NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



The female is larger than the male, but is similar in 

 plumage. I>ength, 23.0. 



Distribution. — Cape to the Zambesi. Common in all the 

 provinces of the Union. Scarcer in Rhodesia. 



Habits. — The jackal buzzard is seen singly or in pairs 

 perched on high ledges of rock or the top of a tree, on the 

 watch for prey which consists of almost any creatures it is able 

 to overpower, such as small mammals, birds, reptiles, and 

 batrachia. 



It often becomes a serious pest because of its fondness for 

 poultry. A pair of these birds inhabited a rocky krantz near 

 Port Elizabeth. The people living in the vicinity complained 

 of the loss of fowls, and the mystery was explained by the 

 discovery of a nest with two large fledglings on a ledge of 

 rock. Scattered around were the remains of scores of fowls. 



The bird derives its name from its shrill cry, which some- 

 what resembles that of a black-backed jackal [Canis mesomelas). 



Though rather heavy on the wing, the jackal buzzard 

 often ascends to great heights. The bird may often be seen 

 beating over the veld keenly on the watch for prey, on which 

 it swoops with great velocity, or on which it drops like a stone. 



The nest is a mass of sticks lined with leaves and grass. 

 It is usually placed in a tough shrub jutting out from the side 

 of a krantz or on a ledge of rock. The eggs are 2 in 

 number, dull white, blotched with yellowish-brown, and rough 

 to the touch. They measure 2.40 bv 1.85. The eggs are 

 usuallv laid in September. 



Secretary Bird {Serpentarms secretarius). (Vol. II., 



Description. — Male : above ashy-grey. A strongly marked 

 row of black eyelashes to eye. Number of outstanding black 

 feathers of unequal length at back of head ; these are erectile 

 at will. Wing feathers and primary coverts black. Lower 

 back black, barred thinly with white. Tail feathers silver-grey. 

 Upper coverts white. Two middle feathers are verv elongated ; 



