from Kroonstad, Orange Free State. 325 



2. Circus macrukus (Gmel.). Pallid Harrier. 



This Harrier is commou throughout this district during 

 our summer^ but disappears in winter ; they seem very par- 

 tial to locusts, and all the specimens I have had contained 

 locusts and grasshoppers in their crops. 



3. Circus cineraceus (Mont.). Montagu's Harrier. 

 This species is rarer here than the preceding one. 



4. NisAETUs BELLicosus (Daud.). Martial Hawk Eagle. 

 Male, immature; iris brown. 



This specimen Avas found in the nest 20th September, 1885, 

 and was kept alive till 15th February, 1886. The nest was 

 in a mimosa tree about four miles from Kroonstad, and over- 

 hung the river ; it was easily accessible and was formed of 

 sticks, apparently from the mimosa trees ; it must have 

 measured from four to five feet in diameter. The young 

 bird which the nest contained was all covered with white 

 down. I watched the nest carefully for about six weeks to 

 try to get the old birds, but in spite of all my attempts to 

 hide myself within shot, and although there were many other 

 trees and bushes close by, they always saw me and turned oif 

 to some other tree, where they sat and watched until I left; 

 I even tried by moonlight, but never got a chance. On one 

 occasion one of the old birds came so near that I could see a 

 full-grown hare in its claws, but it swerved off just as I was 

 going to shoot. 



On the edge of the nest and on the ground close to it were 

 skulls and bones of hares and meer-cats {Surlcata tetra- 

 dactyla) . 



When the young bird was almost ready to fly I took him 

 home and my wife reared him ; he sulked for a few days, 

 and raw meat had to be pushed down his throat, but after 

 about a week he took his food well, and eventually he became 

 so far tame as to let my wife go into his cage (a good large 

 one) and scratch his head, which he seemed to enjoy. When 

 he was about to be fed he would erect his crest and half open 

 his wings, giving vent to a low whistle ; his eyes being large 



SER. V. VOL. V. Z 



