KESTRELS 43 



The very opposite to the preceding species is the Little 

 Scops Owl (Scops capensis), which is only 7 inches in 

 length. It is an "eared" species of a dark grey colour 

 mottled with black. 



We have observed it in Albany and in the Pretoria 

 District. At Modderfontein it is a scarce bird and 

 affects the Eucalyptus plantations. It has a peculiar 

 habit of clapping its mandibles together, making a loud 

 clacking noise. It is almost wholly an insect-feeder. 



The little Pearl-spotted Owl (Glaucidium perlatum) is 

 about the same size as the Scops Owl, but can easily 

 be distinguished by the absence of ear tufts and the 

 characteristic mottling of the upper surface white spots 

 edged with black. 



It is common along water-courses, where it feeds on 

 insects, varied by an occasional mouse or small reptile. 



It ranges from the Orange Eiver northWards. 



KESTRELS. 



Amongst the Falconida there are many birds which 

 are decidedly more useful than otherwise. 



The first of these useful species is the South African 

 Kestrel (Cerchneis rupicolus), which is by far the com- 

 monest and best known member of the genus. 



Head slate-colour streaked with black ; rump and tail 

 slate-grey, the latter barred with black. Body of a 

 general reddish-chestnut brown spotted with black. 



It is a resident and breeds either on a krantz, in old 

 buildings, or in trees. The eggs which are generally 

 three in number, are cream-coloured, spotted and blotched 

 with various shades of brown. 



