70 FBIENDS OF THE AGRICULTURIST 



The very opposite to the preceding species is the Little 

 Scops Owl {Scops capensis) which is only 7 inches in length. 

 It is an " eared " species of a dark grey colour naottled with 

 black, and occasional rusty markings. 



We have observed it in Albany and in the Pretoria 

 District. At Modderfontein it is a scarce bird and affects the 

 Eucalyptus plantations. It has a peculiar habit of clapping 

 its mandibles together, making a loud clacking noise. It is 

 almost wholly an insect-feeder. 



The little Pearl-spotted Owl {Glaucidium perlatum) is 

 about the same size as the Scops Owl, but can easily be 

 distinguished by the absence of ear tufts and the charac- 

 teristic mottling of the upper surface — white spots edged 

 with black. Length, 7 inches. 



It is common along water-courses, where it feeds on 

 insects, varied by an occasional mouse or small reptile. 



It ranges from the Orange River northwards. 



KESTRELS 



Amongst the Falconidce there are many birds which are 

 decidedly more useful than otherwise. 



The first of these useful species is the South African 

 Kestrel {Gerchneis rupicolus), which is by far the commonest 

 and best known member of the genus. 



Head slate-colour streaked with black ; rump and tail 

 slate-grey, the latter barred with black. Body of a general 

 reddish-chestnut brown spotted with black. Length, 12^ to 

 13 inches. 



It is a resident and breeds either" on a krantz, in old build- 

 ings, or in trees. The eggs, which are generally three in 

 number, are cream-coloured, spotted and blotched with* 

 various shades of brown. 



The Larger Kestrel [C. rupicoloides) differs from the fore- 



