BUTEO JAKAL. 27 
for a tame one in our possession refused to eat birds that had been 
shot for it, and although the species is frequent around homesteads 
it has never been known to plunder the hen-wife of her chickens, 
or poultry of any description; but it destroys great numbers of 
reptiles, such as lizards and snakes of various kinds, especially of the 
last-named, for it will attack and kill the largest of our serpents. A 
neighbour of ours (Mr. Joseph Wilmot), saw one of these birds 
doing battie with a large snake. After watching this singular affray 
for some time he went up to the spot to see what snake the bird was 
fighting with, and found a large ‘ Ringtals,’ quite ‘hors de combat.’ 
Fearing that it might recover and creep away he dispatched it at 
once. After some time had elapsed the bird returned and carried 
the snake away to its nest on a neighbouring tree.” 
«The cry of this species is singularly like that of the common 
Jackal (Canis mesomelas) whence its name, and when its wings are 
expanded shewing the light colour, together with the reddish-brown 
breast-feathers, they greatly resemble the colours and markings of a 
jackal’s skin; moreover this bird occupies just about the same posi- 
tion in the tribe of rapacious birds as the jackal fills in that of rapa- 
cious animals, and its name is therefore a most appropriate one.” 
It builds in August or September on trees, or in thick, high 
bushes. The nest is composed of small sticks and moss, thickly 
lined with feathers 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’’ 5”; diam, 1’ 10’’’; specimens, however, vary much both 
in size and colour. Mr. Henry Buckley writes :—“The eggs are 
white, handsomely marked, generally all over, with large brown 
blotches. Those in my collection vary in length from 2°32 to 2:44 
inches, and in width from 1°82 to 1:96, the average being 2°39x1:92 
inches.” 
Its chief hues are red and brown-black, the latter preponderating om 
the head, 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 ochreous grey. Length, 1’ 8'’; wing, 15’’ 8’”; 
tail, 9’’ 3’’’. 
Fig. Leyaill. Ois. d’Afr. pl. 16. 
