. 65° in Finland ; while in Russia, below that 

 parallel, it is generally distributed, though Dr. jMenzbier thinks that 

 it has only extended its migration to the northern provinces within 

 the last forty or fifty years. During the same period a gradual 

 diminution in its numbers — as a breeding species — has taken place 

 in the south ; where, especially near Odessa, immense flocks used to 

 arrive early in April and afterwards disperse, reuniting in autumn, 

 previous to departure. On the steppes of Orenburg this decrease 

 partially coincides with a remarkable immigration of the Lesser 

 Kestrel, previously a very rare bird there. The Red-footed Falcon 

 is found in Siberia as far as Krasnoiarsk ; but to the eastward our 

 bird is represented by J^. amurensis, the adult male of which is 

 white beneath the wing instead of grey. On migration the Red- 

 footed Falcon is found in Asia Minor, Turkey, Greece, Malta and 

 Italy ; in the Danubian provinces and Hungary it breeds in con- 

 siderable numbers ; but westward it is only a straggler, and in Spain 

 it is rare. In winter it is found in Africa down to Damara Land. 



In May or June this species appropriates the nest of a Crow, 

 Magpie or Rook, in which it deposits 4-6 eggs, of a yellower red 

 than those of the Kestrel and smaller in size : average measure- 

 ments I '45 by I "1 5 in. Five or six nests so occupied may be 

 found in one tree ; and in its general habits also this Falcon is 

 remarkably gregarious, numbers roosting close together. The food 

 consists chiefly of dragonflies, large moths, beetles, grasshoppers 

 and other insects ; also of lizards and field-mice. The flight resem- 

 bles that of the Kestrel, and lacks the dash of that of the Hobby ; 

 the note is a clear, shrill ki, often repeated, especially towards even- 

 ing, at which time it usually seeks its prey. 



The plumage of the male adult is nearly uniform lead-grey, 

 except the thighs, vent and under tail-coverts, which are rich chest- 

 nut ; under wing-coverts dark grey : bill dark horn-colour ; cere, 

 orbits, legs and feet reddish; claws nearly white. Length 11 '5, 

 wing 97 in. In the female the head, nape and under parts are dull 

 chestnut ; upper parts ash-grey, barred with black on the mantle 

 and tail : length 12 in., wing 10 in. The young bird resembles the 

 female, but the throat is whitish, and the rufous tint is less pro- 

 nounced ; the under parts are streaked with brown, and the outer 

 tail-feathers are barred on both webs. 



