308 Mr. A. L. Butler on the 



Though such a handsome Eagle it is rather ignoble on 

 the wing, the flight being somewhat Kite-like, but not so 

 graceful. 



211. BUTEO DESERTORUM (Daud.). 



a. ? . Khartoum, Nov. 11, 190.2. 



b. S • „ Oct. 1902. 



The Desert- Buzzard is often to be seen in and about 

 Khartoum during the cold months. It frequents the date- 

 palms in the town in the same manner as the Kites. 



212. Butastur rufipennis (Sundev.). 



I have noted the Red-winged Buzzard-En gle between 

 Gedaref and Gallabat (May 1901); from Duem to the 

 Bahr-el-Ghazal (Feb. and March 1902) ; very numerous 

 from a little south of Khartoum to Kawa (Sept. 30th to 

 Oct. 2nd, 1902), but not anywhere on the same run six 

 weeks later. I have also met with it on the Rahad and 

 Dinder Rivers (May 1903). It is more or less migratory, 

 being much more abundant at some times than others. In 

 habits it is a quiet, rather sluggish bird, fond of perching 

 on a prominent reed or stick in the swamps of the White 

 Nile, and feeding largely upon insects. 



213. Melierax pojlyzonus (Riipp.). 



a. ? . SSherif Yakub, Blue Nile, April 4, 1901. 



b. S • Roseires, Dec. 1902. 



This fine Hawk is very common in the Soudan, and I 

 have seen it practically every \\ here I have travelled. It is 

 rather a sluggish bird and generally allows a near approach ; 

 the red cere and legs shew up brightly against its blue- 

 grey plumage. 



Besides my own specimens I have examined others, and 

 have shot birds in widely separated parts of the Soudan. 

 I do not think that any allied species, such as Melierax 

 metabates Heugl.* exists in the country, and consider that 

 this name, as has been suggested, should be relegated to 

 the position of a synonym. 



I took a nest of this bird containing one hard-set egg 

 * Cf. Salvador], Ibis, 1004. p. 248. 



