166 Dr. P. Rendall on the Ornithology of the 



1. Serpentarius sECRETARius, Lajard & Sharpe, B. S. 

 Afr. p. 8. 



This handsome species was uot uncommon on the flats 

 round Barberton. There is a fine for shooting Secretary- 

 Birds in the Transvaal^ on account of their snake-eating 

 tastes, but, from what I could learn, young game-birds, 

 lizards, and small animals formed their usual diet, especially 

 the first-named. I always saw them in pairs, and though 

 I was generally on horseback, they seldom allowed me to 

 get within 50 yards. They ran rapidly away, and did not 

 take flight ; in retreating, the crest is lowered, while the 

 head and neck are depressed and stretched forward parallel 

 to the ground. The leisurely stalk is not resumed until 

 about 150 yards have been placed between you. 



2. Circus pygargus, L. & S., B. S. Afr. p. 12. 



A male was shot with a chicken in its talons, on 15th 

 January. 



3. AsTUR tachiro, L. & S., B. S. Afr. p. 20. 

 On 20th February a female was obtained. 



4. BUTEO DESERTORUM, L. & S., B. S. Afr. p. 30. 

 A female was shot on 20th November. 



5. LoPHAETus OCCIPITALIS, L. & S., B. S. Afr. p. 41. 



On 11th September I got one which was perched on the 

 fence of a fowl-yard; its depredations had been considerable, 

 and it was too wary for a shot-gun. 



6. Bubo lacteus, L. & S., B. S. Afr. p. 71. 



I shot this Owl at Honey-bird Creek, where I was looking 

 for koodoo. 1 killed it with a Martini rifle ; it was sitting 

 on a big tree in broad daylight, quite concealed by its foliage. 



7. Bubo maculosus, L. & S., B. S. Afr. p. 73.. 



Many times I tried to shoot one of these Owls, but it 

 was too wary ; eventually I caught it with a rat-gin set 

 on the top of one of the posts of a deserted five-stamp 

 battery at Fever Creek, which was one of his favourite 

 perches. 



