ee = SS eee 
i ae mos 
. 25th May, 1855; it appeared to see perfectly well. Since we made 
70 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
both in August before the rains and in March in the spring. All 
three were inhabitants of the river Shiré valley, one at the con- 
fluence, the others near the Murchison Rapids. The food of this 
Owl is said by the natives to be small animals and snakes.” 
The Rey. H. Waller, who obtained this species in the Zambesi 
district, informed Mr. Gurney that it feeds on wild Guinea fowls 
which it captures whilst roosting. In West Africa it has been 
observed to feed on fish. 
The following description is from a Zambesi specimen in the 
British Museum, and is copied from the editor’s “Catalogue of 
Birds.” 
Adult.—Above deep rufous bay, crossed with numerous irregular 
bars of black, fainter on the head, which is more fulvescent; wing- | 
coverts and entire wing bay, barred with black, exactly like the 
back, the under surface of the wing rufous and barred exactly like 
the upper surface; tail rufous fawn-colour, rather lighter than back, 
banded across with black; under surface of body light bay, with 
distinct cordiform bars of black, somewhat irregular in shape ; under 
wing-coverts rufous bay with a few black spots and bars, more 
distinct on the lower series, which are lighter and resemble the 
inner lining of the wing; cere blueish lead-colour; bill similar to 
cere but darker, excepting towards tip; tarsi dirty white, tinged 
with blueish» pink; talons light horn-colour with a tinge of dull 
blue ; iris extremely dark brown. Total length, 23-5 inches; culmen, 
2°7; wing, 16°5; tail, 10°0; tarsus, 2°7. 
Fig. Gurney, Ibis, 1859, pl. 15. ; 
65. Bupo capensis. Cape Eagle Owl. 
Its food consists of moles, rats, and small birds. Le Vaillant says 
it makes a nest in a rocky locality, of branches, dried leaves, and 
moss: eggs three. 
We shot a specimen on the Cape Flats in the day-time on the 
this old note in 1855, we have only obtained one other specimen ; 
the species must, therefore, be rare. The example alluded to above —{ 
was shot in broad daylight in the bright sun, and gave usalong 
chase, after being wounded at the first shot. He rose out of some 
rushes in the first instance, and then perched in several different 
places, but always keeping us well in yiew, and flying off on our 
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