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



stage, wliicli might be called semi-adult^ the upper surface 

 is still darker, almost as dark as in the adult, but still 

 barred with paler colour and edged witli white. The under 

 surface is rufous, marked with brownish black, but the 

 dark marking?, instead of forming broad bars as in the 

 adult, are more in the form of rounded spots — one on each 

 web, so that the predominating colour is still rufous, not 

 black barred with rufous-white as in the adult. The fifth 

 stage is the adult plumage more or less complete, but signs 

 of immaturity are usually to be observed in narrow pale 

 edges to many of the feathers of the npper surface. In 

 very old birds the black markings of the lower throat and 

 breast predominate to such an extent that these parts 

 almost appear black, the rufous-white bases of the feathers 

 only showing here and there. 



32. Lophoaetus occipitalis (Daud.). Crested Hawk-Eagle. 



I have met with this handsome Eagle only in eastern 

 Pondoland, where it is not uncommon and is generallv 

 conspicuous, as it has a habit of sitting on the tops of 

 dead trees, especially those which are often left standing 

 by the natives in the middle of their corn lands. No 

 doubt it finds these perches convenient i)osts from which 

 it can keep a look out for the rats, mice, lizards, etc., 

 which form its principal prey. It is a somewhat sluggish 

 bird, spending a great deal of its time on the above- 

 mentioned jierches, and is seldom seen on the wing, 

 although I have occasionally seen it soaring, but at no 

 great height. Unless the bird is perched, the long crest is 

 generally held at an angle of about 45 degrees, tlie tips of 

 the long feathers moving gently in the breeze, but in flight 

 the crest is laid flat on the neck. 



As regards plumage-changes, there appears to be very 

 little dift'erence between the juvenile and adult. The young 

 bird is usually described as being similar to the adult, but 

 to differ in having the tarsi streaked with dark brown. 

 Now, from the investigations I have made, I have come 

 to the conclusion that some error has been made here. 



