from the Anisterclion lyistrirt. 31 



530. AsTURiNULA MONOGRAMMICA. (African Buzzard 

 Eagle.) 



(a) ? . 17.6.0G. Indhlovudvvalilie. Iris bright red. In 

 stomach lizards. Length 15 in. 



(/>) ? . 21.6.06. Indhlovudwalilie. Iris bright red. Stomach 

 empty. Length 14 in. 



Fairly common. On several occasions I have noticed these 

 Hawks sitting either on trees or on a stony kopje near the 

 house, waiting for an opportunity to catch young chickens. 

 In this district it is considered to be one of the worst chicken 

 thieves of all our Hawks. They are not shy and are generall}- 

 easily approached. 



531. BuTEO JACKAL. (Jackal Buzzard.) 



(a) (^ . 27.8.06. Indhlovudwalilie. In stomach one rat, 

 one small bird, four lizards, one chameleon, a number of 

 small insects and beetles, and a large hairy spider. 



Common. When pairing towards the end of August these 

 large Hawks fight continually and may be seen circling 

 round each other in the air, uttering every now and again 

 a harsh scream which may be heard for miles. Last year 

 two of these birds gripped one another in the air, and on 

 tumbling down to the ground were both killed by a Kaffir in 

 sight of the house. They may be seen seated for hours on 

 some prominent rock on the look-out for their food, which 

 consists largely of lizards. They are very cunning in always 

 alighting on the highest rock, so that nobody can approach 

 them without being seen. I have noticed them circlino- 

 round and round over grass fires, sometimes dashing rio-ht 

 through the thick smoke. As they have a habit of sitting on 

 prominent posts or fencing poles, the Swazies set iron traps 

 for them in these places, often with success. 



533. BuTEO DESERTORUM. (Steppe Buzzard.) 



(a) 10.10.06. Swazieland. 



Two or three seen about the middle of October. A great 

 chicken thief, very bold and fearless when hungry, I have 

 seen this bird flying round within a few yards when the fowls 



