The RED-FOOTED or EVENING FALCON (_Erythropus vespertinus_), one of
the most beautiful members of this group, inhabits Southern Europe. It
is distinguished from the Kestrels by the comparative shortness of its
beak and tail, and by the great variety observable in the plumage, which
differs not only with the sex but according to the age of the bird.
The male of this species is about twelve inches long and thirty inches
broad; the tail measures about five inches. The female is one inch and
a half longer and two inches broader than her mate. When the male is in
its full beauty the middle of the belly, hose, and under tail-covers
are of a bright rust red, the rest of the plumage being of an uniform
slate colour, the tail somewhat darker in hue than the other feathers.
The cere, the bare place round the eyes, and the feet are brick red; the
beak is yellow at its base and greyish blue towards the tip. The head and
nape of the female are light rust red, the rest of the body blueish grey,
striped with a darker shade upon the mantle and tail; the beard is brown,
but with this exception, the front of the throat and sides of the neck
are entirely white; the lower parts of the body are reddish, some of the
shafts of the feathers being streaked with brown; the cere, eye-rings,
and feet are orange. In the young birds the upper part of the body is
dark brown, having every feather bordered with reddish yellow; the tail
is of the latter colour, and marked with eleven or twelve dark streaks;
the belly is reddish white, and the bare spots are lighter than in the
female; the pupil of the eye is invariably brown.
The Red-footed Falcon inhabits the South-eastern parts of Europe and
Central Asia, and is but rarely seen in the western countries of our
continent; the extensive steppes of Hungary, Russia, and Asia must be
regarded as its actual habitat, and from these tracts it migrates about
August or September to India (it seldom visits either Egypt or Africa),
and returns to Europe early in the spring. So closely does this species
resemble the Kestrel in its movements, that when seen flying or perching
it is extremely difficult to distinguish the one from the other, and
the sound of their voices is almost identical; but when upon the ground
the Red-footed Falcon is more active than the Kestrel; it lives almost
entirely upon insects, and devours enormous numbers of grasshoppers,
butterflies, beetles, and dragon-flies, usually capturing its prey when
upon the wing. The eggs, four or five in number, are laid about May; they
are small and round, with a very thin, yellow shell, marked with various
spots of dark and light reddish brown. It is no uncommon circumstance for
a pair of these Falcons to seize upon a Magpie's nest; and as the owner
is generally not inclined to resign possession quietly, but calls loudly
to its companions for assistance, long and severe are the battles that
ensue. The young leave the nest about April, and are carefully trained
in the art of obtaining prey by their parents until such time as the
flock migrates. These birds are easily tamed, and cannot fail to attract
attention by their beauty and the affection with which they regard those
who show them kindness.