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259. " Barbary " Falcon. Falco pelegrinoides Temminck. 



Falco habylonicus. Shelley, p. 189. 



Not uncommon, and probably resident in Lower, Middle, and 

 Upper Egypt. It breeds on the Pyramid of Dahshur, Middle Egypt. 



Length about ITj inches. Nape of neck marked with rufous; 

 upper parts slate grey ; under parts rufous buff spotted and 

 barred with black. Chin, throat, and upper breast usually 

 unspotted in the adult. Much resembles a very small peregrine, 

 but has rufous on the nape. 



260. Hobby Falcon. Falco subbuteo Linnaeus. 



Falco suhbiifeo. Shelley, p. 192. 



Fairly abundant in spring and early autumn. 



Length about 13 inches. Forehead creamy buff ; upper 

 parts dark slate colour, with a huffish patch on nape ; thighs 

 rufous buff ; moustachial stripe and ear coverts black ; rest of 

 under parts creamy rufous striped with black ; inner web of 

 flight feathers mottled with rufous buff. 



261. Merlin Falcon. Falco cBsalon Tunstall. 



Falco oBsalon. Shelley, p. 191. 



A very abundant winter visitor in Lower Egypt and less 

 so in Upper and Middle Egypt. 



Length about 11 inches. Upper parts bluish grey, each 

 feather having a darker centre ; a collar of rufous feathers on 

 nape of neck ; under parts white and rufous white streaked and 

 spotted with brown ; tail barred with dusky black bars, the 

 end tipped with white. 



262. Red-legged Falcon. Falco vespertinus vespertinus Linnaeus. 



Fako vespertinus. Shelley, p. 193. 



Passes through Egypt in considerable numbers during both 

 migrations. 



Length about 11 inches. Entire plumage of the male slate 

 grey, with abdomen, thighs, and under-tail coverts rust red. 

 Females and young birds lack the grey plumage and are browner 

 above, rufous buff below, streaked with dusky. 



263. Sooty Falcon. Falco concolor Temminck. 



Falco concolor. Shelley, p. 192. 



A resident, in small numbers in Lower and Upper Egypt. 



Length 14 inches. Entire plumage pale slate grey ; lighter 

 on the upper parts ; cere and legs yellow ; bill dull bluish ; 

 iris brown. Sexes alike. 



