FALCONIDJE. 15 



then often found in company with the myriads of 

 Erythropus vespertinus, Tinnunculus rupicolus,Milvus mi- 

 grans, &c. which appear nearly simultaneously. During 

 its temporary visit to Damara Land its chief food con- 

 sists of locusts and white ants, which usually abound 

 during the rainy season. 



The irides are dark brown, the cere greenish yellow, 

 the bare skin round the eye yellowish, the legs and toes 

 clear yellow. 



Average dimensions of two females : — 



in. lin. 



Entire length . . 13 4 



Length of folded wing 10 8 



„ tarsus 15 



„ middle toe ... .15 



„ tail 5 11 



„ bill 11 



[The Hobby appears to occur in Ovampo Land as well as 

 in Damara Land, a specimen from Ondonga being comprised in 

 Mr. Andersson's last collection. — Ed. J 



21. ErjrthropuS Vespertinus (Linn.). Western Eed-footed Hobby. 



Fcdco ruflpes, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 23. 



Fako vespertimis, Hartlaub's Orn. West-Africa's, No. 738. 



Erythropus vespertinus, Gurney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, 



p. 2. 

 Falco 1-wfipes, Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 391. 

 Erythropus vespertinus, Gray's Hand-list of Birds, No. 213. 

 Falco vespertimis, Sharpe & Dresser's Birds of Europe, pi. 1. 



This pretty Falcon strongly resembles the Hobby both 

 in form and habits, but is much more numerous; it 

 usually arrives in Damara and Great Namaqua Land 

 about the rainy season, and again retires northwards 

 upon the approach of the dry season. During these 



