EANHS BULLETIN NOVEMBER/DECEMBEK 1 983 CONTENTS Revised Subscription rates /. . . Ten great places to see birds in Kenya. Part 2 Notice . , . . A note on the swarming of a moth Day of the frogs Distribution and ecology of Chamaeleonid Society camp in Menengai Crater Letters to the Editor Notice . . ..... „ . o . The EAITHS Library Elsamere Conservation Centre Request for information lizards Notices Christmas is A.~ coming Society Functions The Journal 82 83 87 88 83 89 90 91 91 92 92 93 93 94 95 96 * * vc * * jV A A * * * sV * A- * )V A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A REVISED SUBSCRIPTION RATES - Valid from January 1984 LOCAL Life Membership Institutional (Schools, Libraries etc.) - - - - Annual- - Full- Annual Junior (full time students) ---------- Annual KShs. 1500.00 ** 100.00 ” 100.00 ” 10.00 OVERSEAS Life Membership Institutional - Full- - Junior- - - - - Annual Annual Annual US$144.00 Sterling £90.00 " $11.00 " £7.00 " $11.00 ” £7.00 " $11.00 ” £2.50 NOTES 1. SUBSCRIPTIONS are due on 1 January. From 1 July onwards, you may join for half the yearly subscription and receive publications from the date you join. 2. JUNIOR JIEMBERS do not receive the Journal. 3. LOCAL MEIIBERS living in Kenya are requested to note the new rates and to complete and return the enclosed renewal form promptly with their subscription. 4. OVERSEAS MEMBER.S are being notified individually of the change of subscription rates. 5. STANDING ORDERS are being discontinued, as their processing has become extremely cumbersome, complicated, unsatisfactory and expensive. Members concerned are being written to individually. 6. LIFE MEflBERSHIP please note that on further consideration your Executive Committee has decided to resume this category of membership . Chairman & Members of the Executive Committee, EANHS. A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A r\ A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A 82 TEN GREAT PLACES TO SEE BIRDS IN KENYA : PART 2 In part 1 of this series (EANHS Bulletin 1933: 65"7!). I proposed to take’ the reader through a selection of Kenya’s many habitats with the aim of putting him./her in the vicinity of as many bird species as possibl-e. As soon as I got into the ’nitty gritty' however, ’ten’ became just a part of the title and birds touchied upon included those of pelagic, coastal and estuarine habitats, coastal forest, a rift valley lake at intermediate altitude on the southern edge of Kenya's arid north, and finally the relatively specialised migrant trap at Ngulia, We carry on that vein, looking at areas in the north- west of the central highlands around Kapenguria, at a camp to the southeast of the highlands near Kibwesi and, finally, at Lake Naivasha, a high altitude rift valley lake and bird locality of international renown, THE LOCALITIES 4. The Kitale-Saiwa- Kongelai area VJhen thinking about places to be mentioned in this series of articles, I toyed with the idea of an account of the renowned Kongelai area of north- west Kenya but had no personal experience of the place upon which to draw. However, in company with Peter Fletcher and in pursuit of an ever-growing life list (what a give-away!), I have just made a trip up there and the results were so successful that to omit this area is completely out of the question. Apart from its suite of 'western and northwestern’ birds , the main points to write about derive from Lise Campbell’s suggestion that, as a source of reason- ably priced accommodation information on birds et plus que un peu de lorhomie \ I stay with Tim Barnley: many older Kenya naturalists x^rill knov/ what I am going to ramble on about but I am fairly sure that others of more recent vintage w^ill not, so here goes, Tim and Jane Barnley live just off the ro.ain Kitale-Kapenguria road 22.6 km north of Kitale and they offer tX\^o types of accommodation; you can either camp in their extensive garden (and leave your tent and possessions in complete security during the day - which is rare enough, anywhere novj) , or you can take full board accommodation in their two spare, comfortable double bedrooms. There are hot si■lox^7ersJ baths, bedding, everything you need, and sufficient food to satisfy even my porcine tendencies. Engaged as we were in the some- what fast and furious occupation of searching for species new to us and at the same time feverishly collecting bird atlas records, we were seldom, in for breakfast or lunch but ample food and hot and cold drinks were provided to take out and the breakfasts and lunches that we did attend were also ample. To me, an interesting day’s birdwatching followed by a hot shower and then some good food and good company is extrem.ely agreeable, and I can only say that the area and the Barnleys provided these amenities superbl}?- ~ and at very reasonable price. Full board accommodation is for a maximum of four people and advanced booking is required; full details and charges available on request contact Tim and Jane direct at P.O. Box 332, Kitale, by letter or telegram. Their house is not obviously signposted from the main road but they will forward map on request,, or leave one for you to collect at the Kitale Club (on left of main ro.ad from Eldoret, just south of Kitale) . If completely lost in their area, a request for ’Lwana Timmy* may well put you on the right track - it helped us tremendously. Another amenity is the 48 km (30 m.iles) of trout fish- ing along the Murun River. As Tim has been leading bird safaris in this area for many ^’'ears it came as ■ no surprise that, bis knov?ledge of local species is vast: you mention a bird , that you would like to see and. he can very likely tell just how and where to see it. LTiat did come as a complete and utter surprise however was the competence of at least one of his field assistants: for K.Shs.30 per day, you can hire the services of Mr Dickson K. Chepus as a guide to the birds of , the area and here, for me, was the most astounding and incredible part of the 83 visit. Having engaged the services of local bird-finders in many countries and often having been disappointed, I started out with a healthy scepticism and with the reassuring thought that, if Dickson could at least take us to interesting areas, then we could identify the goodies ourselves. What followed was remarkable. At first a few high-flying birds were identified on call, and I felt my initial suspicions were to be justified! names would be thrown at anything that moved and if we were not experienced enough to contradict these identifications then our list was going to be (a) long and (b) absurdly incorrect. However, as that first day wore on and more and more of Dickson's identifications ~ performed v/ithout binoculars and very often on the basis of the bird's calls ~ proved to be absolutely correct, it dav;ned on us that we were in the presence of an expert, and I can only express my admiration. Of course he is not infallible, no honest birdwatcher in the vrorld is, but he is very good. I think his cro^ming achievement was the detection of a Spotted Creeper, silent and well camouflaged on its tree bark habitat, about 20 metres up a tree, the base of V7hich was over iOO metres distant: THAT is eyesight! So, you go to Tim's, hire one of these bird guides and he either shows you around the good bird areas, identifying most of the species for you, or you name what 5'ou would like to see and you will be taken to kno\;ithin reach of many of Kenya’s northern birds and is recommended, kkiere the road crosses the Malmalte River at Chepterr (Nakait) into South Turkana and within a few kilom.etres north of the bridge and village, all five of Kenya’s Roller species can be seen during November. Also look out for Quail Plover along this section of the road, north to about Katilu, The Katilu Guest House (details from the Manager, Katilu Guest House, Box 1215, Kitale) could well make a good forx-zard base f ) . Just east of Tim's place are the Cherangani Hills: I cannot give details as I have never visited them, but there are Lammergiers, Spotted Creepers and highland forest and of course Tim’s guides x^^ould point you at places /birds . You have never had it so good.' Finally, the best months for a visit to the Kitale area overall are from October to the exid of March, the worst months are June to August inclusive. Get up there! 5. Bushwhacker’s Safari Camp In these times of ever-increasing accommodation costs, Bushwhacker’s Safari Camp is the ideal place to see birds of the lox*7er bush country cheaply and, in addition it is a beautiful and very peaceful spot. To reach it, drive along the main Nairobi -Mombasa road as far as Kibwezi and there branch northwestward on the B7 road tox-zards Mutomo and Kitui; after about 9.5 km (6 miles), turn right over a small culvert (the only one you v/ill see after leaving Kibwezi); 6.4 km (4 miles) further on is a large sign to the camp, which is finally reached after another 8 km (5 m.iles) . Except in really torrential rains the track is passable to saloon cars, the sandy soil being much improved by normal rains. Accommodation offered is basic but sufficient: bring your ox^m tent and camp at K.Shs.7/50 per person per night, or hire a banda at K.Shs. 35/- per person per night (with shov/er) or K.Shs. 39/- per person per night (with bath), all prices subject to alteration. Book directly through Mrs J. Stanton, Bushwhacker’s Safari Camp, Box 33, Kibxjezi. Drinking xxrater is available, and cold beer and sodas can usually be purchased; bring your own food and give advanced notice of intention to rent fridge space. Mattresses, pillows, crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils and gas burners are provided in the bandas, but payment is extra for mosquito nets and bedding. There is a sv/imraing pool, which is most welcome after a hot day. At one time, there x/as concern over the security at this camp and even rumours of its closure hox^ever, the situation is now much improved. Secxirity is now ensured by efficient day and night askaris, and the grazing of large numbers of goats and cattle within the camp’s grounds has been stopped: thus the site is again a most ' attractive spot to xrander quietly around birdvxatching . And birds do abound as shoxvn by Derek Pomeroy’s graphs of total numbers of species seen in the area (Lexers & Pomeroy i982). The Athi River runs along one boundary of the camp and the Wliite-f routed Sand Plover breeds periodically. Some of the many species of the mixed bush and tall tree habitat are listed by Pomeioy & Tengecho (1982: Masalani = Bushxzhacker ’ s area), and others include Orange- bellied Parrot, Verreaux's Eagle 0\ainly at four points. Three are signposted along the Moi South Lake road: the Lake Naivasha Hotel (book through Block Hotels, Nairobi), Safariland (Box 72. Naivasha; telephone Naivasha 29) and Fisherman's Camp, in that order. All have boats for hire to birdwatch on the lake, and all have excellent birdwatching along the lake edge and in the adjacent Yellow-barked Acacia Acacia xantliopiloea groves. Personally, I shy away from any hotel charges these days and in this area prefer the reasonable value and beautiful situation of the top camp at Fisherman’s Camp (Briffett 1982b), v;hich is 17.5 hm along the Moi South Lake road from its junction with the old Naivasha - Nairobi road. Camping and excellent bandas are available, and the top camp is freer of insects than the one near the lake; all bookings through A. A, Travel, Box 40087, Nairobi, further details from Mr M. Carnelly at Box 79, Naivasha; telephone Naivasha 5Y2. There is also camping at Safariland. The death of Roger Mennell in February of this year was a very sad event for a great number of people in Kenya; he was a most friendly character and everyone x^ill rem.ember the warm hospitality that pervaded visits to his Korongo Farm, It is thus very good to know that his v;ife Lucy is continuing to provide the very reasonably priced accomimodation, either full board, self- help or camping, at least until the end of this year; I can only hope that it proves a continuing success and that Lucy Mennell will carry on. Access is via the Moi North Lake road, left off the old Naivashct - Nakuru road north of Naivacha toxma; as I remeirtber it, there is only one fork in the Moi North Lake road, at iFnich you bear left (that is you continue on the MAIN road that keeps nearest to the lake); Korongo Farm is signposted on the left approximately 20 km after leaving the old Naivasha - Nakuru road. The farm grounds are beautiful acacia parkland, and there are also lake and lake-edge habitats; an added bonus: across the Moi North Lake road from the farm is a track up to a small gorge v/hich has Cape Eagle Owl and Wailing Cisticola. Korongo is in general a splendid place to see birds, including the elusive Pearl-spotted Owlet and the recently colonising Blue-spotted Wood Dove. To collect an over- seas birdwatcher from Jomo Kenyatta Airport at night and transport him or her to Korongo, or indeed any area of the Naivasha lakeside, for the following dawn v;ould be an incredible introduction to African birds. 86 The birds of Naivasha are well listed (e.g. Williams 1967); there are few real specialities but the sheer number of species is impressive. One group that many observers find confusing are the numerous noisy lovebirds that abound in the acacias around the lake: these are descendants of escaped cage birds and while both Fischer’s and Yellow-collared Lovebirds are supposed to be present, they have predominantly interbred to produce a hybrid which has more of the features of the latter species (Cunningham-van Someren 1969; Forbes-Watson 1972; Mann & Britton 1972; McVicker 1982), A trip to Naivasha should include a visit to the Njorowa or Hell’s Gate Gorge: about 14.5 km from the junction of the Naivasha - Nairobi road and the Moi South Lake road, turn left near an electricity sub-station and sign in at the barrier; proceed along a dirt road to an obvious 90° right turn in view of the gorge’s cliffs and drive towards them; beware ot thieves and do not leave vehicles unattended. This area may be made into a National Park but I do not know how this is progressing. Besides the spectacular cliffs and the isolated volcanic neck of Fischer’s Tower (Thompson & Dodson 1963), this northern end of the gorge is a locality for Lammergier, Egyptian and Ruppell’s Vultures (see the latter roosting on the cliffs at dusk: Lexvis 1982c), Verreaux’s Eagle, banner. Mottled and Nyanza Sxvrifts and Wailing Cisticola (the latter on the screes at the base of the cliffs) . ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am very grateful to Lise Campbell, Eric Risley, Terry Stevenson and Don Turner for various bits of information connected x^fitb these localities, ADDITIONAL REFERENCES Briffett, C. 1982a. Camp at Saiwa Swamp, 1 1 th - 13th December 1981. EANHS Bulletin 1982: 15-17. 1982b. Society Weekend at Fisherman’s Camp, Naivasha. EA.NHS Bulletin 1 982 : 110-112, Cunningham-van Someren, G,R. 1960, Escapes of FS ittacula krameri and Agapornis spp. breeding in Kenya, Bulletin of the British Ornithologis ts ' Clu L 89: 137-139. Forbes-Watson, A,D. 1972, Birds naturalised in East Africa. EANHS Bulletin 1972: 144-146. Ivens , G.W. 1967. East African Weeds and their control o Nairobi: Oxford University Press. Lewis, A.D, 1982c. Field trip to Kell’s Gate, Naivasha, EANHS Bulletin 1982: 14-15. &. Pom.eroy, D,E, 1982, A bird atlas for Kenya EANHS Bulletin 1982: 64-70, Mann, G.F. ^ Britton, P,L, 1972. Naturalised birds on the Kenya coast. EANHS Bulletin 1972; 181-182. McVicker, R.A.M. 1982, Exotic birds in Mombasa, EANHS Bulletin 1932: 74. Thompson, A.O. & Dodson, R.G, 1963. The geology of the Naivasha area. Geological Survey of Kenya Report No. 55. NOTICE After the last EANHS visit to Bushwhackers Safari Camp, between 15 and 17 July 1983 an altimeter was found on the camp site. Would anyone who has lost one please write to Mrs Jane Stanton at Bush- whackers Safari Camp, P,0, Kibwezi. 87 A NOTE ON THE SWARMING OF A MOTH From about 6 - 14 March 1983, residents of Kampala City were mesmerised by unusually large swarms of a usually uncommon species of moth Achaea catocalaides Guenee (Family Noctuidae, subfamily •Catocalinae) . Rough estimates on walls of buildings at Makerere University gave diurnal densities upwards of 50 mpths per , and similarly high numbers appear to have invaded other parts of Kampala, including bushes and hedges. Swarms of the same species were reported during the same period at Jlbarara and Fort Portal in Western Uganda, Mbale and Soroti in Eastern Uganda, and later, at the beginning of April at Kisumu in Western Kenya , It is not knovrn where the moths came from. Inquiries as to whether there had been unusual numbers of lepidopteran larvae in the region prior to the swarms have been negative; nor has there been reports of larval outbreaks since the swa7:ming. This seem.s to rule out the possibility that the moths may be a pest of cultivated crops. It may well be that the moths flew in from outside the. region. The family has an Africa-wide distribution (including Madagascar) and includes species which are known migrants (M. Clifton, pers . comm.). It seems plausible to assume that these sv/arms of A. catocaloides had migrated into the region. So far as I can make out, no previous record of swarms of this species has been made in the region, nor can any of the senior citizens of the region to whom I have talked remember anything like it taking place in the past. I 'wish to record my thanks to M. Clifton of the National Museums of Kenya for help in the identification of the moths. E.M. Tukahirwa, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. DAY OF THE FROGS EARLY JUNE, LATE AFTERTnOON . It V7as a dull overcast day, promising rain, but there had been several such days previously when the rain clouds had disinteg- rated into blue skies. There was an insistent rustling in the garden that would not be denied, so I sauntered out to see 'v;hat gives'. The rustling was emanating from the fallen Cordia leaves covering the lawn. The cause - several hundred frogs thought to be the African Clawed Frog (those flat jobs that we are alwaj^'s scooping out of the swimming pool) migrating over the laTm, up past the servant's quarters , across the road to my neighbour's house and presumably on dovm to the Kitisuru stream at the bottom, of his garden. The neighbour's children vrere squealing with delight as they bashed what frogs they could with brooms, I protested at their behaviour but my neighbour insisted they were t7.ying to get into his house; I assured him that they were more likely trying to get to water, I tried to find out where they had come from, but I must have caught the tail-end of the migration as the trail went cold half-way down my garden. The column, if such a scattered, untidy mass could be called that, was about 30 metres across and pressed forward relent- lessly with the intensity that seems to accompany all such mass movements. My gardener took one look at the frogs, and said it was going to rain. About half an hour later, returning home after visiting Lise Campbell, the heavens opened and I had to put my windscreen wipers at double speed and still could not see to drive. Jili Campbell said these frogs were normally in water and one did not often see them, on dry land, and she identified them for me from 88 my description. The migration seemed to be confined to the one column crossing my garden as I could find no trace of other migrations along the road. This is the first time in the five years that I have lived in this house that I have witnessed this phenomenon. D. Brass, Box 59196, Nairobi. LECTURE BY Dr J.J. HEBRARD ON DISTRIBUTION & ECOLOGY OF CHAMAELEONID LIZARDS IN KENYA Chamaeleons are certainly among the most puzzling and fascinating of all creatures not only among lizards. Dr Hebrard in this lecture dealt only with the distribution and habitats showing us maps which of course I cannot reproduce for those who were not there. But what did I learn from the distribution? Chamaeleons are an extremely ancient race. A fossil was found during the excavations at Fort Ternan which has been dated at about 14 million years ago. It cannot be placed in any of the present species, but it is an undoubted Chamaeleon, and must have lived in much the same way as they do noxsT. Varying times have not forced much change upon them in all these years in v;hich most of us have changed so mtich. There are only two genera, the ordinary Cliamaeleon x^hich v?e know, and the pygmy Chamaeleon BrooJzesJ.a of which Dr Hebrard found- a small population in the Shimba Hills. Otherwise they have not been found nearer than Southern Tanzania. They are comxnon in Zambia. Chamaeleons al' seem to have, originated in East Africa, though one species has been found in Southern Europe and another in India. One wonders how they got there I But most of them still live in East Africa and Madagascar. They must be considered an extremely successful family in spite of their slow movements and lack of any form of x^?eapcns offensive or defensive. Their very appearance is apt to excite fear. I have seen a Fiscal Shrike eating one, its red blood attracted my attention. But many human beings consider them very dangerous, and even my dogs it they find one grounded and Standing in front of them with open mouth, make many quick feints at it before a final snap, leaving me time to rescue it if I am there. But of course its chief defence is its cryptic colouration combined vjith its very slow movements. It lumts its prey by xv^aiting as its long extensile tongue makes it unneccessary for it to pursue its prey. It was interesting too, to hear that it sometimes eats things that do not m.ove fast, like small snails, and has teeth with which it can crunch these. Changes of colour can also indicate mood, in the presence of other cham.aele.ons and at night when asleep they turn pale. Dr Hebrard found that the best v;ay to find them x«7as at night in the headlights of a car or with a good torch. In spite of their slov? movements and apparent helplessness they have managed to colonise m.ost habitats from m.outain moorland to the coast. Dr Hebrard and txvo colleagues wrote a very interesting paper for our Journal (No. 176 of September 1982) in xixhich they described a study that they made of ,Caamaeleo hohnelli in‘*Ehe Aberdares comparing it with the Skink MaLuya varia which inhabits the same area. I shall not repeat any of it now, but members who received it, should look it up again in connection with this lecture. Another study that Dr Hebrard made was in the Athi plains below Luken^^a, where in the dry xveather there is' very little moisture or insect food. The Society 89 made a "Dudu crawl*' in that area some time ago and I was astonished how few insects we managed to find. In such an area in dry weather the only green spots in the landscape are the Balanites bushes y and a sort of intersexual competition seems practised by the Chamaeleons. The females are larger and occupy the Balanites and are green in colour vjhile the males are banished co the ground or the leafless bushes and are appropriately brown in colour. In hard seasons the population probably dies off wholesale, but builds up again quickly when better times return. Dr Hebrard did not make the mistake of trying to tell us too much or show us too many slides, but left us eager for more. I cannot help being sorry that, now-a-days, it is the fashion to cut the question time so short. The meeting is closed and those who are interested gather round the speaker to ask questions which if asked and answered in the open would allow profit to the rest of us. Of course those who are in a hurry must go, but those x-rho are not .night stay a little longer, until it is time to put out the lights. In the early days of the Society, meetings seem, to have taken the form of someone reading a paper which was then discussed and the discussion seems to have been the main part of the meeting. But of course they had no slides in those days. P.M. Allen, Box 14166, Nairobi. SOCIETY CAMP IN MENENGAI CRATER 26 - 28 AUGUST This camp x^as held on private land in the Menengai Crater by kind permission of Mr and Mrs P. Barclay. They also provided excellent maps to show us the V7ay to the camp site and of the crater tracks. Some lucky people x\rere able to arrive on the Friday afternoon while the main party assembled the following morning. The camp site set aside for us was delightful with plenty of shade under the Acacia trees, a green grass carpet and a plentiful supply of firevjood provided by our hosts. The lava floor in this part of the crater appears to be much older and weathered than the floor usually seen from the vioxsT point on the opposite side of the crater. As a result it is more fertile and supports a varied flora. While we. saw a variety of trees, the dominant species were Protea gaguedi and Tarchcnanthus camphoratus . There were extensive thickets of the former species, some in flox'xer, and a unique sight. The area has obviously been burnt over in the past year, as the Tarcho.nanthus seen were all regrowth from burnt stems. This is the plant known as Leleshwa. We saw a variety of ground orchids, and in one place, most surprisingly a clump of Impatiers sodenii.^ xMiich is usually associated with damp wet situations. Gould this have been a garden escape? About forty species of birds xvcre identified on the bird walks which was disappointing as one v/ould have expected m.any more. I suspect that this vjas due to the absence of our usual hard core of experts who were not with us on this camp. There was a marked absence of birds of prey, the only species identified being the Augur Buzzard. With the cliffs full of Rock Hyrax we expected to see eagles and other predators and if they had been there we would have seen them It started to rain on Saturday evening which upset our usual camp-fire discussion, but it was clear and fine again on the Sunday morning. There were nine vehicles with tx-zenty five participants x^rhich was a very manageable num.ber, althoxagh more were expected. The organisers, Tim and Lise Campbell x^ere unable to attend due to illness and we missed them. 90 I speak for all of us on the camp when I say how grateful we are to Mr and Mrs Barclay for allowing us to camp in this very beautiful and interesting place. Those who did not attend missed a unique experience. Tom Grumbley, Box 200 5 Kiambu, Kenya. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Sir 5 I note Miss Allen's letter on the subject of life membership in your September /October issue. I think that Miss Allen has mis-read the notice on the subject in your previous issue. She assumes that existing life members are affected by the decision, vjhereas the decision is only to cease to accept new life members from the effective date, that is IS May, 1983. Another solution may have been to raise the cost of life membership to a realistic level, but no doubt this was also considered. It may have been desirable to have this matter discussed at the Annual General Meeting. Hoxvfever, the fact that existing members are unaffected m.eans that people like Miss Allen continue to enjoy the privileges for their life-time . Tom Grumbley, Box 200, Kiambu. Sir, Thank you for letting me see Mr Grumbley 's letter and for the opportunity to reply. He has of course missed the point of my no doubt ill-expressed note. It was quite clear from the original announcement that existing Life Members would not be affected by the new rule. What I questioned was whether the Executive Committee, which is appointed to carry out the policy of the Society, can make what appeared to me to be a major policy decision without reference to a full meeting of the Society at an Annual General Meeting. P.M. Allen, Box 14166, Nairobi. Sir, At Samburu Game Reserve on 14 August, 1983 at approximately 10 a.m., we watched a large Verreaux' Eagle Owl Bu Jo lacteus pluck and eat another Owl. Feathers collected at the site were positively identified by Mr Cunningham-van Someren as those of a Spotted Eagle Owl Buto africanus . There is little doubt that the larger owl actually killed the smaller owl. Peter Davey, Box 15007, Nairobi. N0TI3E Since the above two letters on the subject of Life Membership were typed, notification has been received from the Executive Coimnittee that it has been resolved to rescind the decision to discontinue Life Membership. See page 82. 91 THE EANHS LIBRARY Dear Members The joint Library of the E/iNHS and the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi has been improved and expanded tremendously. The Library is indeed a major achievement which the Society has contributed to its members in particular and to East Africans in general. Recently, the Society benefited from a donation of over K.Sh. 200000.00 which was used for the expansion of the Library, and for which we are very grateful. The Library hox'^ev.er , lacks one vital section of a complete Library, which is a bindery. The two major pieces of equipment needed for this are: 1). Ah Electric Guillotine and (2). A Press Down Machine, both being estimated to cost roughly USE 20 000 . A gift of or donation for either or both of these machines, even second hand ones, would be appreciated. We are told that either a German or French make of these machines Tvould be preferable. Please write to us if you have any offers. ' Thank you, EANHS Executive Committee P.O. Box 44486, Nairobi, Kenya. , ELSAMERE CONSERVATION CENTRE In November 1983, the Elsamere Conservation Centre is to be opened at Lake Naivasha by the Elsa Trust (Elsa Ltd). This will consist of the late Mrs Joy Adamson's house, v;hich has been enlarged and there will be acconrmodation for thirteen people in six double and one single room, vrith full board at very reasonable charge. Elsamere is NOT an hotel and is for the use of bona fide research and conservation vrarkers such as University groups, writers or film makers working on natural history, members of genuine Conservation tours visiting Kenya and members of recognised scientific societies which includes the E/iNHS, Members of the public may visit Elsamere every afternoon between 3.0 p.m. and 5.0 p.m,. and the lake frontage and forest walks will be open to them. An entrance fee will be charged which will include afternoon tea. Elsamere is situated on the South Lake road and; is, 23 km from Naivasha town. ' ■ There is a Warden in charge from whomi full details of the facilities available can be obtained. The address is: Elsamere Conservation Centre, Box 4, Naivasha. Tel. Naivasha 50Y9. 92 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Will anyone having information on the nature and timing of Bustard displays please write to me at the address below. I am interested in details for Koriy Heuglin'sj White-bellied, Black-bellied, Hartlaub’s and Buff-crested Bustards and of particular concern is the situation in ?leru National Park. Further work is continuing on the tool-using behaviour of the Egyptian Vulture. Questions arising from the x^!ork include the nature of post- fledging dispersal of immature birds, x^hether or 'not they remain xi/ith the parents, and if so, for how long. Will anyone who makes observations of Egyptian Vultures, or has done previously, please send me details of the make-up of parties seen. Observations of single birds are equally welcome. Details should include; date, location (including proximity to nest if known), number of birds and their ages. All letters will be acknowledged with thanks. John Fanshawe, Box 15563, Mbagathi, Nairobi. WANTED Upland Kenya Wild Flowers by A.D.Q. Agnew. Joan Root, Box 43747, Nairobi. Dale & Greem^^ay, Kenya Trees and Shrubs. A. Speich, Box 59434,,. Nairobi . One baby’s pram or pushchair . Adrian Lewis, Geology, Box 30197, Nairobi. FOR SALE Roberts, Birds of South Africa 1966. Sh.200/-. Jex-B.lake, Gardening in East Africa. 1960 edition Sh.200/-, 1934 edition Sh.l50/-. All these books -are in good condition. Tom GrumbLey,. Box 200/- Kiambu. Full selection of camping equipment. Mrs van Rensburg, Box 4116-8, Nairobi. TO LET Coast House, 30 km north of Mombasa. Secluded in 10 acres of grounds with own stretch xjf sandy beach. Large sitting room and .dining room, huge verandah. 4' double bedrooms each with own dressing room and bathroom. Mains water, own generator. Fully furnished. Gas cooker, fridge and freezer (but no linen). Ideal for two families. Sh.650/- per day high season, Sh.450/- per day low season (plus 15% Govt, levy) , Apply to Mrs A. Brown, Box 90154, Mombasa. Tel. 312403 (office hours). FOUND A black jumper, at last lecture meeting in the Museum Hall. Apply Secretary. NOTICE The price of the Bulletin will be increased to Sh.lO/- per copy from January 1984. 93 CHEISTMAS IS A-COMING We have the following suggestions for those stocking fillers: ; Encyclopaedia, of Mammals Encyclopaedia of Insects & Arachnids Aloes of Tropical Africa and Madagascar Birds of East Africa (2 Vo Is.) And how about a couple of packets of our Notelets with envelopes (you can add stamps for local arid overseas postages plus airmail stickers)? An ideal ''pressie’' for Aunt Ada, Cousin Maud or Great Uncle Fred who find it a little difficult to get out and about but who still enjoy writing to family and friends. For budding colouring-in youngsters, we have a delightful book v;hich will keep . the artists occupied for hours. Tis’C records ~ 'Sounds of Mature’ - 'Birds of the African Rain Forests’. A bargain at Sh,90/- for the set. SUPPORT YOUR society! Come in and see us any Monday, Wednesday or Friday 9.30 am to 12.30 p.m. Your suggestions as to future Field Trips, Weekend- Camping Trips and other activities will be most welcome. Once again, the Editor of . the. Bulletin urgently requests contributions. Should any Members have taken a holi4ay abroad recently, may we suggest that a note on the natural history, particularly if of another African country or the off-shore islands, would be of great general interest. Please remember that NO CONTRIBUTIONS ~ NO BULLETIN or a' very meagre one. TIME FOR A. CHANGE Since before 1971 I have been organising the Functions for the Society except for short periods, when we have been abroad. We have mad'e many friends, learnt a lot and been to many interesting places. However, as we shall be away from Kenya a lot in the coming year I feel it is time for a ’’New Look” at the functions programm.e, A new approach is needed to get members more involved with the planning. Please come forward with new ideas of what you would like to do and how you can help plan the Society Functions. I am sure there are plenty of members with bright ideas, so please see the Secretary or the Committee (see above!), I shall be away until the end of October, but there is a full programme up to and including January 9, 1984. Lise Campbell, Functions Organiser. SOCIETY FUNCTIONS MONDAY 14th November, 1983: In the Museum Hall, Nairobi at 5.30 p.m. Dr Esmond Bradley Martin will give an illustrated lecture on "THE DECLINE OF THE AFRICAN AND ASIAN RHINOCEROS". SUNDAY 27th November, 1983: All day excursion to "POTHA" near Machakos , by kind arrangement of Mrs Dorothy Percival. Please meet at the National Museum at 9 a.m. sharp and be prepared for x^alking, bring your picnic lunch. There should be plenty of bird activity and wild flowers blooming at this time. lOth - 12th December, 1983: week-end camp to Sotik, by kind invitation of Mr and Mrs C. Ziegler. This camp will be on private land about 15 km from Sotik on a tea estate, but with xi/ild areas with plenty of opportunity for bird watching and botanising in a seldom visited area. Sotik is in Western Kenya. Members should be self-sufficient with all camping equipment, food and drinking water. Anyone wishing to take part in this excursion should please fill in the enclosed form and return it to Mrs A.L. Campbell, P.O. Box 14469, Nairobi with a stamped self-addressed envelope before 20th November. Further directions and details will then be forwarded. MONDAY 5th December, 1983: In the Museum Hall, Nairobi at 5.30 p.m. FILM SHOW "The Living Planet" and "Season in the Sun" both films are kindly loaned -by the Wildlife Clubs- of Kenya. MONDAY 9th January, 1984: In the Museum Hall Nairobi at 5.30 p.m, A lecture;details of which will be announced in the next issue. ’ MONDAY 21st November, .J 983:. A SPECIAL EXTRA LECTURE in the Museum Hall, Nairobi. Given by Dr Lester L. Short, who will be in Kenya for a limited period..- His subject: THE HONEYGUIDE/lUilOWN’ AND UNKNOWN. WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRD WALKS: Led by Mrs Fleur N'gweno continue. Please meet at the National Museum at 8.45 a.m. sharp. NOTICE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN BIRDS: are you a birdwatcher /photographer /ringer newly arrived in Kenya, and in search of details of local birds, good areas to visit, relevant - literature and ringing and other research schemes?. Contant Adrian D. Lewis (Geology), Box 30197, Nairobi, for information. 95 THE JOURNAL The following Journal part is ready for distribution. No. 179 Predation by Mongooses;, rodents and snails on Sitala jenjnsi (PFR.) Achatina fulica Bov;dich and other land snails in coastal Tanzania, by P,F. Kasigwas A.J. Mreina and J.A. Allen. Would any local member who has not opted to receive all Journal parts and who would be interested in having this paper, please return the enclosed slip to the Secretary who will then arrange to post it. May we wish all members and friends a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year! I v/isli to receive Journal paper Ho. 179 d ane (pi ease print clearly) Adclr e s s ; . . cut along s THE EAST AFRICA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY I Chairman: Prof. J.O. Kokwaro Vice-Chairman: Dr. A.D. Lewis Joint Editors: Jl E. Africa Nat. Hist. Soc. Nat. Mus.: M.E.J. Gore, Ms. S. Karmali Secretary: Mrs. H. Fletcher Treasurer: Dr. S.G. Njuguna Hon. Librarian: Mrs. C. Taylor Executive Committee: (in addition to the above) Mr. G.C. Backhurst (Ringing Organiser), Mrs. A.L. Campbell, Mr. N.K. arap Chumo, Dr. D.J. Pearson, Mr. D.K. Richards, Mr. D.A. Turner Co-opted Members: Mr. P. Davey, Mrs. J. Hayes, Mr. J.S. Karmali, Mrs. F. Ng'weno, Mrs. K. Smalley, Mr. P.B. Taylor (Nest Record Scheme Organiser) Journal Editorial Sub-Committee: M.E.J. Gore, Ms. S. Karmali Ornithological Sub-Committee: Dr. D.J. Pearson, D.A. Turner, G.C. Backhurst, A.D. Lewis, T. Stevenson, D.K. Richards, M.E.J. Gore, M.E. Smalley, K. Howell and N.E. Baker, J. Beesley (Tanzania), M.J. Carsell and D.E. Pomeroy (Uganda), B.S. Meadows and J.F. Reynolds (United Kingdom) Joint Library Sub-Committee: (Society representatives) Mrs. C. Taylor, Mr. N. arap Chumo. MEMBERSHIP This offers you free entry to the National Museum, Nairobi; free lectures, films, slide shows or discussions every month in Nairobi; field trips and camps led by experienced guides; free use of the Joint Society- National Museum Library (postal borrowing is also possible); reciprocal arrangements with the Uganda Society's Library in the Uganda Museum, Kampala; family participation: wives and children of members may attend most Society functions; one copy of the EANHS Bulletin every two months; a copy of each Journal published during your period of membership; the Society controls the ringing of birds in East Africa and welcomes new ringers and runs an active Nest Record Scheme; activities such as plant mapping and game counting are undertaken on a group basis. Membership rates are given at the foot of this page. JOURNAL The Society publishes The Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum. Each issue consists usually of one paper, however, sometimes two or more short papers may be combined to form one number. The aim of this method of presentation is to ensure prompt publication of scientific information; a title page is issued at the end of each year so that the year's papers may be bound together. Contributions, which should be typed in double spacing on one side of the paper, with wide margins, should be sent to the Secretary, Box 44486, Nairobi, Kenya. Authors receive twenty-five reprints of their article free, provided that these are ordered at the time the proofs are returned. E.A.N.H.S. BULLETIN This is a duplicated magazine issued six times a year, which exists for the rapid publication of short notes, articels, letters and reviews. Contributions, which may be written in clear handwriting or typed, sliould be sent to The Editor (EANHS Bulletin), Box 44486, Nairobi, Kenya. Line drawing will be considered if they add to the value of the article. Photographs cannot be published. SCOPUS The Ornithological Sub Committee publishes this quartely bird magazine. Cost: EANHS members KSHS. 75/= p.a. All correspondence to D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi, Kenya. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION RATES Institutional (schools, libraries) annual p^ment: KShs. 70/= Full Local and overses annual payment: KShs. 70/= Junior (full-time student, no 3r, Journal supplied) annual payment; KShs. 10/= Subscriptions are due 1st January. Form 1st July you may join for KShs. 35/= and receive publications from that date. /Application forms for membership are obtainable from the Secretary, Box 44486, Nairobi.