382 VULTURID^ 



Distribution. — This bird is found throughout the greater part of 

 Africa south of the Sahara, from the Gambia, Nubia, and Abyssinia 

 soutliwards. In South Africa it is widely distributed, though no- 

 where common. The following are recorded localities : Cape Colony 

 — Paarl, Swellendam and George (Layard), Knysna (Marais), 

 Albany district (Graharastown Mus.), Oleyvenhouts Drift on the 

 Orange river (Bradshaw in S. A. Mus.), Port St. John's (S. A. 

 Mus.); Natal — Pinetown (Stark), near Newcastle (Butler), Great 

 N am aqualand (Fleck) ; Ehodesia — Chobe river (Bradshaw), Chish- 

 omba on the Zambesi (Alexander). 



Habits. — But few observations have been made on the habits of 

 this somewhat rare and curious Hawk ; Mr. Ayres observed it where 

 the grass had been burnt off stalking along like a Bustard and pick- 

 ing up insects which, together with lizards, frogs, and snakes, appear 

 to form the greater part of its diet. The Woodwards state that Mr. 

 Graham Hutchinson informed them that these birds have a curious 

 habit of settling on the trunk of a tree somewhat in Woodpecker 

 fashion, but with outspread wings, hunting for insects on the bark. 



As a general rule, however, they are found seated on tree stumps 

 near marshes and vleis, watching for frogs. Dr. Stark observed 

 that their flight when near the ground was somewhat heavier than 

 that of a Harrier, but that when soaring it was hght and graceful ; 

 he further noted that they fly with their legs stretched out under, 

 their tails. 



The legs of this hawk have extraordinary mobility, they can be 

 bent forwards as well as backwards at the tarsal joint, a fact first 

 noticed by Ayres, but of which no satisfactory explanation has yet 

 been given. 



Nothing appears to be known about the breeding habits of this 

 bird. 



Family II. VULTURIDJ^. 



This family is only distinguished from the Falconidce by having 

 the head bare or covered with down, never with feathers. It is 

 confined to the Old World, being replaced in the New by the 

 GondiOXB {Gathartidce) which certainly form a distinct family, perhaps 

 a distinct order. 



