the Birda of ,'^t. Lnciu Lake, Znl aland. 519 



stretching for many miles northward, and covering some 

 peaks of considerable height. We did not find a great 

 variety of birds in this wood, perhaps on account of its 

 proximity to the sea ; but there were some interesting species 

 among them. 



The following is a list of the birds met with on St. Lucia 

 Lake and in its vicinity, with our field-notes aflded. 



Helotarsus ecaudatus. (Bateleur Eagle.) 



Sharpe, ed. Layard's Birds S. Afr, p. 48. 



Several times we saw a pair of this fine bird hovering 

 round. It has the peculiar habit of turning somersaults in 

 the air, like a Tumbler Pigeon. With its black body and 

 bright red face and feet it has quite an imposing appearance. 

 It has a clear, resonant, almost human-like cry. 



MiLvus ^GYPTius. (Yellow-billed Kite.) 



Op. cit. p. 49. 



Very common and easily shot on the wing. It is very 

 destructive to poultry, and will even partake of mussels and 

 fishes when left by the natives on the beaches. We found 

 locusts and bones of birds in their stomachs. 



Baza verreauxi. (Verreaux's Cuckoo Falcon.) 



Op. cit. p. 54, pi. i. 



A specimen that w^e shot measured fifteen inches. Iris 

 and feet bright yellow. It had a rufous collar on the nape, 

 which seems to have been overlooked in previous descriptions 

 of this species. 



Bubo lacteus. (Verreaux's Eagle- Owl.) 



Op. cit. p. 71. 



We saw one pair of this fine Owl, which we had previously 

 shot on the LTmfolosi. It has a loud, shrill, eagle-like cry. 

 This bird preys on hares and other small wild animals and 

 birds. 



TuRACUS coRYTHAix. (Grccu Loury.) 

 Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 440. 



These Turacous are common here, their hoarse croaking 

 being constantly heard in the thick bush. The nest is built 



2n 2 



