258 Rev. H. B. Tristram on the Ornithology of Palestine. 



common near the moutlis of the ravines east of Jordan, we 

 never observed it in the vast forests of Gilead and Ajlun. It is 

 in high repute among the Bedouins for the chase, and trained 

 birds are as vakiable as in North Africa. But though we fre- 

 quently saw it in the possession of Arab Sheikhs of high degree, 

 we never had an opportunity of witnessing the sport, as we only 

 met them on the march. 



Falco sacer, Gmel. This splendid Falcon only came once 

 under my observation in the oak forests of Bashan, where I was 

 close to it, as it perched in a tree overhead. I did not add it 

 to our trophies, having only two charges of dust-shot in my 

 gun, for which, of course, it cared but little. It seems to prefer 

 the wide plains and deserts to the cliffs of the Jordan valley. 

 The Sheikhs of the Beni Sakk^r (sons of the Falcon) make it a 

 point of distinction to possess several of these birds trained for 

 the chase of the gazelle, and the distinction between it and the 

 Lanner is well known to all the Arabs. None of them seem to 

 be aware of or to recognize the Peregrine of the coast. 



Falco ELEONORiE, Gene. This bird was several times seen 

 by us in spring, but not in winter ; and a pair were found breed- 

 ing in the Bukaa, near the village of Zebdany, in the beginning 

 of June. Here, as in Algeria, it seems to be the very latest of 

 all Raptors in its nidification. 



Hypotriorchis subbuteo (L.). Another summer visitor, 

 and rather late in its return ; confined, so far as we observed, to 

 the wooded districts, and resorting to the olive-yards and open 

 glades. 



Hypotriorchis iESALON (L.). Not at all uncommon, but 

 very solitary during the winter season. We often saw it on the 

 coast and in the central plains. The last seen was shot in 

 Bashan on the 11th of March. 



Erythropus vespertinus (L.). This pretty little Hobby is 

 a summer migrant, but returns earlier than the common species. 

 The absence of suitable woods is probably the reason of its being 

 a scarce bird, and confined to the central districts. 



