32 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



flew straight at me, almost sweeping the ground, and 

 with such rapidity that before I could raise myself and 

 point the fowling-piece, I felt the Hawk's wings fanning 

 my face ; and, to save my head from its claws, I had, 

 actually to throw myself on my back, at the same time 

 making a sweep at the bird with my gun ; even after 

 this it hovered over me for a while almost within reach 

 of the gun's muzzle, and evidently only abstained with 

 great reluctance from further attempts at molestation. 



[I am not aware that any figure of this species in its adult 

 plumage has yet been published. — Ed. J 



40. Accipiter nifiventris, Smith. Eufous-bellied Sparrow-Hawk. 



Accipiter rufiventris, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pi. 03. 

 „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 43. 



This must be a scarce bird in Damara and Great 

 Namaqua Land, as it has but very rarely come under my 

 notice; it is, however, common to the south of the 

 Orange River and in various parts of the Cape Colony ; 

 Mr. Layard also found it amongst the birds collected 

 by the Messrs. Chapman in the Lake-regions. 



41. Circus SwainSOni, Smith. Swainson's Harrier. 



Circus Sioainsonii, Smith's Zool. of S. Africa, pis. 43 & 44. 



Circtis Swainsoni, Gurney, Birds Damar., Proc. Zool. Soc. 1864, p. 2. 



„ „ Andersson, ibid. p. 4. 



Circus Swainsonii, Layard's Oat. No. 49. 



„ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 392. 



This bird is migratory, appearing towards the return 

 of the rainy season in Damara and Great Namaqua 

 Land ; I have observed very few adult specimens ; but 

 young and middle-aged birds are pretty numerous. 



