154 LORD LILFORD 



true Peregrine which is common almost through- 

 out the coasts and islands of the Mediterranean, 

 and is Falco punicus of Le Yaillant and of 

 J. H. Gurney, Esq. (Ibis, 1882). I can see very 

 little difference between Falco barbarus (Salvin) 

 and this Red-naped Shahin (F. babylonicus) 

 except in size, but the latter is the prevalent 

 Eastern form. Salvin's F. barbarus seems to 

 be uncommon everywhere. I have seen a great 

 many F. punicus from Mogador, but only two 

 of F. barbarus. Falco babylonicus never has a 

 blue head. ... I have a fine male Saker, but 

 have little belief in this species for falconry in 

 this country; they require great open plains 

 to show themselves to advantage.' 



To Archibald Thorburn, F.Z.S. 1 



' Bournemouth : May 20, 1888. 



' Dear Mr. Thorburn, I quite see the force 

 of your remarks about the Berlin lithographic 

 firm as to heaviness and thickness of feather 

 lines, but I am on the whole fairly well satisfied 



1 This and the following letters to Mr. Thorburn show the keen 

 interest my brother took hi the ' Figures of British Birds,' and his 

 continual endeavour to have them as true to nature as possible. 



