144 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



having been met with during the breeding-season in Kabylia, and 

 near Boghar, but I have no knowledge of its breeding anywhere in 

 Tunisia. In Southern Europe and the islands of the Mediterranean 

 the species appears to occur only as a winter migrant and one would 

 suppose the same to be the case as regards North Africa. 



In its habits the Merlin somewhat resembles the preceding species, 

 being remarkably bold and courageous, as well as strong on the wing, 

 and it does not hesitate to attack pigeons and other birds larger than 

 itself. Sandpipers and other shore-birds often fall victims to it, as 

 the Merlin is in the habit of frequenting sea-coast districts and 

 marshes, particularly during the autumn and spring, when actually on 

 passage. 



As in Europe, the Merlin was formerly used by the Arabs for 

 hawking, and being particularly docile and tractable in captivity, it 

 was held in high repute. At the present day, however, no Arab would 

 think of training one of these small Falcons. 



FALCO YESPERTINUS, Linnseus. 

 RED-FOOTED FALCON. 



Falco Yespertinus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 129 (1766) ; Malherbe, Faune 

 Orn. dc VAhj. p. 7 (1855) ; Erlanger J. f. 0. 1898, p. 475. 



Cerchneis vespertina, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. i, p. 443. 



Erythropus vespertinus, Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 69 (1867); 

 Koenig, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 154 ; id. J. f. 0. 1892, p. 340. 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from Tunis, North Tunisia. 



General colour of upper-parts plumbeous, Ijecoming almost black on 

 the tail and silvery grey on the quills ; underparts blue-grey, with the 

 exception of the thighs, crissum and under tail-coverts, which are rich 

 chestnut. 



Iris hazel ; bill yellowish-horn above and blackish at the tip ; cere, 

 naked skin round the eyes, and feet reddish-orange ; claws very pale brown. 



Total length 12 inches, wing 975, culinen 75, tarsus 1'20. 



Adult female, spring, from Tunis, North Tunisia. 



Forehead buff, becoming pale rufous on the crown and nape, slightly 

 striated with brown ; back, scapulars, and wing-coverts ash-grey, slightly 

 tinged on the upper-parts with rufous and barred with blackish ; quills 

 blackish-brown, barred with white on the inner webs ; chin and sides of the 



