ilashonaland Birds. 255 



cattle which had died of that disease. This, however, is 

 quite erroneous, and the idea was probal^ly originated by 

 the fact that the carcasses throughout the country were 

 enormously disproportionate to the number of Vultures. 



152. Gyps rceppelli. (Riippell's Griffon.) 

 Observed by Mr. Ayres. 



153. Otogyps auricularis. (Eared Vulture.) 

 Although common, this species is not nearly so plentiful 



as the Griffon. 



154. LoPHOGYPS OCCIPITALIS. (White-headed Vulturc.) 

 llecorded by Mr. Ayres. 



155. Neophron percxopterus. (Egyptian Vulture.) 



I have seen this species only once in Mashonaland, and it 

 has been observed once by Mr. Swynnerton. 



156. Neophron pileatus. (Hooded Vulture.) 



This Vulture is fairly common and may be at once recjg- 

 nized by its smaller size and pink head. It seems to be rather 

 afraid of its two larger relatives, and does not usually visit a 

 carcass at the same time with them, but contents itself with 

 the pickings after they have left. 



157. Serpentarius secretarius. (Secretary-bird.) 

 This well-known bird is generally distributed, though 



nowhere common, being usually met with in open grassy 

 country. They make enormous nests of sticks ; all that I 

 have seen were in low mimosa-trees. 



158. Circus cineraceus. (Montagues Harrier.) 



Not uncommon, frequenting open country, especially 

 about swamps and streams where termite-heaps occur, for 

 the holes in these afford shelter to many mice. Its flight is 

 low, and it appears to search its ground very thoroughly. 

 Almost any day in our summer a jjair may be seen skimming 

 gracefully round the outskirts of the town. 



159. Circus macrurus. (Pallid Harrier.) 



About equally common as the preceding, which it closely 



T 2 



