14 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
within the limits of its range, the latter is very restricted, for it is 
not known either to inhabit Natal or the Transvaal, as far as the 
researches of the indefatigable Mr. Ayres have shewn. It occurs as 
far north as the Orange river, whence a specimen collected by M. 
Jules Verreaux is to be found in the Leiden Museum. Andersson 
says :—“ I have observed this bird in Little Namaqua Land, but am 
not aware that it is an inhabitant of Damara or Great Namaqua Land.” 
It is generally seen in pairs, beating the bushes for prey and quar- 
tering the ground with the regularity of a pointer-dog. After a few 
heavy flaps with its wings, it sails along with its pinions elevated, 
swaying to and fro like a clock pendulum; suddenly it checks itself, 
lets fall a leg, clutches up a cowering lark or unsuspecting gerboa, 
and flies away with it to the nearest termite heap, on which it 
perches and commences its repast. If accompanied by its mate, a 
shrill stridulous cry soon brings it to its side, and the dainty morsel 
is shared between them. 
It breeds among reeds, making a thick heavy nest on any elevated 
root that may lift it above the water. The eggs are usually whitish, 
rather rough, and three or four in number; they are also often 
mottled and clouded with reddish brown. 
At the Berg river we found many nests in September; they were 
always on the ground in the marshes, unlike C. ranivorus which bred 
high up on the rushes. We found white and coloured eggs in the 
same nest, and observed that when the birds laid again after we had 
robbed the nest the eggs were always whiter than at the first laying. 
In size they agreed with those of C. ranivorus. 
Mr. Henry Buckley writes of the eggs of this Harrier :—“ They 
vary from 1°38 x 1°34 inch to 1°57 x 1'5, and are of a bluish-white 
colour, marked all over with small brown marks.” 
General colour black, tinged with rufous; rump white; tail on 
the upper side with four broad bars of grey, wliich below show white; 
inside of wing more or less white, upper side grey; a few white 
spots on the belly and flanks: cere of bill, legs, and irides bright 
orange-yellow ; claws black. Length, 20’ ; wing, 13’’ 6” ; tail, 9” 9”. 
Fig. Smith, Ill. Zool. 8. Afr. Aves. pl. 58. 
12. Crrcus RANIVoRUS. South African Marsh-Harrier. 
This is a resident bird and is at present not known to extend its 
range beyond the limits of the South African subregion. It is not, 
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