20 Dr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds 



This hawk was often taken in gin-traps baited with a rat 

 for " nieerkats." It is very shy, and can seldom be 

 approached on foot, but may be easily shot from horseback. 

 It has a very loud call and is a bird of remarkably quiet and 

 active habits. It did well in captivity.] 



34. Aquila eapax. 



Aquila rapax (Temm.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 242 (1874) ; 

 id. ed. Layard, p. 35 (1875) ; id. Hand-1. B. i. p. 261 (1899) ; 

 Reichenow, t. c. p. 587 (1901). 



a. £. Deelfontein, July 13, 1902. 



[This Eagle was seen on only two or three occasions, and 

 we were able to shoot but one specimen.] 



35. BUTEO JAKAL. 



Buteo jakal (Daud.) ; Sharpe, Cat. B. i. p. 173 (1874) ; 

 id. ed. Layard, p. 26 (1875) ; id. Hand-1. B. i. p. 255 (1899) ; 

 Reichenow, t. c. p. 591 (1901). 



a. ? imm. Deelfontein, March 1, 1902. 



b. <J ad. „ July 13, 1902. 



c. 6 ad. „ Aug. 2, 1902. 



One egg, which measures : axis 2*2 inches, diara. T9. 



The moulting of this species is evidently somewhat 

 irregular, as in all Accipitres, for the birds shot in March and 

 July shew traces of immaturity, with more or less of a sub- 

 terminal black bar on the central tail-feathers — especially on 

 the first of them. The tips of the feathers of the under 

 surface are also rufescent, instead of white (cf. Sharpe, Cat. 

 B. i. I. c.) . Although mature as regards its plumage other- 

 wise, the male killed in July has an isabelline-buff throat 

 streaked with black. 



[Very common all the year round, nesting on the kopjes 

 and in the vleys. It makes a large structure, returning 

 year after year and adding a few sticks. A nest with one 

 egg was found on the top of a tall poplar tree. 



This Buzzard is supposed to do much harm to the 

 farmer in the way of capturing chickens, and is said also to 

 take kids and lambs. The Boers call it the " Lamb-catcher," 



