38 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



The Indian name, Turumti, appears to owe its origin to JiiV' 

 wntai, given by Pallas as the Calmuc name of the Hobby. 



A very nearly allied species of Merlin exist in Africa, F. ri/fcolUs, 

 Sw., chicqueroides, A. Smith, long considered as the same, but now 

 recognized as distinct by Hartlanb and others. Kanp., P. Z. S. 

 1851, calls it a sub-species of the other, differing in its darker 

 colours, more striped head, and with the cheek stripe darker 

 and more distinct. 



Gen. TiNNUNCULUS, Vielll. 



Of small size ; bill as in Faico ; wings moderate, or rather long, 

 with the first and second quill emarginated ; tail long, rounded, 

 tarsus somewhat lengthened, stout, with a series of large hexagonal, 

 scales in front ; feet small ; outer and inner toes nearly equal, 

 claws sub-equal; plumage soft. 



The Kestrils form a well-marked gronp of small Falcons, easily 

 recognised by a peculiar style of coloration. The sexes, when 

 adult, generally differ remarkably in colour. They are fuund all 

 over the world. The falconine structure is less strongly marked, 

 the sternum is weaker, and their habits proportionally less rapa- 

 cious and more insectivorous. 



17. Tinnunculus Alaudarius, Briss. 



Falco, apud BuissON — F. tinnunculus, L. — Sykes, Cat. 13 — Jer- 

 DON, Cat. 31 — Horse., Cat. 11— Blyth, Cat. 69 — F. interstinctus, 

 M'Clell,P.Z.S.1839~P.E. 401, 411— Gould, Birds of Europe, 

 pi. 26. — Narzl (the female), iV«?-^awa^ (the male) Hind., in the South 

 of India — Khermulia or Kurrontia^ in the North — Tondala miichi 

 gedda, Tel., i. e. Lizard-killing Kite, — also Tondala doshi gadu. 



The Kestril. 



Descr. — Female (and young male). Above of a reddish vina- 

 ceous colour, with long dark stripes on the head and neck, broadish 

 bars on the back and wing coverts; tail with numerous dark bars, 

 and a broader one at the end, white tipped; cheek stripe dark, of 

 small extent; ears hoary; plumage beneath reddish ochraceous, 

 with numerous and close brown spots. 



