birds, and in the third portions of a lizard and different parts of
coleopterous insects.”
Mr. T. Vanzeller has lately procured a specimen in the Transvaal,
and Mr. Andersson gives the following note on the species in Damara
Land -
** This exquisite little Falcon may be regarded as very rare in both
Great Namaqua Land and Damara Land, especially in the latter,
where I have only seen it once or twice; altogether I have probably
not come across above eight individuals, three-fourths of which I
have secured.
“ It is always met with in pairs and usually perches on bushes or on
the lower and middle branches of small trees, though T have seen it
on the topmost boughs of lofty trees. 1 never saw it soar like other
Falcons; it is not shy, and when disturbed it never moves further
than to the next conspicuous tree or bush. It feeds on small birds,
mice, lizards, and coleopterous insects, the latter being, I apprehend,
its chief food.'” I
Adult male.—Above blueish-grey, the head darker, the hind neck
and upper tail coverts pure white; quills and tail brown, spotted on
the outer and barred on the inner web with white, the secondaries
and tail-feathers also tipped with white; forehead, sides' of face and
underparts white ; under-wing coverts white with indistinct brown
cross-bars on some of the lower ones; bill yellow, horn-coloured at
tip ; cere, orbits and feet yellow, claws horn brown. Total length
7-5 inches; culmen,' 0'45; wing, 4‘6 ; tail, 3‘2 ; tarsus, l ‘,2. (Sharpe,
Gat. B. i., p. 370.)
Adult female.—Differs from the male in having the interscapulary
regions and scapulars deep vinous chesnut. Total length, 7.5
inches; culmen, 0 5 ; wing, 4-8; tail, 3-0; tarsus, 1-15.
The immature male resembles the female.
Fig. Smith, HI. Zool. S. Afr. Aves, pi. U (male). Sclater, Ibis,
1861, pi. xiii. (female).
4 9 . F alco communis. Peregrine Falcon.
Falco peregrinus, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 19 (1867).
Mr. Sclater quotes a single specimen as having been received from
Natal; we have not seen it from within the limits of the Cape Colony,
where the next species seems to take its place. Mr. Gurney tells us,
however, that the Norwich Museum possesses a specimen from
thence, as well as one from Natal, the latter being probably the same
individual as that mentioned by Mr. Sclater.
Prof. Barboza du Bocage states that it has been procured by
Senor Anchieta on the Coroca River in Mossamedes, but he does
not state whether it was the large Peregrine of Europe, or the small
Falco minor of southern Africa, which some ornithologists do not
consider specifically distinct from the ordinary species.
General colour above; deep blueish lead-colour, barred with black;
crown of the head and upper part of neck nearly black; greater
wing-feathers dusky, with oval white spots. Tail similar to the back,
and much barred; beneath each eye a patch of black. Under parts,
from chin to bottom of the breast, yellowish white, a brownish streak
down the shaft of each feather. Thighs and remainder of body dirty
white, barred with deep-brown. Bill blue; cere yellow; iris brown.
The description and measurement are taken from a fine European
female in the South African Museum. A young male is more rufous
ou the back, and the under parts more mottled with brown. It is
likewise much smaller.
Fig. Gould, B. Gt. Br. part 1.
50. F alco m ino r . South African Peregrine Falcon.
This Falcon seems to have a pretty general range over the colony,
several specimens having reached us from different localities. We
have likewise seen it on the wing several times near Cape Town, and
purchased one in the flesh which was being carried through the town
by a shooter. Mr. Atmore writes from Swellendam : “ It is not rare
about here, but very difficult to get, except in the breeding time,
when they come after the poultry.”
Victorin notices it from Rondebosch and also from the Knysna.
Dr. Atherstone records it from the neighbourhood of Grahams-town,
and a specimen was obtained by Mr. Gueinzius in Natal. Mr.
Andersson writes :—“ I never observed but one individual of this
Falcon, which I obtained at Objinere about two days journey from
Objimbinque;” but he subsequently obtained a specimen in
Ondonga.
Mr. J . Kotze found this species at the Berg River nesting in trees.
The eggs generally three, are more or less spotted and stained with
dry blood colour on a dirty cream coloured ground ; they however
vary very much. Axis, 1" 9 '" , Diam. 1" 4'".