8 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



with small scales. Toes' rather short, with the three anterior 

 ones united at their base ; the hind toe equal in length with 

 the inner, and both strong, and armed with a long powerful 

 curved claw ; the base of the toes covered with small scales, 

 and the apex with broad transverse ones. 



8. ButeO Jackal, Shaw, Vol. 7, p. I73 ; LeRunoin 

 LeVaill., PI. 16; Jackal Fb^e/ of Colonists. 



A very variable species. Its chief hues are red and brown- 

 black, the latter preponderating on the bead, neck, and 

 mantle. The throat is enlivened by white, which gradually 

 deepens to rust-red on the breast. Under wing-feathers 

 nearly white ; under tail coverts black, mingled with red ; 

 tail feathers deep red, each with a black spot towards the 

 tip. Bill, cere, and legs yellow, irides oehreous grey. 

 Length, 1' 8" ; wing, 15" 8'"; tail, 9' 3'". 



This Buzzard is very common throughout the colony, and 

 its well-marked colours are plainly distinguishable at a great 

 distance ; it is therefore easily recognized. It appears to 

 capture its prey more by surprise and stealth than by hunt- 

 ing, sitting motionless on a bush, or tree, until some unsus- 

 pecting gerbilus_^ or sand- rat (Bathyergtis) emerges from its 

 hole, when down swoops the buzzard, clutches the victim in 

 its claws and bears it away, to be devoured at leisure. It is 

 a heavy-flying bird, but sometimes ascends to great altitudes, 

 wheeling in vast circles, and uttering a shrill, stridulous- 

 cry. Builds on trees, or in thick, high bushes. The nest is 

 composed of small sticks and moss, thickly lined with fea- 

 thers and wool. Eggs two or three, rarely four, of a dirty 

 white colour, coarse in texture, and very thickly spotted, at 

 the obtuse end in particular, with dry-blood-coloured 

 blotches and stains. Axis, 2", 6'"; diam., 1" 10'"; specimens, 

 however, vary much both in size and colour, 



9. ButeO Desertorum. (Vieil.) Buteo tachar- 

 dus, Mod. Auth. ; B. Capensis, Schleg ; Le Rougri, Le 

 Vail., pi. 17; Falco vufpinus, Licht. ; F. Cirtensis, Le 

 Vail, (fils.) 



TTpper parts brown ; each feather having pale edges and a 

 black shaft. Head, pale fulvous, streaked with brown. 

 "Wing feathers dark-brown. Tail feathers fulvous, inclined 

 fp rufous, and narrowly barred with brown ; the broadest bar 



