FALCONID^. 1 5 



18. Oircaetus Thoracicus. (Cuv.) c. Pect 



oralis, A. Smith, S. Af. Q. Journ., p. 109 ; C. Cinereiis, 

 Vieill., Gal. des Ois., PI. 12 ; C. Funereus, Rtipp. NeuQ 

 Wirb. Abzss., t. 14,, p. 35 p. 



Head and neck blackish-brown, tinged with grey ; back and 

 shoulders of the same colour, each feather tipt with white. 

 Throat black and white ; breast brownish-black ; lower parts 

 white ; tail grey, crossed with broad black bands, tipt with 

 white. Length, 2' 7"; wing, 1' 9"; tail, 12f". Iris pale 

 straw-yellow 



Rather rare in tho colony, frequenting mountain-ravines clothed 

 with timber, and keeping to the same spot for many successive years. 

 Shy and suspicious, it rarely falls before the gun, although no oppor- 

 tunity is lost of killing a bird so destructive to young lambs. 



I saw several pairs on the East Coast of Africa, and shot two at Fazy, 

 a native village within a degree and a half of the Line ; here they 

 seemed quite fearless and allowed an easy approach. Mr. H. Gird, 

 M.L.A , obtained a noble pair on his farm, Oliphant's Fontein, which 

 are now mounted in the Museum. Mr. Atmore writes from Blanco, 

 probably of this species : he says : " I have heard of another eagle 

 inhabiting the forest — head, neck, and back blueish, belly white ; but I 

 have not seen him yet. He preys on poultry, monkeys, and cats ! Last 

 week one carried off my hostess's favourite " Tom,'' and she now hopes 

 my Tom (his son) will shoot him," — so do I ! 



Mr. Henry Jackson has sent an egg of this fine bird from Nel's 

 Poort. He says they lay but one in a nest. It is pure white ; Axis, 

 3" 1'" ; diameter, 2" 4'" 



19. Oircaetus Bacha. (Daud.) shaw, Voi. 7, p. 



157 ; Ecematornis Cheela and H. Bacha, Lath. ; Le Bacha, 

 Le v., PL 15 ; Falco Bido, Horsf. ; F. Alhidus, Cuv., 

 Temm., PL Col. 19 ; Buteo Melanotis, Jerd. 



Upper parts deep brown ; shoulders spotted with white. 

 Under parts a paler brown ; thickly spotted with white ; two 

 bars extend across the tail, appearing ochreous-browa on the 

 top, and white below ; occipital crest very broad, black, and 

 banded with white. Tail tipt with white ; thighs barred with 

 white. Length, 2' 2" ; wing, 1' 6" ; tail, 10". 



Le Vaillant aflS.rms that he found this species in Namaqualand, 

 frequenting rocky, desert places ; and preying on the dassie {Hyrax 

 Capensis). He also states that it is fierce and solitary, building in deep 

 rocky caverns ; the nest a heap of dry branches, on which is massed 

 leaves and moss. Eggs two, rarely three ; and he gives a long account 

 of its habits, painting a wonderfully graphic picture of its ferocity, and 

 the terror it excites amoug the dasaies. Unfortunately for M. Le 

 Vaillant's character, it is too probable that the bird only existed in 



