Mr. Layard's ' Birds of South Africa.'' 141 



difference in coloration between the two is certainly very marked, 

 as may be seen by those who have the opportunity of examining 

 the fine adult specimens of each that are now living in the 

 Gardens of the Zoological Society of London. 



This question is discussed by Dr. Hartlaub, who cites various 

 authorities with reference to it (Orn. Westafr. p. 7) ; but 

 further observations (especially on the birds in their wild state) 

 appear to be requisite for its satisfactory solution. 



24. Falco peregrinus, Gmel. Peregrine Falcon. 



Mr. Layard has included under the synonyms of this species 

 F. barbarus, Linn. ; but the latter is, without doubt, specifically 

 distinct, as was clearly pointed out by Mr. Salvin (Ibis, 1859, 

 p. 184, pi. vi.). 



The Norwich Museum, in addition to the specimen of F. 

 peregrinus from Natal to which ]\Ir. Layard refers, also pos- 

 sesses an example from the Cape of Good Hope. Both these 

 birds are adult females. 



28. Chicquera ruficollis (Swains.). African Red-necked ^ ,^^ 



Falcon. 



Vierthaler, who met with this species somewhat plentifully 

 in Sennaar, states (Naumannia, 1852, pt. ii. pp. 48, 49) that 

 it usually perches, and always breeds, on the Dhelleb, Dolleb, or 

 Debbel Palm [Borassus cethiopicus) ; and Dr. von Heuglin, who 

 also observed this Falcon on the upper part of the Blue Nile, 

 refers to its preference for this tree (Ibis, 1860, p. 409). Both 

 Vierthaler {lac. cit.) and his companion. Dr. A. E. Brehm 

 (J. f. 0. 1858, p. 408), remark that Columba guinea also selects 

 the same species of palm for its nest, and that a pair of these 

 Falcons and a pair of Guinea Pigeons frequently have their nests 

 on the same tree, and live as neighbours in apparent amity ; 

 both species were found thus in Sennaar in the mouth of Janu- 

 ary 1851. 



According to the account given by Sir Andrew Smith in the 

 * South African Quarterly Journal ' (vol. i. No. 3, April-June 

 1830, pp. 233-235), both the manner and the season of breeding 

 adopted by this Falcon in South Africa somewhat differ from its 

 habits in these respects as observed in Sennaar. 



