Expedition to the Eastern Canary Islands. 257 



Tyto flammea gracilirostris. Slender-billed Barn-Owl. 



Tyto f. gracilirostris Hartert ; Bannerinan, Part I. pp. 61, 

 62, 8i, m. 



The Eastern Canary Island Barn-Owl is an exceedingly 

 rare species found on the islands of Fuerteventuraj Lan- 

 zarotCj and Allegranza. 



The example from the last-named island is very dark in 

 colouring, but in other respects is similar to those from the 

 main islands, and it must be remembered that considerable 

 variation in colour exists individually amongst the whole 

 group of Tyto flammea. It is always a difficult question 

 to determine how plentiful or otherwise birds such as this 

 may be. Nocturnal species are usually credited with being 

 " very rare '^ on account of their being so seldom met Avith 

 in broad dayligbt ! In the case of this particular species, 

 however, I believe the report to be correct. In every village 

 which we passed through I made diligent enquiries after 

 Owls. The islanders all appeared to know the '' Lechusa/^ 

 as this species is called, but one and. all affirmed that it was 

 now much scarcer than in former years. 



Specimens were obtained from Lanzarote and Alle- 

 granza. 



Bill light horn-colour; iris black; feet dark buff, claws 

 black. 



Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides. Barbary Falcon. 



Falco p. pdegrinoides Temm ; Bannerman, Part I. pp. 58, 

 61, 62, 77, 78, 82, ? 83. 



Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides, Hartert, Vog. pal. Faun. ii. 

 p. 1(51. 



This grand bird — the Falco barharus of former writers on 

 the Canaries — was not seen until w^e reached Moutaiia 

 Clara. On ihis little island a pair was resident, and the 

 birds were seen on several occasions (vide Part I. pp. 7/-78). 

 I again saw a single bird on the Roque del Oucste, which, 

 however, was probably one of the pair from Montana Clara. 

 On my return journey through Lanzarote I procured a fine 

 specimen which had been shot Avhile chasing the tame 



SER. X. VOL. II. 8 



