100 AFRICAN BUZZARD. 



lar variation, which exists in the iris of the Common 

 Buzzard, is however, not always referable to age, as 

 I have ascertained by experience. The bill is dark 

 lead-colour, but somewhat lighter adjoining the throat 

 and cere." 



We are indebted for the drawing from which our 

 figure is copied to Mr. Reeve, of the Norwich Museum. 

 It is taken from Mr. Gurney's living specimen, and 

 consequently represents the rich rufous plumage in 

 which his bird is at the present time. Mr. Gurney 

 has alluded to this change of plumage in an extract 

 I have given above. Le Vaillant's figure closely re- 

 sembles his description. There is no apparent difference 

 in the sexes. 



Mr. Reeve writes: — "The crown of the head, back, 

 and scapularies are dark ashy-brown, each feather 

 having a narrow streak of brown down the centre, 

 shadowed with a rusty red." This clearly identifies 

 Mr. Gurney's bird with Le tachard of Le Vaillant. 



