the Birds of St. Lucia Lake , Zululand. 519 
stretching for many miles northward, and covering some 
peaks of considerable height. We did not find a great 
variety of birds in this wood, perhaps on account of its 
proximity to the sea; but there were some interesting species 
among them. 
The following is a list of the birds met with on St. Lucia 
Lake and in its vicinity, with our field-notes added. 
Helotarsus ecaudatus. (Bateleur Eagle.) 
Sharpe, ed. Layard's Birds S. Afr. p. 48. 
Several times we saw a pair of this fine bird hovering 
round. It has the peculiar habit of turning somersaults in 
the air, like a Tumbler Pigeon. With its black body and 
bright red face and feet it has quite an imposing appearance. 
It has a clear, resonant, almost human-like cry. 
Milvus iEGYPTius. (Yellow-billed Kite.) 
Op. cit. p. 49. 
Very common and easily shot on the wing. It is very 
destructive to poultry, and will even partake of mussels and 
fishes when left by the natives on the beaches. We found 
locusts and bones of birds in their stomachs. 
Baza yerreauxi. (Verreaux’s Cuckoo Falcon.) 
Op. cit. p. 54, pi. i. 
A specimen that we shot measured fifteen inches. Iris 
and feet bright yellow. It had a rufous collar on the nape, 
which seems to have been overlooked in previous descriptions 
of this species. 
Bubo lacteus. (Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl.) 
Op. cit. p. 71. 
We saw one pair of this fine Owl, which we had previously 
shot on the Umfolosi. It has a loud, shrill, eagle-like cry. 
This bird preys on hares and other small wild animals and 
birds. 
Turacus corythaix. (Green Loury.) 
Shelley, Cat. B. xix. p. 440. 
These Turacous are common here, their hoarse croaking 
being constantly heard in the thick bush. The nest is built 
2 n 2 
