24.2 Col. R. Meiuertzliagen on the [I'^i^j 



Dead animals were invariably refused by this bird, whose 

 diet consisted of rats, lizards, etc. 



The flight is graceful but heavy, and its peculiar 

 markings on the upper and under surface of the wing, 

 which, when in flight, looks as though a white circular 

 patch has been painted there, gave it the local name of 

 the Aeroplane Bird among the troops. Individuals varied 

 much in colour, some being dark throughout and others 

 having an almost white head wath cream-coloured body and 

 tail. It is more than likely that if a large series had been 

 collected, not only this race but Buteo ferox ferox as well as 

 Bideo h. zimmermanna' and rtipventer (desertorum), would 

 have been obtained, as they must pass this way on their 

 autumn passage. 



Circus seruginosus. 



C. (v. a)'ii(/hwsi(s (L.). 



An adult female was obtained near Ramleh on 2S. x. Wing 

 406 mm. The autumn passage at Rafa commenced on 21. xi., 

 when a few arrived, both young and adults being seen. A 

 bird noticed at Gaza on 25. xi. had an almost pure white 

 crown and nape, with apparently no trace of cream-colour. 



Sladen states that this species breeds near Yebna, which 

 would seem to be the case, as Tristram observed it in Palestine 

 throughout the year. 



Circus macrourus (^Gm.). 



An adult male and female were obtained at Rafa on 

 29. x. and 17. ix., with wings measuring 332 and 364 mm. 

 respectively. 



Only observed on autumn passage at Rafa from 9. ix. to 

 early November, when it was not common. A few^ re- 

 appeared at Rafa and in the coastal plain north of Gaza in 

 December and January'. 



Accipiter nisus. 



A. n. nisus (Jj.)- 

 Only observed as a winter visitor to the Lower Jordan 

 Valley, where it was not rare. A female obtained on 10. xi. 



