42 JOTTINGS ABOUT BIRDS. 



but according to Loche a few remain to breed in 

 the mountain districts. 



1 80. THE RED-FOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus, 

 Linnaeus, may pass Algeria on migration, but little 

 appears to be known of the circumstance. The 

 assertion by Loche that it breeds in the country is 

 not supported by recent investigation. 



1 8 1. THE KESTREL Falco tinnuncu/us, Linnaeus, 

 is a widely distributed and abundant species in 

 Algeria. It probably undertakes an internal mi- 

 gration towards the Libyan Desert in autumn, for 

 Canon Tristram states that he met with it in the 

 oases and in the dayats ; but I, in summer, did 

 not observe it south of El Kantara on the northern 

 borders of the Sahara. It is increased in numbers 

 in winter by migrants from Europe. 



182. THE LESSER KESTREL Falco cenchris, Nau- 

 mann, is a summer visitor to Algeria, and breeds 

 sparingly ; it is most common on passage from and 

 to its winter quarters in South Africa in spring and 

 autumn. Taczanowski met with it in one locality 

 only. 



183. THE EAGLE OWL Bubo maximus^ Gerini, is 

 a resident in Algeria, where, however, according to 

 Taczanowski, it is rare, and found chiefly in the 

 mountains and forests where it breeds. It may 



