Mashonaland Birds. 
255 
cattle which had died of that disease. This, however, is 
quite erroneous, and the idea was probably originated by 
the fact that the carcasses throughout the country were 
enormously disproportionate to the number of Vultures. 
152. Gyps rueppelli. (Riippeirs Griffon.) 
Observed by Mr. Ayres. 
153. Otogyps auricularis. (Eared Vulture.) 
Although common, this species is not nearly so plentiful 
as the Griffon. 
154. Lophogyps occipitalis. (White-headed Vulture.) 
Recorded by Mr. Ayres. 
155. Neophron percnopterus. (Egyptian Vulture.) 
I have seen this species only once in Mashonaland, and it 
has been observed once by Mr. Swynnerton. 
156. Neophron pileatus. (Hooded Vulture.) 
This Vulture is fairly common and may be at once recog¬ 
nized by its smaller size and pink head. It seems to be rather 
afraid of its two larger relatives, and does not usually visit a 
carcass at the same time with them, but contents itself with 
the pickings after they have left. 
157. Serpentarius secretarius. (Secretary-bird.) 
This well-known bird is generally distributed, though 
nowhere common, being usually met with in open grassy 
country. They make enormous nests of sticks ; all that I 
have seen were in low mimosa-trees. 
158. Circus cineraceus. (Montagu's Harrier.) 
Not uncommon, frequenting open country, especially 
about swamps and streams where termite-heaps occur, for 
the holes in these afford shelter to many mice. Its flight is 
low, and it appears to search its ground very thoroughly. 
Almost any day in our summer a pair may be seen skimming 
gracefully round the outskirts of the town. 
159. Circus macrurus. (Pallid Harrier.) 
About equally common as the preceding, wdiich it closely 
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