FEB. 1897. EAST AFRICAN COLLECTION OF BIRDS ELLIOT. 57 



$ Daboije. Iris golden yellow. Feet gray. 



9 Daboije. Iris golden yellow. Feet gray. 



We only met with this species once at our second camp on the 

 return journey north of Silo Plain. The pair flew into a tree 

 near where the tents were being pitched, and were secured by 

 Mr. Dodson. 



ORDER ACCIPITRES. 

 FAM. FALCONID^:. 



95. Astur sphenurus. 



Falco sphenurus. Riipp. Neue. Wirb., p. 42 (1835). Sharpe, 

 Cat. B. Brit. Mus., Vol. I, p. 112 (1874). 



$ juv. Hullier. Eyelids, cere, iris, and legs yellow. 

 A young male of this small hawk, the only one procured. 



96. Melierax poliopterus. 



Melierax poliopterus. Cab., in Decken's Reis., Vol. Ill, Vog., 

 p. 40 (1869). Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus., Vol. I, p. 88 (1871). 



$ Laferug. Cere yellow. Iris reddish brown. Legs orange. 



We saw this bird only occasionally. It was the single species 

 among rapacious bird, that I had ever heard singing. Its voice 

 is musical, and the specimen obtained was perched on a branch 

 near the path we were traveling and attracted my attention by 

 the low song it was, I might almost say, warbling. It was a 

 curious accomplishment for a hawk to possess, and seemed out 

 of place, considering the character of the race to which the per- 

 former belonged. 



97. Aquila rapax. 



Falco rapax. Temm., Plan. Col., Vol. I, pi. 455 (1828). 



Aquila rapax. Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus., Vol. I, p. 242(1874). 



Id., Proc. Zool. Soc., p. 507(1895). 



9 Deregodleh. Iris gray. Cere and feet yellow. 



This fine eagle was very common, and quite tame, coming 

 about the camp, often alighting close to the zareba and feeding 

 upon any scraps of meat thrown away. It did not seem to be at 

 all particular about the quality or state of its food, and would 

 often drive the vultures away from a mess which it would be ex- 

 treme courtesy to call anything else save carrion. It must be 

 regarded in the light of a useful scavenger, and I doubt if it ever 

 attempts to kill anything itself. 



