FALCQ TINNUNCULUS. 195 



207. Falco vespertinus, Liunseus. The Western Red-footed 



Hobby. 



Favier confounded this insectivorous Falcon with the Hobby, 

 calling it a variety; he, however, gives a description which 

 identifies this species, and says "This variety is found near 

 Tangier in April." They are certainly not common there, and 

 said only to appear when there are locusts, which they follow 

 from the east. In 1874, on the 27th of April, I saw two near 

 Tangier ; shortly afterwards some were obtained by Olcese ; and 

 just at that time nights of locusts arrived. Curiously enough, in 

 1874, on the very same day in April I saw one close to Tangier, 

 and the next morning saw quantities of locusts as we were 

 crossing over to Gibraltar. 



On the Spanish side of the Straits one is recorded as having 

 occurred near Seville ; but they are in Andalucia only accidental 

 visitors. 



Claws yellowish white. 



Adult male. Uniform lead-grey, except reddish-chestnut thighs, vent, 

 and under tail-coverts; legs and feet red. 



Female. Above ash-grey, barred with bluish black ; head and nape 

 rufous ; below uniform dull chestnut. 



Young. Like female, but head, nape, and underparts streaked with 

 brown ; outside tail-feather with both webs barred. Length 11-12 inches. 



208. Falco tinnunculus, Linnaeus. The Common Kestrel. 

 Moorish. Bou-umcira. Spanish. Cernicalo. 



" Is both resident and migratory in Morocco. Those which 

 migrate cross to Europe in February and March, returning in 

 August and September. They nest by preference on old ruins 

 and walls." Favier. 



It is needless to say much about this Kestrel, so well known 

 in England. They are resident both in Morocco and Andalucia, 

 and are very common, more so in autumn and spring, nesting in 

 April on trees, rocks, and buildings. 



Adult male. Head, neck, lower back,, rump, and tail blue-grey, the latter 



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