1920.] Birds of Southern Palestine. 241 



F. t. riqncoheforniis Brehni. 



This is the hreeding race all round Gaza and Rafa, the 

 darker and richer upper parts easily distinguishing it 

 from thf^ typical migratory form. Males with wings of 243 

 and 24G mm. were obtained at Rafa on 25. vii. and 28. ix. 



Kestrels were breeding near Jericho in the middle of 

 March and near Acre, but no specimens were obtained. It 

 will be interesting to know how far into Palestine the 

 Egyptian race extends. 



Aquila heliaca. 



A. h. heliaca Sav. 



The Imperial Eagle is a sparse resident round Gaza and 

 Rafa, but from its conspicuous size is noted nearly daily on 

 the deserh 



Hieraetus pennatus (Gm.). 



A f(nnale Booted Eagle with white under parts was 

 killed near Ramleh on 3.i. Wing 381 mm. Another, 

 now in the Cairo Zoological Gardens, was obtained at the 

 same place. 



Buteo ferox. 



B. f. cirtensis (Lev.). 



An immature male was obtained on 14. ix. at Rafa and an 

 adult female at Hhellal on 10. ix. Wings 366 and 393 mm. 

 respectively. These specimens have been compared with a 

 large series from North-west Africa, and there is no doubt 

 that this race extends at any rate to southern Palestine as a 

 migrant. 



None were noticed in snmmer. First seen at Rafa on 

 8. ix., and after 24. ix. large numbers arrived. About 8. xi. 

 a further influx arrived, and as many as twenty could be seen 

 sitting together roosting in the early mornings. There was 

 a marked decrease about mid-December, but near Gaza on 

 IS.xii. the telegraph-lines were thick with them, as many 

 as forty -five being counted in a mile. 



SER. XI. VOL. II. R 



