54 ' THE FARMER'S FOES 



sparingly speckled and streaked with red, during the 

 months of November and December. 



It is, however, amongst the Family Falconidce (Hawks, 

 Eagles and Falcons) that some of the worst of the 

 farmer's foes are to be found. 



FALCONS. 



The first species we will deal with is the South 

 African Lanner (Falco biarmicus)& handsome, bold- 

 looking bird of about 18 inches in length. It is dark 

 slate colour above, with a brick-red head the latter 

 with black shaft streaks, the former barred with bluish- 

 grey ; below pale fawn colour ; 



Its range is wide, extending to Central Africa and 

 Angola. It is a rapid and strong flyer, sallying forth 

 from some krantz to prey upon birds, and steal what 

 poultry it can lay its claws on. We have known it to 

 raise almost full-grown poultry from the ground : in one 

 case the bird would have carried off its prey (a half- 

 grown duckling) had not a pointer dog gallantly rushed 

 to the rescue, and, leaping up, caused the Hawk to drop 

 the duckling, which escaped with a few scratches. 



The Red-necked Falcon (Falco ruficollis) has the hind 

 neck and crown of head of a reddish-chestnut and is 

 cobalt-blue above, barred with narrow black stripes. 

 The breast is of a pale chestnut, and the rest of the 

 lower surface of a pale blue, barred with black. 



It is not a common bird in South Africa, but the 

 Transvaal Museum contains a female mounted in its 

 nest, taken near Pretoria by Mr. C. B. Horsbrngh on 

 October 24, 1904. 



