22 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
19. AsTUR POLYZONOIDES. Many-banded Goshawk. 
Of all the little Goshawks which are included as races or sub- 
species under the title of Astur badius, this is the most distinct, by 
reason of the number and narrowness of its breast-bands. It cannot 
be plentiful in the Cape Colony, for it is not included in Victorin’s 
Knysna list, and has not come under our notice from any part of the 
colony itself. Sir Andrew Smith originally discovered the species 
about lat. 26°S. In the Zambesi country, Dr. Dickerson procured 
it at Chibisa, but Mr. Ayres has not found it in Natal, though more 
recently he has met with it in the Transvaal. Mr. Andersson writes 
that it is “rather rare both in Damara and Great Namaqua Land. 
lt is migratory, arriving in Damara Land after the first rains have 
fallen, and retiring again on the approach of the dry season.” Dr. 
Smith says that it feeds on small birds and prefers the neighbour- 
hood of rivers. f 
Adult—Above pearl-grey, shaded with brown; throat speckled 
with light-brown ; all under parts of body white, closely banded 
with small wavy, brown bars; under tail-coverts white; back and 
upper sides of wings deep grey; inside of wings greyish-white, with 
small dark bars. Tail grey, with about six dark-brown bands ; tips 
of feathers white. Tail long, slightly rounded. Cere of bill and 
legs yellow. Iris orange in adult; yellow in immature bird, but sub- 
ject to much variation. (Vide Ayres, Ibis, 1869, p. 288.) Length, 
113” ; wing, 7’’ 9'’’; tail, 6’’. 
‘ig. Smith, Ill. Zool. 8, Afr. Aves, pl. 11. 
20. ACCIPITER RUFIVENTRIS. African Sparrow Hawk. 
This is the common Sparrow-hawk of South Africa, and is the 
representative of the European species, to which it bears a close 
affinity in form. It is found generally, though sparingly, throughout 
the colony, and was obtained by Victorin at the Knysna. Mr. An- 
dersson says it is common to the south of the Orange River, and in 
various parts of the Cape Colony, but is scarce in Damara and Great 
Namaqua Lands. In Natal Mr. Ayres found it rare, though not shy. 
It does not seem to occur as far north as the Zambesi, but is met 
with in North-Eastern Africa. 
Two eggs, said to be those of the present species, were forwarded 
to us from Tulbagy: they are of a dirty white colour, irregularly and 
obscurely blotched here and there with pale blood-coloured marks ; 
