Mr. T. Ayres on the Ornithology of Transvaal. 283 



[In this specimen the feathers of the under surface of the 

 body have no white bases ; I have taken from it the following 

 measurements : — 



—J. H. G.] 



Melierax gabar (Daud.). Gabar Hawk. 



Male, adult, Limpopo river^ 26th May, 1884. Iris and 

 tarsus red. 



This bird was very busy amongst the rough-chambered 

 nests of the Red-billed Weaver, Textor erythrorhynchus, and 

 was seen to enter six in succession, no doubt in quest of 

 young birds ; but his chance of success would have been very 

 much greater had he made his search three months later. 



AcciPiTER MiNULLUs (Daud.). Little African Sparrow- 

 hawk. 



Female, adult, Limpopo river, 11th August, 1885. 



This little Hawk was chasing with wonderful rapidity and 

 power of twisting and turning, amongst the branches of 

 some high trees, a small Finch which had the greatest diffi- 

 culty in escaping, and probably would not have done so had 

 not the Hawk caught sight of me as I was standing motion- 

 less and watching the chase, when it immediately gave up 

 the pursuit, but settled Avithin easy range of my gun. 



377. NisAETUS PENNATus (GmcL). Booted Eagle. 



Female, Rustenburg, 12th February 1884. Total length 

 in the flesh 19| inches. Iris hazel ; bill slate-colour, but with 

 the base and gape yellow; feet yellow. Was shot while 

 feeding on a hedgehog which it had apparently just killed. 



[The specimen sent was in the pale phase of plumage, 

 very similar to a male from France and a female from 

 Morocco, both preserved in the Norwich Museum. I find 

 myself unable to recognize the several allied subspecies into 

 which N. pennatus is by some ornithologists subdivided. — 

 J. H. G.] 



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