2 Mr. H. Leigliton Hare on 



these birds frequenting a certain locality was shot, and 

 shortly afterwards I found, in a tree in the neighbourhood, 

 a large nest under construction, the materials of which were 

 quite fresh. Although the mate remained in the vicinity for 

 a week or two longer, nothino- further was added to the 

 nest. I feel sure that but for the untimely death of the one 

 bird the pair would have bred there. 



The Jackal-Buzzard (Buteo jakxil'), a common bird, is a 

 permanent resident. Several good specimens were secured 

 by means of a trap set on the top of a long pole, which was 

 then erected in a conspicuous place. A clutch of two eggs 

 was taken from a nest in a large " Karree " tree ; one was 

 dirty-white in colour, the other covered with dark blotches 

 on a dirty-white background. The}^ differed so much in 

 appearance that it was difiicult to believe that they had been 

 taken from the same nest. The Jackal-Buzzard is quite a 

 useful bird. It appears to subsist mainly on small birds and 

 rats, although it doubtless levies toll on game-birds and 

 hares when opportunity offers. It will occasionally kill 

 snakes. 



The Steppe Buzzard {Buteo desertonim) is a summer 

 visitant. The stomachs of specimens secured contained rats, 

 birds, and frogs. One had also swallowed a piece of stick 

 about the thickness of a lead pencil and two inches in length, 

 but this was probably accidental. 



Black-shouldered Kite [Elanus cceruletis). — T\\\% useful 

 little Hawk is rare ; it was only recorded once. The Yellow- 

 billed Kite {Milvus cecfi/plius) is a summer migrant. Parties 

 of from 10 to 20 are occasionally seen, though usually they 

 wander about singly or in pairs. Sometimes they are found 

 feeding on carrion. They are venturesome birds, as I had 

 opportunities of seeing when on active service in the district 

 of Gordonia a few months ago. On one occasion we were 

 much entertained by the efforts of a Kite to pick up a scrap 

 of meat lying a few paces from the door of one of the tents 

 in our camp. Time after time he would swoop, but in- 

 variably his heart failed him just at the critical moment, and 

 in the end he gave it up. Sometimes when on the march 



