DO 



8 



numbers. A few individuals sometimes extend their migrations to the colony of the Cape of 

 Good Hope." 



Mr. Layard has kindly sent us the following note : — 



" Falco cenchris appears to be getting more and more common in South Africa every year. 

 About the years 1859 and 1860 it first made its appearance in the colony, following the flights 'of 

 locusts. Mr. Cairncross, of Swellendam, procured a pair in 1860, and sent them to me as a 

 novelty. I am sure that, had they been in that neighbourhood before, my friend, who is a keen 

 collector, would have noticed them. Mr. Sclater, to whom I forwarded them, wrote that they 

 were the first he had seen from south of the equator. 



" In 1865 I saw a few perching on the telegraph poles and wires in the open country 

 between Swellendam and Caledon, from whence they swooped down on locusts, centipedes, and 

 such like bisects, as I ascertained from the contents of their stomachs. 



" On the 7th January, 1870, Mr. Cairncross wrote: — ' I counted to-day thirty-four examples 

 of F. cenchris drifting along over the street (at Swellendam), about 200 feet over head, going to the 

 westward. Locusts plentiful this year.' I fancy they are now permanently established as residents 

 in the colony. 



" Dr. Exton obtained it plentifully in the country north of Sechele's; ' they were harrying a 

 flight of locusts, taking them on the wing, striking the insects with the foot, and then carrying 

 them to their bills.' 



" From all I can gather from conversations with hunters and others, they seem abundant to 

 the north-eastward, in the locality described by Dr. Exton, and further towards the sea-coast on 

 the western side. It is not easy for the uneducated eye to distinguish between the Kestrel and 

 F. rupicolus, especially on the wing ; but all agree that there are two kinds of ' Wind-hovers,' a 

 large and a small one, so I conclude the small bird to be F. cenchris." 



In habits the Lesser Kestrel scarcely differs from the Common Kestrel, being, however, 

 more gregarious. To the excellent accounts above given we can add nothing, and shall conclude 

 by transcribmg Dr. Kriiper's notes made in South-eastern Europe. In his notes on the Orni- 

 thology of Greece he says : — 



" In Greece it is called Kipicivkoi and also KipK^veov. It is not found in all parts of the 

 country, particularly those parts at a great altitude, and is scarcely known in the mountain- 

 villages. It inhabits the plains near water. Here it is found numerously, as these places are 

 well supplied with insects, and particularly grasshoppers, which constitute its chief food. 

 Hovering in the air it perceives these in the grass, pounces on them, and soon rises again to 

 continue its search. It is a pretty sight to watch the Lesser Kestrel, particularly when they are 

 hunting in company ; and they are then an easy prey to the sportsman. It is easily recognizable 

 from afar by its continued loud cry, which sounds like the Greek word vevai (jSejSa/wc, ' yes, 

 certainly'). I first heard the cry of the Lesser Kestrel on the 12th April, 1858, when I landed 

 at Missolonghi, and was enjoying the hospitality of Dr. Nieder. As this bird nested in the 

 neighbouring roofs, I often heard the cry without knowing what it was, until my host told me 

 that it was uttered by the Lesser Kestrel. Throughout the summer I had opportunities of 

 observing this pretty bird at its nest. I reckon that it arrives late in March, for I observed the 

 first in 1860 on the 12th of March, and in 1859 on the 16th of March. The eggs are deposited 



