180 FALCON. 



104— JACKAL FALCON. 



Falco Jackal, Ind. Orn. Sup. p. xi. Dattd. ii. 161. Shaw's Zook vii. 173. 

 Le Rounoir, LevaiN. Ois. i. p. 73. 

 Jackal Falcon, Cen. Si/n. Sup. ii. p. 49. 



THIS is the size of our Buzzard, but more bulty, and the 

 tail shorter in proportion ; the bill is dusky ; cere and legs yellow ; 

 iris deep brown ; plumage mostly dusky brown ; from the chin is a 

 mixture of white, which changes on the breast to inifous ; the quills 

 are dusky, banded with paler at the base, and the secondaries 

 mixed outwardly with white ; tail deep rufous, with a spot of 

 black near the end of each feather, the two outer ones only banded 

 with dusky ; beneath all is rufous-grey. The female is larger, and 

 the red on the breast not so high-coloured. 



This species is mostly seen about the habitations of the colonists 

 of the Cape of Good Hope, where it is known by the name of 

 Jakals-vogel (Jackal Bird), on account of the cry imitating the 

 voice of that quadruped. Called also Rotter-vanger (Rat-catcher). 

 It is not shy, being seen every where following the lesser kinds of 

 vermin, as rats, moles, &c. and, like the Buzzard in Europe, is 

 esteemed an useful species ; it is cowardly, insomuch that even the 

 Fiscal Shrike will occasionally put it to flight. 



It inhabits chiefly the thick groves which surround the houses, 

 and in the deepest part of them makes a nest of twigs and moss, 

 lined with feathers ; lays three or four eggs, sometimes only two, 

 which generally come to perfection, as the nest is rarely 

 destroyed, from the idea the natives entertain of the utility of this 

 species. 



