26 * BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



and throat whitish or light brown, the centre of each feather 

 being dark-brown, inclining to black, gives a striped appear- 

 ance. Lower part of body, thighs, and under part of tail 

 cinnamon-colour. Wings very long and pointed, tail deeply 

 forked. Legs and cere yellow. Length, 21"; wing, 17"; 

 tail, 10". 



Le Vaillaut states that it inhabits Great Namaqualand, builds 

 amongst trees or rocks, but prefers marshy ground, where it makes ita 

 nest on some raised spot amongst the reeds. Eggs four, speckled with 

 red. It is a bold and hardy bird, pursuing its prey even in inhabited 

 places. 



In November, 1863, I observed a single specimen flying over the 

 village of Ceres, in the Cold Bokkeveld. I have also received it from 

 Kuruman, and observed it along the East Coast as far as Fazy. A 

 pair frequent the homestead of the Hon'ble T. H. Vigne, at Tyger 

 Hoek, River " Zonder End" (1865). The flight and habits of this 

 species difler in no way from those of the common kite of India ; 

 indeed, until I shot one, I did not discriminate that any difference 

 existed. It is rare within the colony. 



Genus ELANUS, Savigny. 



Bill small, much compressed, the cutting margins slightly 

 sinuated ; the tip of the upper mandible very much hooked 

 and prolonged ; the cere short ; nostrils large, oval. Wings 

 very long, acuminated, reaching beyond the tail ; the second 

 quill longest ; the first emarginated near the tip of the inner 

 web. Tail short, almost even. Feet short, thick : the tarsus 

 half- feathered ; the lower part covered with minute roundish 

 sub- equal scales. Toes thick, free ; the outer toe much 

 shorter than the inner, and of equal length to the hinder toe. 

 Claws large; the lateral and the hinder ones smooth and 

 round ; the middle claw sharply carinated ou its inner side. 



38. Elanus Melanopterus. (Daud.) Leach.; 



V^ * Falco Melanopterus, Daud. ; Elanus Coesius, Sav. ; 

 ' Le Blac, Le Vail,, PL 36 and 37 ; Fal Vocifer, Lath. 



UPPER parts bluish grey, under parts pure white. Forehead 

 whitish. Tail white on the upper side, slightly tinged with 

 grey. Eye-b'rows black ; shoulders black. Feet bright yel- 

 low. Eyes carmine in adult ; bright-yellow in the young 

 bird. Length, 12" ; wing, 10" 9'" ; tail, 5" 6"'. 



According to Le Vaillant, it builds in the fork of a tree ; the nest 

 large, lined with feathers and moss. Eggs white ; four or five in num- 

 ber. t perches on the tops of trees or bushes/ and utters a frequent 

 and very piercing cry, especially when in flight. Its food consists of 

 insects, I Ijaye also found it devouring small birds and reptiles. It 



