THE JOURNAL 



OF THE 



SODTH AFRICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' CNION. 



Vol. XI. DECEMBER 1916. No. 2. 



X. — Observations on the Birds of the District of Humansdnrp, 

 Cape Province. Bj B. A. Masterson. 



Common Vulture (Gi/ps kolbii). — This bird has entirely 

 disappeared from this district, not one having been re- 

 corded for the last fifteen years. Formerly (up to 1898) 

 it bred here regularly in a big krantz on a farm about 

 nine miles from the town. 



The reason the farmers give for the disappearance of the 

 Vulture is that they died through having eaten of the flesh 

 of cattle which died of rinderpest. 



The nest is a big heap of sticks, usually placed on a ledge 

 or rock. Breedino- season Aunust. 



It lays one egg of a dirty-white colour. 



Black Vulture (Otogr/ps auricularis). — Disappeared at 

 the same time as Gyps kolbii. Did not breed here. 



White-necked Raven (Corvullur aUncollis). — Becoming- 

 very rare. Only three pairs recorded since 1912. One pair 

 breeds in a krantz near the Ga;iitoos River: the nest is 

 placed in a hole in the krantz, and is composed of sticks, 

 twigs, and grass lined with fibre and hair. 



Breeding season November to January. 



It lays three eggs of a bluish colour, spotted and blotched 

 with brown. 



Is'ot uncommon along the coast. 



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