621 Lieut. C. ti. Fincli-Davies on [Ibis, 



56. Erythropus vespertinus (Linn.). Red-legged Kestrel. 

 This species appears to be rather rare in South Africa on 



tlie whole, and although Andersson recorded it as occurring 

 in Damaralaud in vast flocks in his time, I never met with 

 it there, but there is an adult ? specimen in the Transvaal 

 Museum from Windhuk, and another specimen, an adult r? 

 from the Pretoria district. These are the only South 

 African localities I know of. 



57. Erythropus amurensis (Radde). Eastern Red-legged 



Kestrel. 

 I have only met with this species in East Griqualand, 

 where it was not uncommon in certain years. I did not meet 

 A\ith it in the South- West Protectorate, but saw a specimen 

 of a young male shot by my friend, Major Thompson of 

 the S.A.M.C., at Tsumeh in the north of the Protectorate. 

 I have often noticed these associating with T. cenchris, 

 and much resembling the latter species in general habits, 

 except that I never saw them hovering and their flight 

 is quicker, more dashing, and falcon-like. I once observed 

 a flock which were feeding on some cockchafer- like flying 

 beetles, dashing about and generally behaving much like 

 huge Swifts. At other times I have seen them in the native 

 corn-lauds sitting on the heads of the late ripening corn 

 (millet), occasionally flying ofi* and seizing passing insects 

 after the manner of a Flycatcher. One evening fairly late, 

 I saw a number settled in the middle of a road running 

 about and picking up some objects or other, perhaps 

 termites. They appear most active fairly late in the after- 

 noon, and are often still flying about when it is nearly dark. 

 I have nothing to note with regard to plumage-changes. 



58. Hypotriorchis subbuteo (Linn.). European Hobby. 



I have not met with the Hobby in South Africa^ where it 

 never appears to be common, while most of those which visit 

 South Africa on migration appear to be young birds, and I 

 have never seen an adult South African killed specimen. 



