258 Mr. Guy A. K. Marshall un 



this large bird hovering just like a Kestrel far up in the air ; 

 it resembles a Kestrel also in the way it descends on its prey, 

 ■which is generally taken on the ground — the downward flight 

 being comparatively gentle, and not headlong, like the mag- 

 nificent swoop of the Bateleur. Messrs. Sharpe and Layard 

 describe the cere as olive-yellow, whereas, in the specimens I 

 have seen, that part, as well as the legs, have been bluish white. 

 An immature bird in my collection also differs much from 

 their description. In this there is a broad brown breast- 

 band (distinctly lighter than in the adult), the rest of the 

 underparts being pure white, with large dark brown blotches 

 throughout. In an old bird the breast-band becomes narrower 

 and almost black. Stomachs contained mice, snakes, lizards, 

 and beetles. 



167. Helotarsus ecaudatus. (Bateleur Eagle.) 



A fairly common species throughout Mashonalaud, but 

 very shy, and I have not yet succeeded in bringing one to bag. 

 It has a beautiful and a powerful flight, sailing majestically 

 along with scarcely a flap of the wing, and remaining in the 

 air for hours at a time. Its downward swoop must be made 

 with enormous force ; and I well remember my astonishment 

 when a female, hotly pursued by a male, swept down on me 

 from behind, passing within a few yards, and before I had 

 realized what was the cause of the terrific rush, they were 

 far away in mid-air again. When camped on the Umfuli 1 

 obtained a young bird from some Kafirs; it became very 

 tame, coming up to me and putting its head down to be 

 scratched. I never confined it in any way beyond clipping 

 its wings, and one day it wandered away on its own account. 

 I fed it on buckwheat and the bodies of any birds I skinned, 

 but when meat was scarce it would catch locusts for itself. 



168. Helotarsus leuconotus. (White-backed Bateleui 

 Eagle.) 



On three occasions 1 have observed examples of this form 

 near Salisbury, but it would seem very doubtful whether it is 

 entitled to specific rank. 



