1920.] Sonth Afrlcayi Accipitrea. 421 



1 L Helotarsus ecaudatus (Daiul). Buteleur Eagle. 



T found tliis fine Eafj,lc (airly numerous in eastern Pondo- 

 land as well as in the Soutli-West Protectorate, and have 

 had pretty good opportunities ol' (d)serviiig its habits. It is 

 a bird of uiagnitieent fliglit, spending nearly all its time on 

 tlie wing; ill fact, I scarcely ever remember having seen 

 one percln-d. There are few more beautiful sights than to 

 watch one of these birds — the flight is veiy easy and buoyant 

 and peculiarly characteristic, so that even when seen at a 

 gjeat distance the identity of the species is never in doubt. 

 Tiie jet-black plumage of tlie head nnd body contrast 

 beautifully witli the snow-white undei' surface of the wings, 

 while the red cere, legs, and feet, the last extended beyond 

 tlie short maroon-red tail, add just the right finishing 

 touch. 



I have noticed that each pair seem to have a recognised 

 beat, and, at any rate in the breeding season, chase away 

 all intiiiders on what they consider their own hunting- 

 grounds. I once saw a pair in full pursuit of a third w Inch 

 had evidently been caught poaching. They were going at a 

 tremendous pace, and one of tlie pursuers was making a 

 curious hollow drumming sound, caused as far as I could 

 judge by the wings being struck together over the back, 

 much as some pigeons ai-e in the habit of doing. On 

 another occasion I saw a Tawny Eagle drive away one oi' 

 these birds which had apjiroached too close to its nest, but 

 the Tawny Eagle was no match for the Bateleur in flight. 

 In his beautiful work, ' A Breath from the Yeldt,' Mr. J. G. 

 Millais figures and describes a habit, noticed by him in this 

 specieSj of looking downwards and backwards when hunting, 

 so as to search the ground over which it has already passed. 

 1 must have seen hundreds of these birds, but have never 

 noticed this habit, although they often look straight down- 

 wards, as other eagles do. 1 hope ^Iv. ^lillais will forgive 

 me for criticizing iiis drawing of the bird in flight, but 

 he depicts it with its feet drawn up to its breast, whereas, 

 in my experience, this and all other Birds of Prey fly with 

 the legs and feet extended below the tail. Moreover I have 



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