52 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
parts, particularly on the flanks, thighs, and under tail-coverts ; each 
feather has a black shaft. T'ail much forked, and barred with grey- 
brown. Bill black at allages. Iris brown. Length, 21'’; wing, 
18’; tail, 10”’. 
45, ELANus CZRULEUS. Black-shouldered Kite. 
Elanus melanopterus, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 26 (1867). 
According to our own experience in South Africa this is a migra- 
tory species, appearing about Cape Town in the month of May. 
Victorin, however, procured it in the Karroo in January and Feb- 
ruary, and at the Knysna in April, May, July, August and December. 
Mr. Rickard states that it is common at East London, and Mr. Ayres 
records that it appears to be equally distributed throughout Natal 
and Transvaal. Dr. Kirk notes it as very common both on the 
Shiré and Zambesi. 
Mr. Andersson writes as follows: “ Rare in Damara Land, and is 
only found about the estuaries of some of the large periodical water- 
courses; but itis not uncommon at Lake N’gami and its watersheds.” 
Senor Anchicta has procured it in Mossamedes at Ambaca and 
Biballa, and Mr. Monteiro in Angola. 
According to Le Vaillant, it builds in the fork of a tree; the nest 
large, lined with feathers and moss. Eggs white; four or five in 
number. It perches on the tops of trees or bushes, and utters a 
frequent and very piercing cry, especially when in flight. Its food 
consists of insects. We have also found it devouring small birds and 
reptiles. It is a bold and fearless bird, and generally allows of 
approach within gunshot. It is migratory, appearing about Cape 
Town in the month of May. To a certain extent this species is 
gregarious: wo counted nine roosting in one tree at Eerste River, 
and several more were flying about close by: they had probably 
been attracted by an exodus of white ants which had taken place that 
afternoon. Mr. Atmore confirms Le Vaillant’s statement that it lays 
white eggs, and sent us one taken by himself. We fancy, however, 
that these must be exceptionable instances, for Mr. Kotzé and our- 
selves found them nesting in abundance at the Berg River in Sep- 
tember and October in trees and high bushes; the eggs varied, the 
ground colour ranging from white to dull red and the marking also 
being sometimes blotchy and smeared like those of the English 
