SOUTHEKN AFRICA. BIRDS. 



107 



The occipital vulture (F. 

 occipitalis Burch., ^^r. 47.), 

 one of the most Imposing 

 species, is very rare, al- 

 though it has been likewise 

 observed in Nubia by Mr. 

 Ruppel. The Orican is a 

 peculiar vulture, very re- 

 markable from having its 

 ears furnished externally 

 with a pendulous wattle. 

 The basha, or great crested 

 eagle, reminds us of the 

 American Aquila destructor: 

 it is, however, smaller ; and has been likewise named as 

 a native of India. Southern Africa^ in short, presents 

 us alone with nearly twice the number of vultures found 

 throughout the whole continents of America or of Asia ; 

 still fewer inhabit Europe ; and it is supposed not one 

 occurs in Australia. 



(152.) On turning to the smaller rapacious birds, 

 living upon the lesser animals and insects, we trace a sin- 

 gular mixture of local and European ornithology. The 

 common European buzzard is figured by Le Vaillant, 

 who also notices the great horned owl, the long-eared 

 owl, and the scops, or little owl, as all existing in South- 

 ern Africa. The most remark- 

 able species of this part of Africa 

 is the chou-cou of Le Vaillant, 

 the Strix Africana of authors 

 (_%.4S.); for it comes nearerinits 

 general form, and long tail, to the 

 falcons, than even the hawk-owl 

 of Hudson's Bay. On the other 

 hand, we have received from 

 the Cape of Good Hope the 

 common barn owl of Europe ; 

 brighter, indeed, in its colours, 

 yet, to all appearance, the same 



