Fort Cliiqnaqua, Mashonaland. 573 



really different, and the bare space ronnd the eye varies in 

 extent. As Smilorhis is an older natiie than Stactolcema, 

 the present species may preferably be called Smilorhis 

 sowerbiji. It is closely allied to Smilorhis whytii, and has 

 the white chin and the white-tipped feathers of the breast 

 and abdomen very distinct. It differs, however, from S. ivhytli 

 in the sulphur-yellow colour of the head, which is like that 

 of S. anchietce. S. soioerbyi has no yellow on the face and 

 throat like S. anchietce. — R. B. S.] 



34. Serpentarius secretarius (Scop.) ; Shelley, Ibis, 

 1882, p. 237. 



This, the only one I saw in Mashonaland, was on some 

 open burnt ground, stalking about at the edge of the bush ; its 

 crop contained 13 lizards (of the small flat-headed grey kind) 

 and a big handful of locust debris. I saw five Secretary-birds 

 between Enkeldoorn and Bulawayo along the road. When 

 rising they run about five yards, sometimes from 15 to 20 

 yards, with raised wings. They flap and sail alternately. 

 When sailing, the ends of the primaries are more upturned 

 than in any other bird I have seen. Secretary-birds are 

 excellent eating ! 



35. Melierax mechowi Cab. ; Reichen. Vog. Deutsch- 

 Ost-Afr. p. 86. 



Not very common. This species has a sort of song, which 

 reminded me of the note of a Dabchick at home, but it is 

 shorter and is not uttered so quickly. 



36. Melierax gabar (Daud.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. 

 i. p. 89 (1874). 



Common. The flight and manners of this Hawk are just 

 like those of a male Sparrow-Hawk at home. 



37. Aquila wahlbergi Sundev. ; Shelley, Ibis, 1882, 

 p. 238. 



[This is a very curiously-coloured individual, and is 

 evidently, in my opinion, an immature bird, but it differs 

 from all our specimens in the British Museum in being white 

 underneath, with a few arrow-shaped streaks and bars; the 



