8 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



with small scales. Toes rather short, with the three anterior 

 ones united at their base ; the hind toe equal in length with 

 the inner, and both strong, and armed with a long powerful 

 curved claw ; the base of the toes covered with small scales, 

 and the apex with broad transverse ones. 



. ButeO Jackal, Shaw, Vol. 7, p. 173 ; LeRunair, 

 Le Vaill., PL 16; Jackal Vogel of Colonists. 



A very variable species. Its chief hues are red and brown- 

 black, the latter preponderating on the head, neck, and 

 mantle. The throat is enlivened by white, which gradually 

 deepens to rust-red on the breast. Under wing-feathers 

 nearly white ; under tail coverts black, mingled with red ; 

 tail feathers deep red, each with a black spot towards the 

 tip. Bill, cere, and legs yellow, irides ochreous grey. 

 Length, 1' 8"; wiog, 15" 8'"; tail, 9' 3"'. 



This Buzzard is very common throughout the colony, and 

 its well-marked colours are plainly distinguishable at a great 

 distance ; it is therefore easily recognized. It appears to 

 capture its prey more by surprise and stealth than by hunt- 

 ing, sitting motionless on a bush, or tree, until some unsus- 

 pecting cjerbilus or sand- rat (Bathyergm) emerges from its 

 hole, when down swoops the buzzard, clutches the victim in 

 its claws and bears it away, to be devoured at leisure. It is 

 a heavy-flying bird, but sometimes ascends to great altitudes, 

 wheeling in vast circles, and uttering a shrill, stridulous 

 cry. Builds on trees, or in thick, high bushes. The nest is 

 composed of small sticks and moss, thickly lined with fea- 

 thers and wool. Eggs two or three, rarely four, of a dirty 

 white colour, coarse in texture, and very thickly spotted, at 

 the obtuse end in particular, with dry-blood-coloured 

 blotches and stains. Axis, 2", 5"'; diatn., 1" 10'"; specimens, 

 however, vary much both in size and colour. 



9. ButeO DesertOPUm. (Vieil.) Buteo tachar- 

 dus, Mod. Auth. ; B. Cupensis, Schleg ; Le Rougri, Le 

 Vail., pi. 17; Falco vufpinus, Licht. ; F. Cirfensis, Le 

 Vail, (fils.) 



UPPER parts brown ; each feather having pale edges and a 

 black shaft. Tlcud, pale fulvous, streaked with brown. 

 Wing feathers dark-brown. Tail feathers fulvous, inclined 

 to rufous, and narrowly barred with brown ; the broadest bar 



