.20 



following species (Tinnunculus cenchris). The number of nests we came across, without searching 

 for them, was enormous." 



With regard to its occurrence in North-eastern Africa, Captain Shelley considers it to be 

 " by far the most abundant Hawk in Egypt. On one occasion," he adds, " we saw at least a 

 hundred in a single group of palm-trees, attracted there, no doubt, by the locusts which were 

 passing in dense continuous clouds beneath them. These flights of locusts spread this year 

 (1870) throughout the country, clearing whole districts of every green crop as they passed." 



The following notes have been published by Dr. von Heuglin : — 



" In the northern portion of this country the Kestrel is sedentary, and breeds in spring 

 (between March and May) in ruins and rocks. In September and October they increase con- 

 siderably in numbers through the advent of migrants, which spread over Arabia, Nubia, Abyssinia, 

 and Eastern Sudan, and return early in the end of the winter. In Africa they feed chiefly on 

 grasshoppers, which in autumn and winter swarm all over the place ; and then the Kestrels may 

 be seen singly, or in flocks, often, indeed, in large companies, hovering on the steppes. They also 

 collect round the steppe-fires, where orthoptera, scared up by the flames, become an easy prey to 

 birds of prey, Bee-eaters, Rollers, Storks, &c. 



" The Kestrel which is sedentary in North-east Africa, is generally brighter-coloured than 

 the European bird, and has larger and blacker spots on the back, breast, and belly. The female 

 has the head darker reddish grey, and the band on the tail appears to be broader." 



Mr. Blanford, during the recent Abyssinian expedition, found it " common both in the 

 highlands and lowlands in the winter and spring. The bird abounded on the former as late as 

 April. None were observed in the Anseba valley in July and August." 



The Kestrel likewise occurs in Western Africa having been received from Senegambia, and 

 more recently sent from Fantee by Dr. Hinde, as recorded by Sharpe in his essays on the Orni- 

 thology of the Fantee country. The last collection sent by the late Mr. Andersson from Damara- 

 land contained a single skin of the Common Kestrel ; so that it would appear to be by no means 

 so southern a migrant as the Lesser Kestrel or Red-footed Falcon, though doubtless a few 

 individuals join the immense flocks of the latter birds which visit Southern Africa in the 

 winter. 



In the Azores the Kestrel is resident, and, curiously enough, does not vary like the Madeira 

 bird. Mr. J. G. Keulemans, who resided for some time in the above-mentioned island, has 

 favoured us with the following note : — 



" The Kestrel is very common on all the Cape- Verde Islands, and it may be seen on the 

 sea-shore as well as near the houses in the interior. I have often seen it on the tops of the 

 mountains, at a height of more than 5000 feet. It is a resident species, and I often received the 

 young birds. Its principal food is mice, grasshoppers, and beetles. In some localities, like the 

 plantations along the rivers of the island of St. Jago, many individuals are seen together, and 

 they are there generally very tame, while on the mountains of the other islands they seem to be 

 wild and shy. Though residing in a dry, mountainous, and sandy locality, there is not the 

 slightest difference in the colours between them and the Kestrel of Europe. The inhabitants of 

 the different islands call it Zebellinha; but on St. Jago the name is Falconha and Francelho. 

 The natives of all the islands eat the bird and much relish the flesh of the young." 



