410 Lieut. C. G. Finch-Davies on [Ibis, 



group, always a favourite with me, and have been also 

 finishing a series of paintings of all the South African 

 species in different stages of plumage. With reference to 

 the plumage-changes, I would like to point out that many 

 authors mention and describe many " stages " through 

 which certain species pass before attaining the fully adult 

 state, and give us the impression that each individual 

 passes through these "" stages." This T do not believe to 

 be the case. That many species take several years to 

 assume the fully adult plumage is well known, but in 

 my opinion this change does not always follow any par- 

 ticular rule, some individuals attaining the adult plumage 

 quicker than others. We cannot place too much reliance 

 on observations made from captive specimens, which, of 

 necessity, live without proper exercise, food, etc., under 

 abnormal conditions, such as tend to delay, or arrest, the 

 normal process of moulting. Thus Mr. A. K. Haagner, 

 the director of the Zoological Gardens at Pretoria, informed 

 me that a Bateleur Eagle {Helotarsus ecaudahis) in the 

 gardens took eight years to assume the fully adult plumage. 

 I greatly doubt whether under normal conditions it would 

 have taken so long to do so, 



T have not here gone into the geographical distribution 

 of the various species, as this subject requires more time 

 than 1 have yet been able to devote to it. In this con- 

 nexion 1 would remark that the fact of a certain species 

 having been recorded from this or that locality does not 

 necessa,rily mean that such locality is its true '"' patr^ia," as in 

 many cases single individuals straggle to districts far from 

 their real home ; these will generally be found to be young 

 birds (such as the single specimen of Gypohierax anyoltnsis 

 secured by Ayres at Potchefstroom), and for the following 

 reason. I believe that in most species of Birds of Prey 

 each adult pair have their chosen home and beat over the 

 surrounding country, which they jealously guard against 

 all intruders ; and as each brood of young are fledged and 

 able to fend for themselves, they are driven off by their 

 parents and become wanderers until such time as they can 



