240 Ml". J. H. Gurney's List of a Collection of Birds 



They generally come here in September, and leave again in 

 March or April. Iris brown. 



15. Elanus melanopterus (Daud.). Black-winged Elanus. 

 Rare. Iris orange. The Caffres assert that it chases pigeons 



and catches them on the wing. This bird is frequently unsteady 

 in its flight, and its appearance then much resembles that of a 

 small sea-gull. It takes its prey (which consists principally of 

 rats) much in the same way as Tinnunculus rujncolus. They are 

 generally to be found in the open country, alighting on the tops 

 of low trees scattered over the " Veldt." 



16. Pernis apivorus (Linn.). Honey Pern. 



Very rare. The stomach of the specimen sent was filled 

 with a peculiar kind of wasp. Iris bright yellow ; legs also 

 yellow. 



[The example sent, an adult male, is the only instance which 

 has come to my knowledge of the occurrence of this species south 

 of the equator. — J. H. G.] 



17. AviciDA cucuLOiDEs (Sw.). African Pern. 

 Frequents the dense bush, and is extremely shy. When 



it first leaves the nest, the iris is a very light brown, but sub- 

 sequently becomes of a bright lemon-yellow ; the legs are light 

 yellow. 



18. Tinnunculus rupicolus (Daud.). Rock Kestrel. 

 Neither rare nor shy ; preys on small birds and rats, which 



it hunts on the wing, hovering over the high grass, remaining 

 many seconds stationary in the air. It chases the Milvus para- 

 situs and other large birds away from its station, attacking them 

 with great spirit, rising above them and then darting down on 

 their backs. It builds its nest on the sides of precipices in the 

 clefts. 



19. BuTEo J ARAL (Daud.). Jackal Buzzard. 



Shy, but not rare. They feed on insects (principally black 

 crickets and grasshoppers) and also on rats and bu-ds. They 

 frequently select a tree which stands alone, on the top of which 

 they perch, watching for their prey, which they take on the 



