ACCIPITER MELANOLEUCUS. 27 
a conterminous line of dark brown; under wing-coverts deep ochre, 
streaked or barred with dark brown; iris and legs yellow. ‘Total 
length 9°7 inches, culmen 0°7, wing 5:8, tail 4°6, tarsus 1-7. 
Adult female.—Similar to the male, but larger. Total length, 11°5 
inches ; wing, 6°6; tarsus, 1°75. 
Fig. Levaill, Ois. d’Afr. pl. 34. 
22. ACCIPITER MELANOLEUCUS. Black-and-white Sparrow-Hawk. 
Astur melanoleucus, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 27 (1867). 
Among the many good things sent to the South African Museum 
by Mr. Jackson, of Nel’s Poort, appeared a young female individual 
of this rare bird. While staying with him during the month of 
December, 1863, we saw, just out of gunshot, a bird which we feel 
sare was an adult specimen. He also informed us that he had fre- 
quently seen a similar bird, but could never get within range of it. 
It has been obtained at “Table Farm” near Grahams’ Town, but 
it is a rare species in that neighbourhood. Mr. Atmore shot a pair 
near Blanco. In the Leyden Museum is a specimen from Sunday 
River. Captain Shelley’s collection contains a bird from the Knysna, 
and Victorin procured it at the same locality im the month of June. 
It is rare in Natal, according to Mr. Ayres, but more numerous from 
November to March than at other seasons; it has not been met 
with to the northward in the Zambesi country, nor did Andersson 
ever meet with it during his travels in Damara Land. It is found, 
however, on the Gold Coast and the Niger. Mr. Atmore tells us 
that his birds had proved very destructive to poultry in their neigh- 
bourhood. ‘Their nest, in a large tree, contained three young birds 
and an egg just hatching. 
The head, neck, and breast dark brownish-black; back pale-brown; 
shoulders much diversified with white ; body, tail, and thighs white ; 
tail-feathers equal, usually dashed with red, Length, 20’. (Sir A. 
Smith.) 
A fine pair of these hawks, male and female, shot by Mr. Atmore 
and his son George near Blanco, differ materially from the phases of 
plumage described by Dr. Smith. The male is throughout of a rich 
brown-black ; the chin and vent are white, with streaks and blotches 
of the prevailing colour. Length, 18’’; wing, 11’’ 5’; tail, 93’’. 
The male resembles the female on the upper side, but below she is 
