14 The South African Birds of Prey 



for some time and it did not harm his hens, although it 

 devoured the egfas. 



The Southern Lammergeyer {Gypaetus ossifragus) has 

 also been accused of devouring sheep and lambs, but its 

 food seems to consist almost exclusively of carrion and 

 bones. As, however, this bird is not of much use, I 

 include it in the present group. The Boers call it the 

 Lammervanger (Lamb-catcher) . 



The Black-breasted Harrier-Eagle {Circaetiis pectoralis) 

 is another bird whose reputation is founded more or less 

 upon hearsay. It is said to prey on lambs and poultry, 

 but its principal food is doubtless frogs, snakes, and 

 lizards. 



The Banded Harrier-Eagle is very rare, and does not 

 concern us here. 



The Yellow-billed Kite {Milviis (egyptius) is not held 

 in much repute by the Dutch, as evidenced by its Boer 

 cognomen of Kuikendief (Chicken-thief). It feeds on 

 locusts, grasshoppers, small reptiles, frogs and fish. 

 Major Hamilton, of the Government Game Reserves, has 

 stated in the " Transvaal Agricultural Journal " that it is 

 a harmless bird, never interfering with his poultry, so it 

 should really be included in the first group. I insert it 

 amongst the partly-injurious species, pending further 

 evidence on the subject. It is of a sepia-brown colour, 

 and has a distinct yellow bill. 



The Black-Shouldered Kite (Elanus cceruleus), like the 

 Yellow-billed, should no doubt be amongst the useful 

 birds, but is included here, as it sometimes attacks 

 chickens. Sclater says that it " feeds upon rats, small 

 birds, reptiles and insects, while farmers' ivives say it is 

 outrageously fond of their chickens." My friend Ivy 

 says it is a comparatively harmless bird, feeding chiefly 

 on rats and locusts, although he knows of instances in 



