QUAILS 45 



cracked his whip, disturbing them before an exposure 

 could be made. We were ultimately only able to obtain 

 the accompanying picture of a pair. The male is in the 

 foreground, and the female is sitting with her back to 

 the camera. 



The Eastern Red-legged Kestrel (C. amurensis) is 

 readily distinguished from the other members of the 

 genus by its dark slate-black colour above and orange- 

 red coloured legs. 



It is a migrant from China and Japan, where it breeds, 

 passing through India to South Africa. 



The Kestrels are all gregarious at times, particularly 

 the migratory species ; or when swarms of locusts are 

 passing through a district. In the latter case the 

 Kestrels congregate into large flocks and follow the, 

 swarm, devouring large numbers of the locusts, and thus 

 rendering invaluable aid to the agriculturist. We have 

 also seen several of the species hawking flying ants on 

 the wing. Besides locusts and ants Kestrels feed on 

 lizards, mice, scorpions and spiders. 



Only one solitary case of mischief against a Kestrel 

 has come under our notice during many years of collect- 

 ing and observing. In dissecting a Larger Kestrel on 

 October 14, 1906, we found in its stomach, besides ants, 

 spiders and a lizard, the head and fragments of two fall 

 grown Bar-breasted Finches (Ortygospiza polyzona). 



QUAILS. 



The Quails are amongst the farmers' best friends, as 

 they feed on weed and grass seeds, insects of various 

 kinds and locusts. 



The Americans fully recognise the claims of the Quail 



