Mashonaland Birds. 259 



169. Haliaetus vocifer. (African Sea-Eagle.) 



Tliis fine Eagle is by no means common, and generally 

 haunts the larger rivers in which big pools are to be found. 

 I have seen it on the Lundi, Nuanetsi, and Umf'uli, and on a 

 few occasions near Salisbury. 



170. MiLvus ^GYPTius. (Yellow-billed Kite.) 



A common migrant, coming down from the north abcut 

 September and leaving again in March. Although generally 

 distributed, I do not remember to have seen more than half 

 a dozen together at one time, and it is more generally observed 

 in pairs. Like all its congeners, it is a bold and fearless 

 bird, and on any day several may be seen gracefully patrolling 

 the town in search of anything edible from a chicken to a 

 locust. 



171. Elanus c^ruleus. (Swallow-tailed Kite.) 

 Seen by Mr. Ayres, but not procured. 



172. Baza verreauxi. (Verreaux's Cuckoo-Falcon.) 



A single example of this rare species was shot by 

 Mr. Swynnerton. Its stomach contained grasshoppers, beetles, 

 and a large green caterpillar. 



173. Falco biarmicus. (South- African Lanner.) 

 Observed by Mr. Ayres. 



174. Falco subbuteo. (Hobby.) 



Though I have observed but few myself, the Hobby 

 would appear to be fairly common round Salisbury, for 

 Mr. Swynnerton has recently shot five specimens, nearly all 

 of which were obtained while they were hawking for cre- 

 puscular insects when it was almost dark. The stomachs 

 contained beetles, locusts, and a butterfly. 



175. TiNNUNCULus RUPicoLoiDEs. (Large African Kcstrcl.) 

 A common and generally distributed species ; it is by no 



means timid, setking its prey in and around the town and being 

 especially fond of sitting on the telegraph poles and wires- 

 In 1897 a pair nested on a ledge at the Cecil Hotel, but 

 failed to bring off any young, as they were too much tormented 

 by the Crows. The following contents have been found in 



