FALCONID^. 15 



then often found in company with the myriads of 

 Erythropus vespertinus, Tinnunculus rupicolus,Milvus mi- 

 grans, &c. which appear nearly simultaneously. During 

 its temporary visit to Damara Land its chief food con- 

 sists of locusts and white ants, which usually abound 

 during the rainy season. 



The hides are dark brown, the cere greenish yellow, 

 the bare skin round the eye yellowish, the legs and toes 

 clear yellow. 



Average dimensions of two females : 



in. lin. 



Entire length 13 4 



Length of folded wing 10 8 



tarsus 15 



middle toe 15 



tail 5 11 



bill 11 



[The Hobby appears to occur in Ovampo Land as well as 

 in Damara Land, a specimen from Ondonga being comprised in 

 Mr. Andersson's last collection. ED.] 



21. Erythropus vespertiims (Linn.). Western Red-footed Hobby. 



Falco rufipes, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 23. 



Falco vespertinus, Hartlaub's Orn. West- Africa's, No. 738. 



Erythropus vespertinus, Gurney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, 



p. 2. 



Falco rufipes, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 391. 

 Erythropus vespertinus, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 2 13. 

 Falco vespertinus , Sharpe & Dresser's Birds of Europe, pi. 1. 



This pretty Falcon strongly resembles the Hobby both 

 in form and habits, but is much more numerous; it 

 usually arrives in Damara and Great Namaqua Land 

 about the rainy season, and again retires northwards 

 upon the approach of the dry season. During these 



