Reports and transactions (Cardiff Naturalists' Society), 1900-1981

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES
FOR 1902 AND 1903.
By T. W. PROGER AND D. R. PATERSON.
Red-footed Falcon. Falco vespertinus. A specimen was
shot on June 1st, 1903, by the keeper at St. Fagans near the
pheasant coops. It was a male in full plumage. Another bird,
probably the female, was observed near the same place shortly
afterwards. This species is sometimes misnamed the Orange-
legged Hobby, though it is more nearly akin to the Kestrel.
According to Howard Saunders, it is merely a summer-visitor
to Europe. Its appearance in the British Isles was first
noticed in 1830, and subsequently about thirty specimens have
been obtained. It has occurred in Pembrokeshire and Denbigh-
shire. Most of the authenticated occurrences have been in
spring or summer, with a few in autumn, and exceptional
instances in the winter months. The Red-footed Falcon
breeds in Silesia and in the Danubian provinces and Hungary;
westward it is only a straggler. Its food consists chiefly of
insects and of lizards and field-mice. Its flight resembles that
of a Kestrel, and it usually seeks its prey in the evening.
Great Bustard. Otis tarda. A perfect specimen of this
rare bird was shot December 2oth, 1902, by a farmer near
Pontardawe, who thought it was a wild goose. This bird is
now preserved and in the possession of Mr. Arthur Gilbertson,
Glanrhyd, Pontardawe. It was exhibited for a short time in
the Welsh Museum, Cardiff. This fine species formerly bred in
this country, and formed a striking object in the landscape
but the enclosure of waste land and the increase in the popula-
tion led to its gradual passing away. The eggs were last taken