in partial plumage, having the blue tail of the adult male, but retaining
the rufous head of the old female dress*
Fig, Sharpe and Dresser, B. Eur. part 2.
56. CERCHirans RtjpicOLA. South African Kestrel.
Tinnunculus rupicolus, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 22 (1867).
This little Hawk is common all oVer the country as far as we have
been. Victorin met with it in the Karroo in January, and at the
Knysna in March, and Mr. Rickard informs us that it is common
both at East London and Port Elizabeth. Mr. Ayres found it in
Natal, where it is not rare and breeds, but he has not yet procured
it in the Transvaal, where its place appears to be filled by 0. rupico-
loides. Indeed it seems to be a more western bird in its range, as
it, has not been found in the Zambesi region, but Mr. Andersson says
that it is very common in Damara and Great Namaqua Land, where
it “ is one of the few Hawks which remain in Damara Land during
the dry season.” Senor Anchieta has shot this Kestrel at Huilla in
Mossamedes, and at Capangombe in the interior of the same country.
It extends its range likewise into Angola proper, as Mr. Monteiro
procured it in the neighbourhood of Ambriz.
This species takes the place in this colony of the Windhover of
Europe, which it resembles closely in all its habits, hovering in the
air over small birds, mice, &c., and falling suddenly from a considerable
height upon its quarry. It nests in trees (or the high bushes
which do duty for trees in this country), and its eggs, 3—5, are
similar in colour to those of the European birds, having a reddish-
brown ground, profusely spotted with very dark marks of various
sizes and shapes. They, however, vary extremely, even to being pale
cream-colour, with the minutest possible spots of brown. In size
they also vary, but the shape is pretty constant, being rather round.
Axis, 1" 7'"; diam. 1" 4 '" . Mr. Henry Buckley observes:—
fc My eggs vary from 1 *57 X 1*25 inches, to 1*7 X 1*35, and are white
in colour, suffused all over with very pale brown. My specimens are
very much paler than those of the English Kestrel.”
Adult.—Head, back, and sides of neck dull blue grey : back, belly,
and shoulders deep rufous, with irregular black spots. Breast rufous,
with black lines. Primary wing-feathers black; secondaries blackish,
crossed with irregular rufous bands. Tail blueish grey, banded with
CERCHNEIS RUPICOLOIDES. 6 3
black, all its feathers broadly tipped with white, next to a broad
black bar. Cere round eye bright-yellow; cere of bill and legs
orange-yellow; irides brown. Length of fresh-killed male, l l ' /
(female, 1 4 '') ; wing, 1 0 " ; tail, 7 ” .
This Kestrel is distinguished from G. tinnunculus by its uniform
blue side-face.
Fig. Sharpe, P. Z. S. 1 8 7 4 , pi. lxvii.
5 7 . Ce r c h n e is ru p ico lo id e s . Large African Kestrel.
Tinnunculus rupicoloides, Layard, B. S. Afr. p. 2 3 ( 1 8 6 7 ) .
This Kestrel is very rare near the colony, but becomes more common
towards the Zambesi, where Mr. Chapman procured it in somfe
abundance. Mr. Andersson observes that it is “ very sparingly met
with in Damara Land, but is a little more frequent as one approaches
the Orange River; it is also found at Lake N’garni.” Mr. Ayres
says that it is one of the commonest Falcons in the Transvaal.
Sir A. Smith gives the West Coast of South Africa, near the Orange
River, and the interior to the north of that, as the chief habitat of
this species; and states that unlike its congener, G. rupicola, it
never perches on rocks. Mr. Henry Jackson has sent it with its
eggs, from Nel’s Poort. The eggs resemble those of the preceding,
but are rather larger. The nest was found in a tree, and the parent
bird shot from it. It appears to be not uncommon in the Karoo,
Mr. Jackson having sent numerous eggs £ and specimens. He
writes, “ this Kestrel was very rare here until quite lately. It has
now quite taken the place of G. rupicola, which was formerly very
plentiful, but is now seldom seen.” Dr. Exton says, “ it inhabits the
open Yeldt, perching on isolated trees and stumps.” He found
it in considerable numbers in the interior. Eggs in Mr. Henry
Buckley’s collection are stated by him to measure 1*75 X 1*35
inches, and are white, blotched all over with pale brown.
Head, neck, shoulders, and scapulars pale tawny, clouded with pale
rufous; head and neck with black longitudinal stripes; back,
shoulders, and scapulars have broad, brown transverse bars. Throat
and under parts pale fawn; breast and belly striped brown; quill-
feathers brown, inner vanes banded pale rufous; tail brown, with
about six white transverse bands; tips of feathers white. Bill blueish
black; base of lower mandible yellow. Length, 1 6 " ; wing, 1 2 ” ;
tail, 8 '.