Collection of Birds from the Mediterranean. 179 



Navarino. — Kestrels were frequenting, in company with 

 Alpine Swifts, a rocky islet about 20tli July. 



Malta. — A few seem to be resident, as the species was 

 observed during winter and summer in the same haunts. 

 Others pass through on migration. 



Slcihj. — Breeding plentifully in the Cavas. A nest of 

 four half incubated eggs was found on 1st June. 



N.B. — The Lesser Kestrel {Falco naumanni) was not 

 identified to the eastward of Malta. 



Falco vespertinus L. 



In Egypt the only specimen identified for certain (obtained) 

 was a female resting in a tree at Port Said on 28th October. 



In Malta, on 23rd April, at sunset a number of Falcons 

 coming from the southward stopped to form a gathering, 

 wheeling around about 600 feet above the ground. When 

 the last of the party had come up, the whole concourse, 

 numbering about 200, descended and passing close overhead 

 were seen to be nearly all Falco vespertinus (many fine dark 

 males) with a few Kestrels. The Red-footed Falcons Avere 

 readily distinguishable from the Kestrels by being more 

 thick'^et, like miniature Peregrines, short and broad. It was 

 not possible in the dusk to follow these birds far, but their 

 actions gave the impression that they were breaking their 

 journey, and intended to spend the night at Malta. 



ACCIPITER NISUS (L.). 



In Egypt Sparrow- Hawks appeared at the end of October, 

 and for a month were often seen near Port Said, sometimes 

 several together. These were evidently only passing by, but 

 one example seen near Damanhour in mid-December shewed 

 that some Sparrow-Hawks remained during the winter. 



In Crete the species was observed on 3rd March, but not 

 identified for certain later. 



At Platea Sparrow-Hawks were very plentiful in winter, 

 but were not observed during a short visit in July. The fol- 

 lowing incident took place near Platea. On 17th December, 

 shortly before sunrise, a small hawk rose from some thick 

 bushes and gave an easy shot against the eastern sky. It 



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