354 RED-FOOTED FALCON. 
found in the south of Sweden, and as far north as lat. 65° in 
Finland ; but Dr. Menzbier thinks that it has only extended its 
migration to the northern provinces of Russia within the last fifty 
years. During the same period a gradual diminution in its numbers 
—as a breeding species—has taken place in the south, especially 
near Odessa, where immense flocks used to arrive early in April 
and afterwards disperse, reuniting in autumn previous to departure. 
On the steppes of Orenburg this decrease has partially coincided 
with remarkable immigrations of the Lesser Kestrel, previously a 
very rare bird there. The Red-footed Falcon breeds in Siberia as 
far as Veneseisk and even Lake Baikal; but eastward the repre- 
sentative is 7 amurensis (the adult male of which is white beneath 
the wing instead of grey), and this visits India. On migration our 
species is found in Asia Minor and South-eastern Europe ; while in 
the Danubian provinces and Hungary it breeds in considerable 
numbers ; but westward it is only a straggler, and in Spain it is rare, 
though it has visited the Canaries in spring. In winter it is found 
in Africa down to Damara Land. 
In May or June this species appropriates the old nest of a Crow, 
Magpie or Rook, in which it deposits 4-6 eggs, of a yellower red 
than those of the Kestrel and smaller in size: measurements 1°45 
by 115 in. Five or six nests so occupied may be found in one 
tree; and in its general habits this Falcon is remarkably gregarious, 
numbers roosting close together. The food consists chiefly of 
dragonflies, large moths, beetles, grasshoppers and other insects ; 
also of lizards, shrews and field-mice. The flight resembles that of 
the Kestrel, and lacks the dash of that of the Hobby; the note is 
a Clear, shrill 42, often repeated, especially towards evening, at which 
time the bird usually seeks its prey. 
The adult male has the head, shoulders, breast and tail nearly 
black ; mantle and under wing-coverts lead-grey ; quills paler, with 
black shafts ; thighs, vent and under tail-coverts rich chestnut ; bill 
dark horn-colour; cere, orbits, legs and feet reddish; claws nearly 
white. Length 11°5; wing 9°7 in. The female has the head, nape 
and under wing-coverts chiefly chestnut ; mantle and tail slate-grey, 
with darker bars; principal quills brownish, barred on the inner 
webs with buffish-white ; length 12 in.; wing 10 in. The young bird 
has the throat and forehead whitish ; crown pale chestnut ; upper 
surface tinged with ruddy brown; tail-feathers distinctly barred, and 
the bars on the primaries tending to coalesce. The male soon 
begins to assume his dark plumage. 
