Mashunaland Birds. 257 



and it appears to be far from common. Two examples have 

 been shot recently by Mr. Swynnerton ; their stomachs 

 contained snakes, beetles, and winged termites. 



164. Aquila WAHLBERGi. (Wahlbcrg's Eagle.) 



This Eagle is not common, and, like most of its kind, is 

 more easily seen than procured. Mr. C. Timmler recently 

 shot a fine female, as she left her nest. This latter was a 

 large structure of sticks in the strong fork of a large tree, 

 about 20 feet from the ground, and was lined with roots, 

 grass, and a few green leaves. The single e^g was dirty 

 white, with large pale blotches and freckles of yellowish brown, 

 and faint underlying blotches of brownish grey ; it measured 

 60x48 mm. The bird^s stomach contained lizards and a 

 locust. 



165. AsTURiNULA MONOGRAMMiCA. (African Buzzard- 

 Eagle.) 



Fairly common and more readily approachable than any of 

 our larger Hawks. It prefers to keep well within the bush, 

 and is somewhat lethargic in its habits, the flight being com- 

 paratively heavy. The following are the contents of a single 

 bird : — 2 scorpions, 2 large centipedes, 4 larvae of a large 

 cetomid beetle, and 4 locusts ; in addition the crop was 

 crammed with 130 winged specimens of our largest termite. 

 This species seems specially partial to scorpions and centi- 

 pedes, either one or the other having been observed in almost 

 every specimen ; one also containing a small viperine snake. 



166. CiRCAiiTus PECTORALis. (Black-brcasted Harrier- 

 Eagle.) 



This fine Eagle is relatively common round Salisbury, and 

 two or three individuals may generally be observed within 

 a few miles of the town during the summer. It is a com- 

 paratively fearless bird, though generally managing to keep 

 just out of gunshot. It frequents open country, especially 

 in the vicinity of water, and searches its ground very 

 thoroughly from a considerable altitude; but settles very 

 frequently, even on low trees, and will often haunt one 

 particular spot for some little time. It is interesting to see 



