NAAN ERY Wd LL Wadia %, IAN lV Birth cde NO WTR NIM UN ev Ate yal aie EAL E Bal eis eta Sh tatoin ucemel eee taal Sern ein soabysonek etal vonen 9 blah Ntaed Ngati Nae! he I ol Aa lle ib m ae PWN TVS ab NAV ay IM AE PAWS frogs fi PVs deg Da het a Kinven H eh ER ithe U NN te tee Na oe BINA CUD EVIL LAE ALLY RT GLEN EVIL AIT yap ey sage HINA CDI Yee LY EVD Me ba'G Moat buvYS Ot SHY BY MOLNAR MENT ed ote! { NWN ALM DEAE AMR TEC AIM NMR Lak Ne SP Lt CON Shoat AD Gy PSA ey Ph Becta thee raed hail ete ta MEA MEN Deliv NI hy ith line reece pi ry Me RTT : Tia Hey Nn ie 8 Le Cattinte fin Ble Ta BEI Die faa Se URS MN WHE NAY fic ite Deu B ritichecatatetuaavet Neteme na MIS ee WAP MARE AG PSTN EN tet ats IM se read eRe Abate We ALA win te WE Be ite HEAT, Oe ite ine « ane x UMA aI PY Ing YU YA PUCCINI YA He 50 un BAM PY Minny I SENAY TOTO LEU IN fed tal Nota Me ae TUN a) 1M shen DDS TNT ET HRN Oh dal Mbps A a Re WAT Bay ve MENS PMN IEAM EU LE OANA Dba ini HOA MN Wave Qh Ekta ng PAWN Hi TL Aa Oe Hit mya Be PAY Wap ESM G INAS A ny ya GN te You toa Dots tte ere MAY ER eld AS yin WI Eee nh eye ab Ma We dNAE EU ba ery i DR Date 1 ee a SANG the the Meee TEA IN OAS ATE AWN ped bahia iy ya SPR R Oe eR a a ee Ade WEY 9 Vg AE Ne vey Seth pte HUMMER VAS SOULE Vi avy atid ree : rer WAU Mas HN IEE IO AY Om Ins LORE LYN INI ah Aue Devvu\e ' CTV IN MOL GG by Bg EMESIS NULL Sy gt MANS UV Bir Ie beeen bernie ny NEM HNL Nae aA AEN AY dari UH Ne fe BO NRL Ud Me dh ny etd nn ey Ney Oe AMV Say DRT Ak oy aR ANVIL tude EMS tt be eT UAL tl EV LOL ait WYRE BW by Wedd g IVOV ua rh ys ek dally Te wah 3 Sabine Nae eile REG @ Mele BS EHR Doh bt AFIS HEM a a ES Me MN a tha fee bik Shey IN OLAE WR Me ALN Pek W Ur toy ay NT EB dee 1 gyal MuhEFO A Useatey vo fe Moh eFC YA aT toe UVP ees Peery Eph Ke de My pe’ ‘ Aa MeN fq thin Madi hh Katie che Mane Celina Ke Uy BUN ME edie tm ONG ¥ Aearena.d yee 0 PRN MAUS BS ipusntyn tera Ain dele ¢ A mala oie Se Belay Bei aM WE wr at eer iat Meh wie CU che MEEEIN TE Alihes WY VAY vey et et gtk ern Mah Mah Loa y NA ite Oe VAN Eh ay TIO PAIN aM Cit Mhedy BYE Wat AMY Aah inh My Sie SA RL a ee eae Sar BA EUG NSAP Mo Sa RHIAN Pd yf ML idey ee f AN MY Cdr rent eM ETI AVA ewe abe Libatyh MAINT Dy te BAL Oe UN Seda TN EME Me Or oe Tes TAY Oba y MEME UV IN ye INVA EA LIL git alpen ltt Velea VME EO ay Lath eh ib ab alh al ISLA MSY PUI LVN baled tithe UMS TW atedie dials Ay! Pe oan TEE dei Why dy yma wih s Porn Heaton vay iia i Cn the PRUE NI eb vd HAY odb fb at Cat Py Capt Pihatextm VN aie chert EEE OV ERY Sedibeatove'o it ANE 0s Sue th PRIMO ee BEL ME LIC IY Tu Msedin dle TM aNd NGI IEW Su Pod IY OY AN TET Nile rs Chodit WANA Graby ba bg lb 4 IVC E IN PL TN NEA Can, by SANE MELS LG AVON NN ANCE LLY ED INARA U LEW HL yh aes ont dl FOB IN IVA ribet Yh Geeta a Ne ahes Cais wii SHEE AEE Wee ad AY EY SF heatpe f AY Ate AUMV IN IMI Gy ode ts 4h 2 BY DRE Da DNAS Tey DMM AGL vida Es Tt: PAA A DANN TEES AW y Cah fied oy TENT AO CM PY CVS WAN EE Dy re ANA bd BPAY ATS ES ESE INI ANGINA dee LAREN IW DY 1 Lee TYING, GE Covey ad NE ale pyeeee Py Deg th Yt vere We rte Bed OU Kiet My ed OS fee 7 SEMON EN TY AM DL TEAL AY de nico 4E MY AEN AN Cy dN hw Iu hep vd FOTN UB PL TO OA Rea 0 Sa a kV ded ONS PMA YS OV Rtg ave, Ds PL ROS DS Set NDNA AWS RAL YN at MAL MeL OV a IN tind Lt at SPY at NWA Go wae TEP eA Ql yy Aa EN eM MN SIN vy Pw NOEE Tan aah JN EL YW ELA Viphed) dN y DEVE SYN hay vit wyvi ne inilty dW 4 NN et div Cumin Spa Dy nae, Coen PM IDR NIM ory, VEN de Mags "dN heya Teen nett . EE UNS TENN oy’ BE UO Theans EAA CG sbeebs whe Nye ut PHOS ve AG pogity bull Pgh hata 3 ° ' ee vy! VEU Siayti yh ALS U EH IN EYEE TR SSN Hedy Dept La SU ded CO et aes Ge SY Cr ory ee Eh yA M ON ITAA Yih V vei yen bes es bea ee nod MUNSTER ME AV UE MPN OO Wd ODN ou de th EN vibe Fee PVM ING SDN pets ths Re ee ee TP SST EMSS VEN TM yet WNVV TRUER IVS OU te aA a byt Site, WN Hal Wa AY wa . oo le dea hd me the ae ene AN FG De PDAS NA ENE ON AME TIN TLE Gh PVR A UI ALD Lb oI Le By Seay Lined ge Peer ery rer val ast “ a TY « st eee oe te Cee Sah el Ce Vote ten ay ty fede y o, 2 i Ree Aten] Dee ’ PUM UI Mla vie 4 Peycaly 9 : 4 lope rete ote cloned bentn sel wie hedge Oot Be DUI eta dN OER Sites uty seb eay due EIGN SIDE IN Aug te fit oye t HILAR ESVY INTE TESS TALE AVIV IAN GD fy Hoan SAN dls des Le EEN LAN ds sow WED Tye od oboe or dee Budyen Aaa Mie SVN Wy Weyl Piaalth ath guard Vi Sacer aM dn Oat PER aber Nese th Me UT Weeds el ANUP EDN TRANG HME Ep rd CHE I diy SMA ENTE DG Bact MAM LISELI ALANA Y ETE TEL yeh tae tae Vee, PVA TIENEN AIMS EE UN SILAS ay eu Yuebre Vg NTE a CVV e a ebath y ; 9 Me De YH LEN UN MOD yt ey 4 diy Lape NONE Me Mae TREY Cb VAY nue Bal Abad wedi PRES G ON Bhd ODE CUI IE US Ld eh LAMAN UW LEE AE Meat PRI diirdth abide & tie eee ert ee TLRS ett dora! iV rete J Venn EOE TM Me aoe ebay With Pde MW Ld Vd PRR ACE RT yc Oey LO ee ae aCe ee 1 SOEUR CTE EAM el 8h ge att ik VEN TUNVEMU ALCO Ey ee WU Nh YA agted Win ty Coa lve eevee Se RP Ae ANS PAIL Med esti tid rorerrors ATSB Ly St ethos yt death yi MI A GLE te LTA OL FE, NEON IO OD Wey h gies eee bla, gh out bv ri DPNAN Eo AARAT TAI MAL GESTED DL EN dood she disidin Jal on CS Metta Dot SUN BLD Rd ee aU sa MOL SAL UL IUAMH RL Teal ti NAL Ewe ONY ETN ALIN EB © Vic aye tytd ‘ TiN PETE AY HEY Pe TN a MN UAE INIT Dba Side ly MINT Wh EITM NS Gal ere el EEO AVANT UALS ALES D Mie ae UC ESL AYE Shit YON 9 evulb vin PINE OW EN Mea ot! een Neer eT eT SEV AS Us OM du dt TLD tea LNA ae VLE EN AUIS VLMa pudiybad dhe yh MDI TS MONE HTT TRE UD Ae alall ah ae Wed de vy ty Fevibo Dede nbd AUIS Sb aA fi ey Chak ga yy toby LU Sg rn a Lie pete tik ale a FO M8 MEARE ie ewe tn ita ste Se Ne getiy REE PRU Oty yale Mas ay Oe see ed anne ta sie Bip Tis tress ter te Net eda LPL EEAS peg EM te VGN Seda Yb raion Medes d PAL ANDY LO ALIME INS pSV EL UL tad ay RD Chae NSE RD orn fade WSS ae ee teWEN A Ty by ity ea ee oe SS Fei ee AV DW Nt eee ee CH dnt vot WW So sen Wate tr hE Cie ney: Wt dew VEN AEE SC ep eh Me de Os eT ae ae Mea Pedals Nae a Pe Meme RES Mare ware hy Ne PA Tats thee ‘ace eee Ve E Sei Oey, STUN ARON PLONE EY Mt Nan dthath Wedd Hb ale May ag Mah iG UE ean at wie ea ot yi YN deel VEE TPE Due VN e NE re Ren en IYO ee oy BEM EN ANYON ho aly ged ey SEC E MEWS POLE OI bd vewh, Ved years SP INDN GT yee AN slice tab “as PREVIN AN Be UY TOE EN UE bie doe die Wie FIV UMMA NS etek de dip aber WELANTT OLS VSS Ab re AVA SEAL VN AN IN SENTEUN Ah any web ihee OY Med Dy VOR Nate ty Gh ab Ve beets Iiete UMigof en Cesar wh yy wh et Si ti! wees Sed tea bul PAN hy Na ty STI AO ie de dont das ae Nee Ue ENC te ar a Maths te ede at, wilted eaente sweet SO ei Pe Batata, Petes INS Se heatuste ts oN Mee wel he YEW MP Uy gt NET ERAN IEG Sh It ateogceenh UTES Wo 6 Joerg el ENE ON woh eww dN sella nig Mean oes Be Ove vee dit WO ate ela ee oN a bat be SONNY Led VAL CS Sr Ld oh Yunthantey y ONCE aa te Ch a ae Ve PR OU UN wey ene an errata iie erat eh eae adds Mavens ENS ity dk Sent diel dbcrm ate RM ey iy OUT AES Vareedy rar ae Dy Tg ’ MMOL EEA WN Ys v tds VE thy ot : De ae ARE LN te ews meh, vat 9 at rN cee HNN eee LS eat te ek ee te a te Wee Ratatat Mamie tey wv Laeeedty what Ae te Bey ee ae ene ee aon coe Soe Gated event ght Mor Adee dhOS Ned eaten et Weel Inga WMO Age ome er eT eae ATI tay Dr ee ieee Orete wae ahew dae ‘iba gh ir ae wnt y Per eri WAN ay Rita DLP Le eee a OVI Sea DODO yuo pow Puls HUY ed teva lees VaR REE BE Wed ne set VEIN all yt ar Cale Morse SedGatin tee SAN Veteeky Astin sent vee AION EDA Ve ve ow Wome ee) aXe eels een or DV aeety, ede he Nee ive a Fave wine Wy ag Wn ea ee pt ye Sepals Fha beens on ot WnePae WOR wwe ty SE eee etek ae yy Nenad ISSN 0250-4162 A publication of the Ornithological Sub-Committee of the East Africa Natural History Society Edited by Graeme Backhurst Volume 15, No. 1, August 1991 SCOPUS Cover illustration from a gouache painting by Dr P.A. Clancey Scopus is normally published three times a year (although issues may be combined) by the Ornithological Sub-Committee. of the East Africa Natural History Society. Subscriptions are payable to the OSC Hon Treasurer (and Secretary) D.A. Turner [tel. Nairobi 48133], Scopus a/c, Box 48019, Nairobi, Kenya, at the following rates: Kenya residents: Ksh 150.00 (Ksh 160.00 up-country) All others, surface mail: Stg £6.00, US $12.00 or equivalent in convertible currency All others, airmail: Stg £7.50, US $15.00 or equivalent in convertible currency Bank Drafts in Kenya currency cannot be accepted This is because our bank charges almost as much as the value of the draft to process it. The rates “or ‘All others’ apply to subscribers in all countries other than Kenya. Those wishing to remit by bank transfer should do so to Barclays Bank of Kenya Ltd., Market Branch, Box 30018, Nairobi for credit of D.A. Turner, Scopus a/c No. 2852601. Other members of the Ornithological Sub-Committee: G. C. Backhurst (Chairman, Editor of Scopus, and Ringing Organizer), Box 24702, Nairobi; house tel. 891419, office tel. 501301. N. E. Baker, Dar es Salaam; Dr L. A. Bennun, Nairobi; Dr M. J. Carswell, England; M. A. C. Coverdale, Nakuru; J. H. Fanshawe, Watamu and England; Mrs C. Gichuki, Nairobi; N. Gichuki, Nairobi; Dr K. M. Howell, Dar es Salaam; Dr W. Karanja, Nairobi; Dr A. D. Lewis, England; B. S. Meadows, Saudi Arabia; J. E. Miskell, Kampala; D. C. Moyer, Mbeya; Dr D. J. Pearson, England; Prof D. E. Pomeroy, Kampala; J. F. Reynolds, England; D. K. Richards, Nairobi; T. Stevenson, Baringo. Co-opted members: Dr H. A. Isack, Nairobi; Mrs S. Kamau, Nairobi. Notes for Contributors Scopus welcomes original contributions on all aspects of the ornithology of eastern Africa—the area from the Sudan south to Mozambique. Contributions will be assessed by independent referees. The material published is divided into ‘papers’, ‘short communications’, and letters. Short communications will be usually less than two pages in length. Authors are asked to follow the conventions used in Scopus and to refer to a recent issue for guidance. A few examples of conventions are: dates: 23 September 1991 [note the order, no Continued inside back cover Scopus 15: 1-23, August 1991 1 Avifauna of Nguuni near Mombasa, Kenya, between September 1984 and October 1987: Part I—Afrotropical species Colin Ryall Nguuni is an area of bushed and wooded grassland and ponds, a diminishing habitat in this part of the Kenyacoast. An avifauna survey was carried out over a three-year period noting seasonal occurrence, breeding activity and habitat preference. This first paper deals specifically with Afrotropical species and will be followed by one on Palaearctic migrants at Nguuni (Ryall, in prep.). Detailed observations on ploceid breeding will be dealt with elsewhere. Throughout this paper names of months are abbreviated. Study area The site, comprising the Nguuni Property and the southern portion of the Husseini Dairy Farm which abuts it, lies about 8 km northwest of Mombasa Island (3° 59S, 39° 42E), has an area of about 300 ha and an elevation of 30—50 m above sea level. ‘The area is amosaic of habitat types. Itis aregion of low hills covered by rough grassland punctuated with Acacia and some patches of dense bush and mixed thicket. The grass- covered slopes are subject to seasonal burning, are overgrazed and in places deeply eroded, perennial dense grass cover being restricted to the valley bottoms. In the southwest is the most extensive (about 3 ha) area of mixed Lantana bush and low Acacia woodland which harbours most of the skulking species. The site is dissected by shallow valleys containing a number of small dammed ponds—nine in total. These are mainly fringed with Typha and Cyperus in which several species of ploceid nest. Only two ponds have substantial cover of water-lilies Nymphaea as well as extensive reed beds. There is a sparse scattering of doum palms Hyphaene coriacea and coconut palms Cocos nucifera in the valleys and two small patches of old coconut plantation. Apart from two baobabs Adansonia digitata, the area lacks sizable trees, and fruiting trees, e.g. Ficus, Commiphora spp. Asmall sheep farm is situated centrally and provides a unique habitat in the form of denuded, dusty pens particularly favoured by wheatears Oenanthe spp. in which stand a number of large Acacias whose dense canopies have coalesced. In the north of the study area is the largest dam, the “Husseini Pond”, which early in the survey had extensive growth of water-lilies, Typha and Cyperus beds and was the principal source of gallinule, Jacana and Pygmy Goose records. Though the dam had long been breached, a shallow pond persisted until Oct 1986 when failure of the short rains caused it to become permanently dry. The dam was repaired in 1988. In the northeast of the Nguuni Property is an open shale quarry of about 5 ha containing a permanent but shallow pool and four narrow prawn ponds, long disused. The quarry remained devoid of vegetation for the duration of the survey, but for some sparse grass and stunted Acacias on the quarry floor, and dense Typha on the prawn ponds. The shallow pond remained denuded and was the site for the majority of records of large wandering species such as pelicans, ciconiiform birds and raptors. The sloping quarry sides are exposed, arid and gullied by erosion, and are attractive to wheatears and pipits Anthus spp. Human disturbance in the area was restricted to water collection and periodic clothes washing at one pond early on in the survey but greatly increased with the influx of squatter farmers to the periphery of the study area and included some cutting of the larger Acacia trees. No hunting of birds apparently took place in the study area, however. Zz Colin Ryall Methods The study area was visited 187 times between Sep 1984 and Oct 1987, mostly between 16:30 and 18:30 hours, but occasionally between 6:00 and 8:00 hours. Site visits were made a minimum of two and a maximum six times per month. The time available for visits varied from 1 to 2.5 h. To improve comparability between months, the study area was divided into six sectors of similar size each centring on one of the larger ponds. Birds detected by sight or sound in each sector were recorded separately. Depending on available time, some, but not all sectors were visited on each occasion, but all sectors were visited at least once per month. Each sector contained a mixture of habitat types. Though birds were not usually counted, a semiquantitative assessment was achieved by estimating the percentage of the sectors visited per month which contained each species. In addition, the habitat preferences, breeding activity and other noteworthy observations were recorded. In the case of infrequent species, numbers seen were usually noted. Table 1. Number of sample sectors visited each month of the survey ES AMP Ae VE eee eer Ome 1984 6/ ¢ LOtov6} atl 1985 6 gD Spt Os 2262) eBoy LO peels See Ti ees 19861) 20 sa) 15) vi24ey; 18 522d) (195; AD in lebald; pe20 pet Gael 1987 D ah8 2 ud3y ww vu2ZN ied iisobs ty 20 159 Gls Climatic variations Rainfall data measured in the shale quarry at Nguuni and at Bamburi were provided by R. Haller, Bamburi Portland Cement Co. Ltd. The southern Kenya coast receives most precipitation during the “long rains” in Apr— Jun with a secondary period of rain during the “short rains” which are far less reliable but typically occur in Oct-Nov. The 1970—1986 annual mean rainfall for Bamburi, 3 km to the east of Nguuni, was 1420 mm compared with a Mombasa mean of 1211 mm given by Brown & Britton (1980). That for the Nguuni shale quarry for 1984—1987 was 1161 mm, while the total annual precipitation (TAP) was 1292 mm in 1984, 1102 mm in 1985, 1241 mm in 1986 and 1108 mm in 1987. Figure 1 shows the monthly rainfall at Nguuni from Jan 1984, nine months prior to the start of the survey, to the end of the survey in Oct 1987. Though 1985 was an overall dry year the limited rainfall was distributed throughout the twelve months. The failure of the late rains in 1986 resulted in a drought; ponds were not replenished and by Dec 1986 even the larger ponds, normally considered permanent, were dry, Typha beds died back and though Cyperus beds survived relatively unscathed the grassland became denuded, arid and dusty. Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 3 Rainfall mm 1984 1985 1986 1987 TAP = 1292 mm TAP = 1002 mm TAP = 1241 mm TAP = 1108 mm Figure 1. Monthly rainfall (mm) at Nguuni shale quarry from January 1984 to October 1987; the survey period is shaded. The total annual precipitation (TAP) for each year is also given. Species observations The following annotated list includes all 196 Afrotropical species recorded at the study area in the 38 months between Sep 1984 and Oct 1987. Where relevant, reference is made to personal observations from elsewhere on the Kenya coast. Appendix A presents the monthly occurrence of each species at the study site: those recorded in more than 32, or 5 or less, survey months are omitted (data for these are given in the text). Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Recorded in May—Dec in each year, one or two birds being seen regularly on two larger ponds with fringing vegetation. They were thus absent during the dry season when pond levels were lowest. Flightless juveniles were seen in Aug and Oct 1987. Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus A flock of 11 birds was seen at the shale quarry pool in Mar 1986 and a single bird in Feb 1987. Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens All records were from the shale quarry pond, with single birds in Apr 1986 and Sep 1986, and a flock of six in Oct 1986. Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus Resident throughout the study period except Jun—Sep 1986 and Dec 1986—Apr 1987 during the prolonged drought when ponds dried up. No breeding was recorded. Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Single birds, of theresident race/.m.payesii only, wererecorded from two ponds with extensive Typha beds in seven months, becoming more frequent during the prolonged rains in May—Sep 1987. Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii One was seen in Aug 1987 in a Typha bed in the shale quarry. P. B. Taylor (pers. comm.) recorded the species at Nguuni in May 1981. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Individuals were recorded in eight months of the study period. The 4 Colin Ryall species breeds in the area but not at the site and mainly frequents coastal lagoons. Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala The commonest heron, breeding locally, seen feeding in grassland or at pond edges in 32 months of the survey. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Lone birds were seen in Mar and Apr 1986, and in Jul 1987; all at a pond with luxuriant fringe growth. Madagascar Squacco Heron Ardeola idae This intra-African migrant was common in stands of Typha in May—Nov. The Squacco Heron A. ralloides was not recorded. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Common throughout the survey accompanying livestock during the day and departing at dusk for large roosts in mangrove swamp 3 km or more distant. Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus Regular throughout the survey (23 months) on two of the ponds, though none was recorded in Apr—Oct 1985. No evidence of breeding. Great White Egret Egretta alba Recorded spasmodically, mainly as solitary birds at the shale quarry pool, a pair was also seen in a baobab tree in Mar 1986 and four overflew with four Little Egrets Egretta garzetta in May 1986. Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca One feeding at the shale quarry pool in May 1986. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Though common on coastal lagoons, they were seen only three times at the survey site; Oct 1984, May 1986 and Oct 1987 all being white morphs. African Reef Heron Egretta gularis A white phase bird in Aug 1987 at the shale quarry pool. Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia Individuals were present in six months in Jun—Nov at the shale quarry pool. Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax One was seen perched in an Acacia near a pond in Oct 1985. Hamerkop Scopus umbretta One was repeatedly seen in Jan—Feb 1986, a pair was sighted in Mar 1986 and another in Oct 1987. The species is not common anywhere at the coast. Open-billed Stork Anastomus lamelligerus Only two solitary birds were seen at Nguuni, one prior to and one during the survey period, Jun 1984 and Mar 1986 respectively. This indicates a lack of suitable habitat/food source as they are not uncommon in certain wetlands on the coastal strip. Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii One was seen by the shale quarry pool in Nov 1986. Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Present in small numbers in 17 months at the shale quarry pool and a pond with an exposed mud bank, but was absent in Jan—Aug 1987. In Nov 1986 two birds at the shale quarry were persistently mobbed by nine Indian House Crows Corvus splendens. Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis Four seen at the shale quarry in Mar 1985 followed by one to four recurrently in Jun—Dec 1986. Hadada Bostrychia hagedash Present in small numbers during 28 months, feeding by pools or on moist grassland, or calling from perches in palms. In May 1986, 17 seen feeding in wet grassland near the sheep station. Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopica Though common on coastal lagoons they occurred in less than half the survey months, in ones or twos, mainly at the shale quarry. African Spoonbill Platalea alba One was seen on two occasions at the shale quarry in Jan 1985 and a young bird remained on a mud bank at one pond throughout Mar 1986 but, when the grass in the area was burnt off, it moved to the shale quarry in mid—Apr and then disappeared. White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata Commonly seen in groups of up to 13 on various ponds in Apr—Oct in all years, with only two sightings outside this period. Evidence of breeding took the form of small chicks in Aug, Sep and Oct 1987. Numbers increased markedly in Aug 1987 with a flock of 32 being seen at the shale quarry in Oct 1987. Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus A flock of between 10 and 13 feral birds was resident throughout the survey, mainly by the shale quarry pool. Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 5 Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhynchos Recorded once during this survey, a flock of six birds in Nov 1987. African Pigmy Goose Nettapus auritus Frequent at the coast on waters with good lily cover, but rare at the study site; single birds were seen on the two lily-ponds in Aug 1985 and Jan 1987, and pairs in Sep and Nov 1986: Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis Single adults were recorded in Dec 1984 and Mar 1985. A common species at sites south of Mombasa and further north, but not often seen in this part of the coast. African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Lone wandering birds appeared at the shale quarry in Oct 1984 and Mar 1985. Harrier Hawk Polyboroides radiatus One was seen in Jun 1985 perched by a Black-headed Weaver Ploceus cucullatus colony. Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus Encountered not infrequently in less populous parts of the coast, but only a single bird was seen at Nguuni in Oct 1987. Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus Single birds or pairs of the race C. g. pectoralis were seen overflying or searching for prey on seven occasions in six survey months in Aug—Jan. Great Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus It is not uncommon as a breeding resident in the region but was scarce at the study site. Adult birds were seen twice in Jun 1986, and Jun 1987; and a juvenile in Mar 1987. That in Jun 1986 was seen in flight carrying adoum palm nut gripped in one extended leg. Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus A juvenile was seen in Feb 1985 and adults in Mar, Nov—Dec 1985, and Nov 1986. Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Lone birds seen quartering the area in Aug 1985 and Aug 1987. Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi Solitary birds were seen in Jul 1986 and Aug 1987. The species regularly breeds in a coconut palm within 10 km of the study area. Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus Several birds were resident at the site hunting mainly from perches in doum palms and presumably breeding there. They were recorded in 28 months, being less evident during the long rains (Apr—Aug). Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis Spasmodic, occurring in seven months of the study period. Gabar Goshawk Melierax gabar Single birds were seen in Nov 1985, twice in May (one melanistic) and once in Oct 1986 and Jul 1987. Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax poliopterus One was seen on a post in grassland in Feb 1987. Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Lone birds were seen perched near larger ponds twice in Oct 1985 and in Mar and Jul 1987. A pair was observed drinking with Black Kites Milvus migrans at the shale quarry pool in Mar 1986. Black Kite Milvus migrans Common throughout the study area in all months. Specific records of races were not kept. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Resident at the site, often seen in pairs, commonly hunting over open grassland. Breeding was indicated by a pair collecting nesting material in Jul 1986, but they were continually harassed by Indian House Crows. A pair was seen displaying in Aug 1987. Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus Single birds were seen several times in the four months prior to this study. Survey records included two single birds overflying in Dec 1984 and Jul 1987; one bird was pursued by a pair of Black-shouldered Kites in Aug 1987 and one circled a large Black- headed Weaver colony unsuccessfully attempting to take weavers returning to roost, in Sep 1987. All sightings were made at dusk. 6 Colin Ryall African Hobby Falco cuvieri A single bird was seen in Oct 1985. P. B. Taylor also saw one in Sep 1981 (pers. comm.). Kestrel Falco tinnunculus A female/juvenile was seen with a mouse in Aug 1985 and males in Nov 1984 and twice in Dec 1986. In view of the scarcity of the resident races in the region (Lewis & Pomeroy 1989) they were possibly Palaearctic migrants, including an oversummering female or juvenile. Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus A solitary male was seen perched in a doum palm in Sep 1984. Harlequin Quail Coturnix delegorguei. They were only seen in Jul—Oct when there was dense grass cover after the long rains. Crested Francolin Francolinus sephaena Small groups were resident in dense bush and were recorded in 16 survey months. Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris Small groups were recorded on four occasions in Jan— Mar (Jan and Feb 1985; Mar 1986; Feb 1987). Guineafowl are subjected to heavy hunting pressure from the many small farmers in the vicinity. Button Quail Turnix sylvatica One was encountered on a track after dusk in Sep 1985 and another in grassland in Oct 1986. African Crake Crex egr.gia This trans-African migrant is a non-breeding visitor at Nguuni (Taylor 1985) and was seen or heard regularly in May—Dec in each year of the survey. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Single birds were seen on a large lily-pond in Jul and Nov 1985, and Mar 1986. Another was seen at a Typha-fringed pond on every visit in Oct 1987. Black Crake Limnocorax flavirostra Recorded at various ponds in 29 survey months, with juveniles present in May 1985 and Jun 1987. Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni As breeding residents on two ponds with extensive lily cover (juveniles, some flightless, seen in Oct-Nov 1985, Jan 1986), they were recorded regularly until the ponds were nearly dry in mid-1986. Two isolated sightings of single birds at a pond without lilies in Jan 1985 and Mar 1986, the latter coinciding with the contraction of their preferred sites. Purple Gallinule Porphyrio porphyrio Single birds were seen on the larger lily-pond with expansive reed beds in Jan and Oct 1985, and Jan and Mar 1986, but then the pond level fell because of leaking dam and no further sightings were made. African Water Rail Rallus caerulescens One was seen on a large lily-pond with large Typha beds in Nov 1985. Jacana Actophilornis africanus Like the gallinules, Jacanas were restricted to the lily-covered ponds where they bred, chicks being observed in Oct 1984, late Aug, Oct-Nov 1985 but disappearing as the ponds dried. There were only three sightings on ponds lacking lilies, all of lone adult birds. Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis One seen in Oct 1987 in inundated grassland. Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris Present continuously at the shale quarry pool but spasmodically at other ponds with seasonally exposed mud banks. Chicks seen at the quarry in Oct 1984 and Oct 1985. Senegal Plover Vanellus lugubris They showed strict seasonality at Nguuni: flocks being common in grassland in Jan—Jul in each survey year but never outside this period. Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus One was seen at the shale quarry pool in May 1987, during rains after a drought. Spotted Thicknee Burhinus capensis One at dusk on eroded bushed grassland in Feb 1986. Water Thicknee Burhinus vermiculatus Common resident throughout the survey, though restricted by day to a mud bank at one pond and a sheltered corner of the quarry. Heuglin’s Courser Rhinoptilus cinctus Single birds were seen in May 1986 and Oct 1987, in long grass near Acacia trees. Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa | Madagascar Pratincole Glareola ocularis One was seen standing on bare ground near the shale quarry pool in Aug 1987. Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Two were seen in Sep 1984, and small flocks occurred in bushed grassland in Jul-Nov 1986, and Jun—Oct 1987 when observations ceased. Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola This common breeding resident was recorded in all sectors in 35 months. Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata A breeding resident recorded in 31 months, it was restricted to areas with larger trees and absent from open grassland and the shale quarry. Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Though recorded frequently in Sep—Dec 1984, they were rarely seen subsequently, except for a flock of 14 ina tree in Jun 1987. Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos A common resident in all months in areas of bushed grassland and thicket. Green Pigeon Treron australis Observed on only five occasions, all in Oct-Jan (Oct, Dec 1984; Jan, Dec 1985; Oct 1986), three of which were at the only large fig tree in the area, during its fruiting period. Brown-headed Parrot Poicephalus cryptoxanthus Common in large baobabs and coconut plantations along the coast but scarce at Nguuni. Apart from pairs in a large baobab tree in Sep 1984 and Jan 1985, all sightings were in Oct—Aprat the large fig tree in which Green Pigeons were also seen. White-bellied Go-away Bird Corythaixoides leucogaster Lone birds were seen in Acacias in Nov and Dec 1984. Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius Though never numerous, this species was recorded in all but nine months of the study. Klaas’ Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas Lone birds were recorded in six months between Nov—Apr. Black and White Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus There were six sightings, both black, and black and white morphs. Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus Regularly recorded in dense undergrowth in Jun—Dec in each survey year and but on only one occasion in other months (Feb 1986). Black Coucal Centropus grillii Only two single birds seen in Oct 1985 and Jun 1986 in damp areas with rank vegetation. White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus As common breeding residents, they were recorded in most sample sectors in all months of the survey. One was seen attempting to take Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava at their evening roost in Typha (Jan 1987). [African Marsh Owl Asio capensis One was seen overflying the study area at dusk in May 1984, prior to the start of the survey. P. B. Taylor recorded the species in May 1981 (pers. comm.).] Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense One seen standing on a path after dark in Mar 1986. Slender-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus clarus A common resident recorded in 34 months calling at dusk and dawn from doum palms and posts, rarely from the ground, and roosting by day on the ground under dense cover in drier areas. However, there was reduced calling and few sightrecords from Dec 1986, following prolonged drought, until rains in late Mar 1987. Four were observed indulging in a chasing flight and repeatedly emitting a characteristic bee-oo call, in Aug 1986. Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar Caprimulgus donaldsoni One seen on a track at dusk in Jul 1987. Gabon Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii One calling in flight at dawn in Mar 1986. Little Swift Apus affinis Though no suitable breeding sites existed in the study area, they were common throughout the survey, feeding over all ponds and at the shale quarry. White-rumped Swift Apus caffer Only recorded twice, lone birds seen with Little Swifts in Dec 1985 and Oct 1986. 8 Colin Ryall Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus A common resident breeding in doum palms, they were recorded in all months of the survey in all sample sectors. Breeding was recorded in Jul 1987. Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus This common resident was recorded throughout the study period from all sample sectors. Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus Small flocks appeared spasmodically in the area during the dry season in Sep—Nov (Oct, Nov 1985; Sep, Nov 1986; Oct 1987). Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Common throughout the region feeding on both freshwater and coastal lagoons, they were regularly seen on several ponds (recorded in 27 months). They were absent in Oct 1986—Apr 1987 when all ponds dried up. Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata This was a breeding resident on all ponds, recorded in all months. In May—Sep of each year they were more widely recorded, probably because during this period breeding activity made them more obvious. Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti This resident was recorded in 29 months in drier areas of open Acacia woodland. A pair nested in a hole in a baobab tree in late Mar 1986. Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala Recorded regularly in Acacia woods near water, predominantly in Dec—May with only one record outside these months (Aug 1987). There was no evidence of breeding. Mangrove Kingfisher Halcyon senegaloides Two seen at the study area in Nov 1985 and asingle bird frequented a small lily pond from Jun—Aug 1986. Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta One was seen in an Acacia thicket in Aug 1987. White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis Flocks of up to 40 appeared spasmodically (in 11 months), mainly from Oct—Mar with only two sightings outside these months. Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus They were seen from Oct-Mar overflying in large numbers or hawking for flies, commonly from a perch in baobab trees. Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus Small numbers were seen in Jul 1986 (4), and Aug (3) and Sep (5) 1987. Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudata They were common breeding residents recorded in all months in areas with larger trees, particularly coconut palms, on the broken-off trunks of which they commonly bred. Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus A single bird was seen perched on a wire by a track in May 1986. Scimitarbill Phoeniculus cyanomelas Single birds were seen in Acacia in May and Jun 1986, and Jul 1987. Green Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus Though groups were seen in 23 months, but were apparently absence from Apr—Sep 1986. There was no evidence of breeding. Von der Decken’s Hornbill Tockus deckeni Solitary birds were seen in Acacia in Feb 1986, and May, Jun and Jul 1987. Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus One bird was seen in Acacia in May 1986. Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus Though common in woodland and forest edge at the coast, the species was rare at the sample site, with only three single birds recorded. Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus Seen or heard in 17 survey months in an area of bush and Acacia. Black-throated Honeyguide Indicator indicator In Mar 1986, a female was seen entering the nest-hole of a Striped Kingfisher in a large bough of a baobab tree but was driven off by the occupants. Another female was seen near a bees’ nest in the same month. Birds were also heard calling on two occasions in Nov 1986 and once in Sep 1987. Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica Single birds were seen or heard in Acacia on seven occasions in Oct—Mar. Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 9 Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens In Sep 1984 a pair were seen investigating a hole in a dead coconut palm, but by the next visit this had snapped off at the point of the hole. Solitary birds were seen hunting for insects in Acacia woodland once in Nov 1986 and twice in Feb 1987. Red-winged Bush Lark Mirafra hypermetra Solitary birds were seen singing from low bushes in open grassland twice in Nov 1985, and once in Mar, Apr and Oct 1986. Pink-breasted Lark Mirafra poecilosterna One was seen in Mar 1987 in arid grassland, during a prolonged drought. Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea This species was a common breeding resident in all open grassland, being recorded in all but the last five months of the survey. Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica Though recorded in 22 months during Aug—Mar of all years, the species was seen only once in another month. Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica This, the commonest resident swallow, fed mainly over water in all months. Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis Seenin 14 months and more frequently in the dry months of Dec—Mar. Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Common in much of the coastal strip, the species was recorded only once when two birds were seen feeding at the shale quarry pool in Aug 1986. Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis Though present in all months, this breeding resident of woodland were more in evidence in Nov—Mar. African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus All three Oriolus spp. (including O. oriolus) were uncommon at the site. Lone birds were recorded in only 12 survey months. Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus Though common in suitable habitat at the coast, only one bird was recorded at Nguuni in a group of coconut palms in Mar 1986. Pied Crow Corvus albus They were seen in small numbers at the shale quarry and sheep station in 29 months of the survey. Frequent harassment by the more numerous Indian House Crow may be in part responsible for the small numbers. Indian House Crow Corvus splendens Though flying in daily from their roosts on or near Mombasa Island 9 km distant, they were common throughout the site in all months, concentrating in flocks where food was available, e.g. at the sheep station particularly during lambing, following grazing sheep and catching disturbed grasshoppers, or raiding ploceid nests. They frequently mobbed other birds, especially Pied Crows, Black Kites and Lilac-breasted Rollers. One was seen collecting nesting material in Sep 1985 but there was no other evidence of breeding at the site, this being largely restricted to Mombasa Island and the contiguous mainland (Ryall in press). Rufous Chatterer Turdoides rubiginosus Small family groups of this resident were seen in undergrowth in 15 survey months. Scaly Babbler Turdoides squamulatus Recorded only twice in the first 19 months of the survey, this species was subsequently heard or seen regularly in groups of up to five birds in the most extensive area of dense Lantana bush. Black Cuckoo Shrike Campephaga flava The eight sightings fell in six survey months between Aug—Nov and were of single birds except for three together in Oct 1986. Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus This common resident was often ob- served from the cover in the top of dense thicket and bush in all sectors in all months. Northern Brownbul Phyllastrephus strepitans Small groups of this noisy but skulking species were seen mainly near the ground in dense bush and thicket, in all but ten survey months. Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Common throughout the survey in all types of bushed and treed habitat. 10 Colin Ryall White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys Though common in the driest bush in the surrounding area, this species was only recorded at the sample site in nine survey months. Spotted Morning Thrush Cichladusa guttata Present in coastal bush and dense undergrowth only 3 or 4 km away, but recorded at Nguuni in only six months, all from Feb—May. The closely related Morning Thrush C. arquata was also seen within 5 km of the site but was not recorded within the study area. White-browed Robin Chat Cossypha heuglini A common breeder in patches of bush in all months of the survey. Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata One was seen in Mar 1987 at the sheep pens, an area also favoured by Northern Wheatears O. oenanthe. Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus tephronotus This resident was recorded in Acacia thickets in all survey months. In Jun 1987, a pair were seen feeding recent fledglings. Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris Though rarely seen, they were heard singing from the more extensive stands of Typha or Cyperus in 21 of the sample months. Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala Favouring Cyperus, this species was recorded in 19 months of the survey. In neither this nor the previous species was seasonality of occurrence apparent. Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura A common breeding resident recorded in 35 month in dense bush. Siffling Cisticola Cisticola brachyptera This species was recorded in all but six survey months, commonly singing from the top of a small tree. Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana Though common in dry bush throughout the region they were only spasmodic (11 months) at Nguuni. Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes They favoured long grass in moister areas and were seen or heard in all but six sample months. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Recorded in moister areas in all but nine months, this species became particularly common in Jun—Sep 1987 during a wet period with much inundated grassland. One was seen with nesting material in May 1987. Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis The least recorded cisticola at the site, there were only nine records, all from long grass, in Mar—Oct. Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Commonly seen in small family groups in long grass, typically with scattered bushes, they were present throughout the survey period but became more frequent in 1986/7. Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii Regular throughout the area mainly in Acacia and other small trees, this species was recorded in 26 sample months. They were detected more commonly in the morning than the evening which probably indicates their main period of feeding and singing activity. The Northern Crombec S. brachyura was never recorded at the site. Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus Characteristically seen in pairs in bushed grassland and Acacia, they were recorded in 33 survey months. Pairs were seen displaying and collecting nesting material mainly in Mar—May. Black-headed Batis Batis minor Recorded in 17 months, the species was restricted to Acacia and other small trees in grassland, often in pairs or family groups. The East Coast Batis B.soror was not recorded, presumably due to the lack of substantial tree cover. Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis Single birds were seen in Acacia thicket in Mar 1985 and Aug 1987. Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Restricted to bare dry ground on the sloping shale quarry walls where they were recorded spasmodically (18 survey months) becoming more frequent during an extended dry period in Jan—Aug 1986. There was no evidence of breeding. Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 11 Pangani Longclaw Macronyx aurantiigula This species was recorded in small numbers in 20 survey months, mainly in Mar-—Sep, in bushed grassland where they often indulged in display flights. Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus Far more numerous than the previous species with which it shared the same habitat, they were common in all months displaying in all sectors, particularly during the long and short rains. African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp They were largely restricted to the vicinity of the open shale quarry pool singly or in small numbers and were recorded during 16 months. Golden Pipit Tmetothylacus tenellus One to six birds were seen on six occasions in Jun—Oct (Sep 1984; Sep, Oct 1986; Jun, Aug 1987). Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla Though present in only small numbers, this species was recorded from thicket and dense canopy in all but nine months of the survey. Tropical Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus Present in 32 survey months in dense bush. Grey-headed Bush Shrike Malaconotus blanchoti The species was present in dense bush in Sep and Nov 1986 and Jul-Aug 1987. Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike Malaconotus sulfureopectus This species was scarce at the study area being heard in dense bush on only five occasions in Apr—Aug (Sep, Oct 1984; May 1985; Apr 1986; Jun 1987). Black-headed Tchagra Tchagra senegala This common resident inhabiting patches of bush in grassland was recorded in 11 survey months. The similar Brown-headed Tchagra T. australis was apparently absent from the area. Long-tailed Fiscal Lanius cabanisi Acommon breeding resident at the study area in all months, as it is throughout the coastal strip, in bushed grassland and Acacia thickets. Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster This species was highly seasonal in occur- rence appearing in large numbers in Feb each year, feeding in flocks primarily in Acacia, and departing in Sep. Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus Recorded at the site on seven occasions, five of which were in the same fruiting tree; only singly or in pairs in Jul and Sep 1985; Jun, Oct and Nov 1986; Mar and Jun 1987. Black-breasted Glossy Starling Lamprotornis corruscus Though common residents of the few forested areas remaining at the coast, small flocks appeared at the relatively treeless survey site only spasmodically. They were recorded in 13 survey months. In Aug 1985, 14 were seen feeding with Violet-backed Starlings in a fruiting Commiphora. Magpie Starling Speculipastor bicolor A flock of 16 of this nomadic species was seen in large Acacia trees at the sheep station in late Oct 1987. Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris Sightings of seven single birds all fell within four survey months (Jun 1985; Feb, Mar 1986; Oct 1987) and were in wooded bush. Amethyst Sunbird Nectarinia amethystina Like the previous species, they are common in suitable habitats in the region but were recorded at Nguuni on only seven occasions in four sample months (Dec 1984; Mar 1985; Nov 1986; Jan 1987), mainly on flowering Acacia. Little Purple-banded Sunbird Nectarinia bifasciata Recorded regularly (17 months) through- out the survey, they were present in small numbers in bush. Scarlet-chested Sunbird Nectarinia senegalensis This species was the commonest sunbird in the study area, being seen in 21 months of the survey. Up to 10 were seen together, typically feeding in flowering Acacia. Mouse-coloured Sunbird Nectarinia veroxii They were scarce at the site, individuals being seen only in Nov 1985, Dec 1986, and Feb and Oct 1987. 12 Colin Ryall Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons Very common in all but two months and bred in large numbers in most stands of Typha at the onset of both long and short rains. They became markedly scarce in the area in Nov 1986—Apr 1987 during a drought when most ponds dried up. They failed to breed with the start of heavy rains in Apr/May, the Typha beds being largely flattened or died back, but returned in Jul when the vegetation had regrown. Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris They appeared in sometimes large flocks from Mar— Oct; breeding males displayed actively but apart from a single instance of nest building in Sep 1987 no breeding was confirmed. Fire-fronted Bishop Euplectes diadematus A male in breeding plumage with an unknown number of females/juveniles was seen in a large mixed flock of ploceids in Oct 1986. A further two males and a female were seen in Aug 1987. Black-winged Red Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus Flocks mainly in non-breeding or eclipse plumage were frequent in long grass and reed beds in May—Oct, with only three sightings in other months. They were often in the company of Fan-tailed Widowbirds. No breeding was observed. Zanzibar Red Bishop Euplectes nigroventris Very common in all months, often in large flocks, they bred in most stands of the 1-m high Cyperus but rarely in the taller Typha. Golden Palm Weaver Ploceus bojeri Like the previous species, this was a very common breeder at most ponds during the rains though no breeding took place during the drought of 1986/7 until this ended in May 1987. Unlike the Grosbeak Weaver, breeding began immediately because they were not dependent on Typha for nesting sites but also used Cyperus beds, and occasionally in Acacia with P. cucullatus, both of which remained intact through the drought. Black-headed Weaver Ploceus cucullatus This species was very common in all months and bred in large numbers during the rains, several colonies ranging in size from 20 to 70 nests being located in doum palms or Acacia adjacent to water. With failure of the short rains in Oct 1986, so that ponds dried and the colonies were no longer near water, only a few abortive attempts at breeding took place but with the return of heavy rains in Apr 1987 the colonies were again active. Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius Seen in small numbers in 22 months and a few bred regularly during the wet season with other ploceids in Typha only at one pond. Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis Though never common, small numbers were recorded in all but nine months in areas of bush. No breeding was confirmed although a single disused nest was found in 1986. Golden Weaver Ploceus subaureus This species bred during the wet season in small numbers in the same stand of Typha as the P. intermedius and at the Husseini Ponds with other ploceids. Recorded in all but 12 survey months. Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops They were only recorded on five occasions feeding with other weavers (May, Nov 1985; Apr, Nov 1986). Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea They occurred erratically at the study site though never in the huge numbers experienced in the bush country further inland. Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger Throughout Aug and Sep 1987 a flock of up to 48 birds frequented the area and bred successfully in large Acacias at the sheep station. No other sightings of this species were made. Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus Although seen in 27 of the 38 survey months, they were seldom numerous and tended to occur mainly at the sheep station. No breeding noted. Yellow-spotted Petronia Petronia pyrgita One seen in Mar 1986 in bush during a drought period. Red-billed Firefinch Indigobird Hypochera chalybeata Singles seen in Feb 1985, and Mar and Oct 1986. Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Largely restricted to small numbers in the open area around the shale quarry being seen in 17 months. Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 13 Waxbill Estrilda astrild Flocks seen typically in moist areas with long grass in 23 survey months. Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga Markedly less common than the previous spe- cies but favouring similar habitat, they were seen in only ten months. One collecting nesting material in Aug 1987 indicates breeding. Jameson’s Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia Seen on only eight occasions in seven survey months. Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala Small flocks were seen, commonly feeding on tracks in all sectors in 22 months. Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus This species favoured open barren areas at the shale quarry or sparse and overgrazed grassland, where it was recorded in all months. Cut-throat Amadina fasciata They appeared during an extended drought period and favoured dry denuded situations. One was seen feeding with Red-cheeked Cordon-bleus in overgrazed grassland in Dec 1986; four at the shale quarry and two at the sheep station in Feb 1987. Black and White Mannikin Lonchura bicolor The rufous-backed race L. b. nigriceps occurred only rarely in the area being recorded in eight months of the survey, usually in mixed flocks with Bronze Mannikins. In Nov 1986 a flock of 30 was seen in grassland with scattered Acacia Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata This common species was seen in all but six survey months in all sectors. Yellow-rumped Seed-eater Serinus atrogularis Flocks, sometimes large, appeared in 17 months, mainly outside the rainy periods. Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus Their seasonal pattern of occurrence closely mirrored that of the previous species but they occurred as solitary birds or in small groups in 12 months. Discussion A total of 196 Afrotropical species was recorded during the 38 month survey. Of these, 86 were apparently resident (breeding and non-breeding), 57 were common locally but only occurred spasmodically at the study site, 12 were intra-African migrants and 41 occurred only rarely as wanderers. More than 50 Palaearctic migrants were recorded but are dealt with in Part II of this paper (in prep.). Sample bias inevitably resulted in under-reporting of skulking species, e.g., Little Bittern, African Crake, Harlequin Quail, Button Quail, Purple Gallinule, Rufous Chatterer, Scaly Babbler. Though dusk and dawn observations were normal, a lack of night-time visits may have caused under-reporting of nocturnal species, e.g., owls, nightjars, thicknees and coursers, though this was not the case with the commonly recorded Water Thicknee and Slender-tailed Nightjar. Seasonality and intra-African migration Thirty-two species showed some degree of seasonal occurrence at Nguuni and are compared with records in Lewis & Pomeroy (1989) Arrival and departure dates of the Madagascar Squacco Heron and Madagascar Bee- eater corresponded closely with the reported movements of these Trans-African migrants. The single Aug sighting of Pygmy Kingfisher coincided with local records of the race /. p. natalensis on its southward migration, and that of a Madagascar Pratincole fits the species’ reported movements at the coast. The presence of the Senegal Plover at the study site in Jan—Jul compares well with Apr—Jul previously reported for the coast, Carmine Bee- eaters in Oct-Mar matched the documented local influx, Yellowbills in Jun—Dec is close 14 Colin Ryall to the documented May—Oct, and the presence of Violet-backed Starlings only in Feb—Sep corresponds to their known pattern. A number of the recorded species are well known to undertake local movements, and observations correspond to existing records of occurrence or passage at the coast or Tsavo, e.g., Namaqua and Laughing Doves in Jun—Nov/Dec, and Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher in Dec—May, a Broad-billed Roller in May and transient Black Cuckoo Shrikes in Aug—Nov (Lack 1985). Aseasonal migration has been postulated for the Short-toed Snake Eagle and certainly my records all fell within Aug—Jan but, as in the Nubian Woodpecker (Oct-Mar), seven sightings may be too few on which to base assumptions on patterns of local movements. The somewhat erratic local movements of the Golden Pipit are well documented but little understood; in this survey they were seen only between Jun—Oct. The spasmodic appearance of coastal residents including Green Pigeon, Brown-headed Parrot, African Golden Oriole, Blue-eared and Black-breasted Glossy Starlings was related to the presence of fruiting Ficus and Commiphora, although the general lack of food trees and woodland inhibited their residence in the study area. Closer to the coast where extensive planting of neem trees provides plentiful berries (Britton 1981) both species of golden oriole (O. oriolus and O. auratus) are often common (pers. obs.). Seasonal influxes of Harlequin Quail (Jul—Oct), Black-winged Bishop (May—Oct) and Fan-tailed Widowbird (Mar—Oct) may relate to the presence of dense grass cover and ample seed during and after the long rains. Seasonal incrementation of some resident populations including Little Grebe, Mala- chite Kingfisher, Drongo, Croaking Cisticola and Pangani Longclaw are probably more apparent than real, and reflect changed behaviour patterns which rendered them more conspicuous, e.g. courtship display in the last two species. The increased frequency of Striped Swallows (Sep—Mar), Mosque Swallows (Dec—Mar), and perhaps the appearance of Mouse-coloured Sunbirds, during their non-breeding seasons (Brown & Britton 1980) may be explained if they feed close to their nesting sites during breeding, which takes place some kilometres from the study area. . Extensions of Range By comparison with Lewis & Pomeroy (1989) —the site lies within square 102D—this Survey indicates some extensions of range and renewals of old distributional records. These are listed below with the numbers of sightings in parentheses: Renewal of old range records (presence): Gabon Nightjar (1), Spotted Morning Thrush (6), Siffling Cisticola (numerous), Red-faced Crombec (numerous). Extensions of range (presence): Hamerkop (6), Red-billed Teal (flock of 6), African White-backed Vulture (2), Short-toed Snake Eagle (7), Pygmy Falcon (1), African Hobby (1), African Water Rail (1), Spotted Thicknee (1), Heuglin’s Courser (2), White-bellied Go-away Bird (1), Black Coucal (2), White-rumped Swift (2), Von der Decken’s Hornbill (2), Red-billed Hornbill (1), Nubian Woodpecker (7), Red-winged Bush Lark (5), Pink- breasted Lark (1), Capped Wheatear (1), Zitting Cisticola (numerous), Croaking Cisticola (9), Black-headed Batis (numerous), Pangani Longclaw (numerous), Red-headed Quelea (5), Yellow-spotted Petronia (1). Extension of range (probable breeding): the following species were common resi- dents, singing frequently at the site. Little Rush Warbler, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Siffiing Cisticola, Red-faced Crombec, Pangani Longclaw. Bare-eyed Thrushes feeding young fledglings, Black-headed Batis feeding juveniles, Zitting Cisticola (1) and Crimson- Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 15 trumped Waxbill (1) with nesting material. Extension of range (confirmed breeding): Allen’s Gallinule with flightless juveniles, Striped Kingfisher entering nest hole in baobab, Black-throated Honeyguide seen entering nest hole of Striped Kingfisher, Masked Weaver feeding young at nest, Red-billed Buffalo Weavers (45-50) nested colonially in large Acacia . Judging from the few sightings, in most cases range extensions were mainly due to the occurrence of wanderers, especially from the arid country inland. However, the distribu- tion of Sylvietta spp., as indicated in this survey conflicts with that presented by Lewis & Pomeroy (1989) and deserves special mention. The Red-faced Crombec was seen regularly at Nguuni and elsewhere in this stretch of the coast, as shown by Macworth- Praed & Grant (1960) for S. whytii minima, while the Northern Crombec S. brachyura was never recorded there. This finding was confirmed by R. McVicker and P. B. Taylor (in /itt.). In my experience the latter species was present at the coast further north, near Watamu, and though seen west of Mazaras does not seem to descend on to the coastal plain near Mombasa. Habitat and Climatic Effects The study area is a mosaic of habitat types but, as reflected in the composition of the resident avifauna, it is dominated by bushed grassland, pond and reedbed. The limited amount of dense bush, woodland and lily-ponds was mirrored by the restricted occurrence of species favouring these. Species typical of forest edge and woodland habitat were scarce, e.g. Great and Little Sparrowhawks, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Paradise Flycatcher, Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike. As mentioned above, the lack of fruit-producing trees accounts for the rarity of frugivorous species such as barbets, starlings and orioles. The human population has risen dramatically around the study site and there has been marked habitat degradation in the past 25 years, e.g. the clearance of larger trees and most of the wooded bush, heavier grazing with a resultant decrease in grass cover. Species like Retz’s Red-billed Shrike and various species of duck have disappeared (R. Mc Vicker, pers. comm.). Black-winged Bishops previously bred in the tall grass but are now occasional visitors and Helmeted Guineafowls and Black Coucals were once far more common. In 1980/1 the Yellow-bellied Greenbul was present (P .B. Taylor, pers. comm.) but is no longer. Nevertheless, Nguuni has one of the richest avifaunas in the area. Climatic changes resulted not only in changes in bird activity but also species distribution such as influxes of common savannah and dry country species, typical of the Tsavo region, during the dry season, e.g. Tawny Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Pygmy Falcon, Spotted Thicknee, Heuglin’s Courser, White-bellied Go-away Bird, Tockus hornbills, Scimitarbill, Blue-naped Mousebird, Red-winged Bush Lark, Pink-breasted Lark, Capped Wheatear, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Yellow-spotted Petronia and Cut- throat. Some species commion in drier habitat locally also moved into the study area, e.g. Nubian Woodpecker, White-browed Scrub Robin, Striped and Mosque Swallows, Rattling Cisticola and Richard’s Pipit. The failure of the short rains in late 1986 resulted ina drought from Jul 1986—Apr 1987 when even ponds normally regarded as permanent dried up. This caused breeding failure of all ploceids and the apparent disappearance or reduction of certain species normally resident in wet habitats, e.g. Long-tailed Cormorant, Madagascar Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, White-faced Duck, Allen’s Gallinule, Jacana, Pied King- fisher, Lesser Swamp and Little Rush Warblers, and Grosbeak Weaver. When the long rains of 1987 bagan, all ponds filled quickly. This was followed by heavy rains in Aug and inundation of grassland, more expansive and longer lasting than in 16 Colin Ryall previous survey years. This resulted in the appearance of wetland species not recorded previously, e.g. Red-billed Teal, Painted Snipe, Great Snipe (to be published) and Spur- winged Plover. The population of White-faced Whistling Ducks increased to a highest recorded level and Zitting Cisticola became markedly more frequent, no doubt in response to the proliferation of long grass in the valley bottoms. The frequency of Little Bittern sightings also increased during this period. Breeding and other behaviour Of the 86 resident species, 35 were confirmed breeding resident, 22 probable breeders, 18 possible breeders and a further 11 species were non-breeding residents (breeding near to but not in the study area). Breeding seasons tallied well with those given by Brown & Britton (1980) in most species where records for the coastal region exist. However, flightless juveniles of Allen’s Gallinule in Jan and Oct/Nov indicate later breeding than the existing Jul record and small chicks of Three-banded Plover in Oct indicate later breeding than Brown & Bnitton’s Jul record. Species not previously reported as breeding in the area are listed above. Though the Striped Kingfisher is recognized as a host for the Black-throated Honeyguide (Friedmann 1970) this Mar breeding record may be the first for the species at the coast. The Red-billed Buffalo Weaver was not previously recorded as breeding at the coast but my record of Aug/Sep 1987 is consistent with its tendency to breed during the rains, as in 1987 these months were indeed wet. According to Fry, Keith & Urban (1988) Slender-tailed Nightjars call mainly from the ground, but at Nguuni they called almost always from doum palms, occasionally from fence posts and very rarely from the ground. The display flight involving four birds may also be a novel record. With respect to other forms of activity, the carriage of a palm nut by a Great Sparrowhawk was probably aberrant behaviour but attempted predation of ploceid weavers by a Bat Hawk would seem unusual, although small birds are sometimes taken (Brown, Urban & Newman 1982). Acknowledgements Iam very grateful to Carol Reid and Marlene Reid who assisted on many survey trips, to R. Mc Vicker and P. B. Taylor for relating their knowledge of the avifauna of the area, and to R. Haller who, on behalf of Bamburi Portland Cement Co. Ltd, gave clearance to carry out the work on the Nguuni Property and provided rainfall data. References BRITTON, P.L. (ED). 1980. Birds of East Africa: their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EAHNS. Brown, L.H., & Briton, P.L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds. Nairobi: EANHS. Brown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEWMAN, K. 1982. The birds of Africa. Vol 1. London & New York: Academic Press. FRIEDMANN, H. 1970. Further information on the breeding biology of the honey-guides. Los Angeles County Museum Contribution Science 205. Fry, C.H., Kerru, S. & UrBAN, E.K. 1988. The birds of Africa. Vol 3. London & New York: Academic Press. Lack, P. 1985. The ecology of the land-birds of Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. Scopus 9: 2— 23, 57-96. Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 17 Lewis, A. & PoMeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. MACKWoRrTII-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1960. Birds of Eastern and North Eastern Africa. Vol II. London: Longmans Green & Co. RYALL, C. in press. The pest status of the Indian House Crow Corvus splendens in Mombasa and a survey of its expansion of range in coastal Kenya. Proceedings of VIIth Pan-African Orni- thological Congress, Nairobi: Aug—Sep 1988. TAYLOR, P.B. 1985. Field studies of the African Crake Crex egregiain Zambia and Kenya. Ostrich 56: 117-185. Dr Colin Ryall, 10 Bye Green, Weston Turville, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 SRU, England Scopus 15: 1-23, August 1991 Received 20 Apr 1991 Appendix A Months occurrence of species at the study site, expressed as the percentage of the six sample sectors in which each species was present (o = none; + = 1-33 per cent; ++ = 34— 66 per cent; +++ = 67-100 per cent). Those recorded in less than 32 and or 5 or less survey months are omitted (data for these are given in the text). Species J F MA OM I J Ady ISuiWOsoeiINnuhD Little Grebe 1984 fe) fe) (e) fe) 1985 0 fe) fe) fe) > fe) fe) ) fe) + 0 + 1986 o (e) (e) fe) > fe) fe) + fe) + + re) 1987 0o fe) a) (e) (a) + + + + + Long-tailed Cormorant 1984 ~ ++ 0 - 1985 ++ ++ + (9) - ~ ~ + ++ 4+ + ~ 1986 ++ ++ ++ ++ + fe) (9) ) fe) ++ + 0 1987 o ) e) oO + + ++ ++ + oo Little Bittem 1984 fe) ) (e) (@) 1985 0o fe) fe) (9) re) (0) fe) 9) (e) fe) + fe) 1986 o fe) fe) + fe) + fe) fe) (@) fe) (e) fe) 1987 o (e) fe) fa) + + fe) + + fe) Grey Heron 1984 0) 0) fe) 0 1985 0 (e) (0) fe) + oO (a) (o) (e) fe) (@) fe) 1986 o e) (0) - + + fe) fe) (e) fe) + + 1987 + (e) (e) fe) + re) fe) e) (e) (e) Black-headed Heron 1984 + + ) fo) TO8S ++ ++ ++ O ++ + + ©) - 0 ~ - 1986 + ~ ++ + + + ~ - + ++ + ~ 1987 ++ + ~ ++ + ~ + ~ ++ 0 Madagascar Squacco Heron 1984 fo) ) ) a) 1985 0o (e) fe) fe) + + fe) + + + + ) 1986 o fe) (0) O + + + + + O re) (@) 1987 o fe) (e) (@) + + + ++ + + Green-backed Heron 1984 (e) + fe) re) 1985 + ++ + fe) fe) (e) fe) re) fe) fe) + + 1986 + + + + (e) + fe) + + + + + 1987 + + (e) + fe) + oO + + + 18 Species Great White Egret Yellow-billed Egret Woolly-necked Stork Yellow-billed Stork Hadada Sacred Ibis White-faced Whistl. Duck Short-toed Snake Eagle Lizard Buzzard Long-crested Eagle Black-shouldered Kite Harlequin Quail Crested Francolin 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 co) ++ Colin Ryall Je M A O Sr O Ogeechee de O O O Ol Ole 10 OF Mor HG ole tora nke ot oO O + + + OG) ULOu gO oO + O O O oO onion <0 ++ 0 0 1. eee + + ++ PU COMO) ete + o + O O O O ot O - oO ol Ae Of .WOuo @ 5 @ 0 Oh gO: ge OP Oe Selah: Silla + Se + + 0 O O O (0) + + O40) yO + + 0 ae no + O O O20 Oo OO. Or WO O O O bg) otal @) 10) 10) te fo A M +9900 +9000 +0+00+4+000+4+0+4+ 4040 +++0 O+0+ 4040 074+0090 0909000 0909090900 +40900900 D + +O0O++ 000+ +4040 0+00 4+44+4++4+0 00+4+0 +000 NV +O0+ COFO +++ 04040 ++4+4+ 0O40 ++ 000400 O+F4+0 04404000 06 + + (©) ©) OM-F-1O + + t++O O++4+0 +0+4+00004+ ++4++0 +000 6O0 Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 19 Specics J F Nie Ay Mi ore) J A S O N D African Crake 1984 fe) fe) fe) fe) 1985 0o 0: 5O fe) + fe) + fe) e) fe) + + 1986 oO O,— 40 fo) + + + + (0) + (o) fo) 1987 o fe) 0) (e) + + + (e) fo) + Black Crake 1984 + 0) ) 0) 1985 ++ + oO 0 O + Paco + + ++ ++ + 1986 ++ + ++ + + + DO + - ee meee a 1987 o ) + + + + + + + + Allen’s Gallinule 1984 fe) + (e) oO 1985 + ) (e) fe) + e) + + + + + + 1986 + (e) + + + O (0) (e) (e) (e) (0) ) 1987 o oO (e) O (0) fe) fe) fe) fe) fe) Jacana 1984 Oh te) ZOghiego 1985 0o + + oO + (0) + + + + + ct 1986 + (0) + + fe) fe) O fe) (0) O oO fe) 1987 0o fe) O (0) e) (0) fe) O (0) fe) Senegal Plover 1984 fo) (e) 0) fe) 1985 + ++ + + + + re) re) fe) e) fe) (9) 1986 + + + + + + + fe) fe) (e) oO fe) 1987 + + + + + + o) e) fe) (0) Namaqua Dove 1984 + 0 (0) fo) 1985 0o fe) fe) fe) e) 0 fe) fe) fe) (e) a) fe) 1986 o fe) (e) (0) fe) fe) + + + + + fe) 1987 0o fe) (e) O fe) + + + + + Red-cyed Dove 1984 Oo + ~ Ox: 1985 .++ ++ »++ <0 + + + ++ ++ ++ + + 1986 + + + (0) (0) + + (0) ++ + + + 1987 + (0) + + + + + + + + - Laughing Dove 1984 +h ot + rok 1985 0o o) (0) (e) (0) = fe) (0) (e) + + 1986 o (e) fe) fe) (0) fe) (0) (0) (e) fe) (o) 1987 o (e) fe) (0) (e) + + (e) fe) Brown-headed Parrot 1984 (e) (0) O 1985 + () (0) (0) (0) (0) (o) fe) + fo) + 1986 + + + + O (0) fe) (@) (e) + (e) 1987 o O ) (0) (0) (@) O O (0) Didric Cuckoo 1984 Reo + 1985 + ~ ~ 0) ~ + + ++ re a 1986 o fe) ~ ~ + + + + fi re) 1987 o 0 + Oo + O Oo + Klaas’ Cuckoo 1984 1985 0o + e) 1986 o + + 1987 o ) (0) (e) (e) (0) (9) (e) Black and White Cuckoo 1984 1985 0o (e) fe) 1986 + (e) e) 1987 + + oO (0) (9) (o) fe) ) Yellowbill 1984 1985 o ) (0) fe) (0) oO O + 1986 o + (0) 1987 o (e) 0) (e) e) + + + +0 oo) oo oo oo) 1S) jo) jo) + ° ° ° ° + + +++00000 0004+ ++++ 0000000 ap ap op ©) te) fe) Clie) “ge fe) OO) Se ae ae + io) 20 Species Pied Kingfisher Striped Kingfisher Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher White-throated Bee-eater Carmine Bee-eater Green Wood Hoopoe Redetronted Tinkerbird Nubian Woodpecker Striped Swallow Mosque Swallow African Golden Oriole Pied Crow Rufous Chatterer 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 Colin Ryall fo) +O+ ++O0 000 9O0o+tO0 +0+4++ +4++4+0 0044+ 0204++4+ 0202000 0400 00400000 02000 0000 +000 4++++ YW t7+#+O00 909O+0 D900 090900 +++0 0044+ 0+4+00 4+44++0 C+4+04+004+ 0000 0+4+4++4+ OCOF++ OC Species Black Cuckoo Shrike Scaly Babbler Northern Brownbul White-browed Scrub Robin Spotted Moming Thrush Lesser Swamp Warbler Little Rush Warbler Siffling Cisticola Rattling Cisticola Winding Cisticola Zitting Cisticola Croaking Cisticola Red-faced Crombec Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 ° ° ° + + FE + M oo A M + © O-6l OOO OO OO Ooo ++ 0 +- OOO OO Oo nN + + +O+ O+Ff++ OCOFO + + ++00 0000 O Ola Oh -F ar b+) -fhOle - - -f e OOOO), + + OO) £6 OO OO +60 OOCOeG O+ 601 - fee +4 0'O + oo © ++0 9 + 21 ooo © 22 Species Black-headed Batis Richard’s Pipit Pangani Longclaw African Pied Wagtail Black-backed Puffback Tropical Boubou Violet-backed Starling Black-br Glossy Starling Little Purple-banded Sunbird Scarlet-chested Sunbird Fan-tailed Widowbird Black-winged Bishop Masked Weaver 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 Colin Ryall F M + + + + + + + O + + + #0 ) + 0) + fo) + ee XO) + + 0) + re) + + + gt + + + + + p+ + ++ + ++ ++ +++ ae) + 4 0) f°) - 0 + O 0) fo) + + + + + + 0) 0) O.. ++ 0) + +. 40 + Oo Ome © + O +. + o + A + co) +°9O M ° ° Oo+ a SOS a5 OO 4 OOO Soa wae Oe OOOO Osa sa Or rpoae OOO s Of saO OO OeF BEC eL) BF ++O+ ++00 OF OG CO++ OC+00 CHH+EO COOSG +++6 ++++ ++4+0 +400 +000 +400 © + Ofer 2 +o+ OD Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 23 Species y F Mee AC OME we J A S O N D Spectacled Weaver 1984 (0) + 0) + 1985, +t (e) (0) 5 silane andi 6) + f°) & aiieiegie°) + 1986 + + + + + + + + + ~ + + -1987 + + ++ 0 + + + + (9) ~ Golden Weaver 1984 + (0) (9) + 1985 + + + (0) + + + O + (e) (e) + 1986 + + + + + + fo) re) + + fe) + 1987 + + fo) O + O + + + + Red-billed Quelea 1984 + 0) (0) (0) 1985 ++ + + (0) + + fo) (0) fe) (0) + ) 1986 o + + fo) O + O e) fe) ++ ++ + 1987 0o O oO O O + + + + + Grcey-hcaded Sparrow 1984 ) + + fo) 1985 + ~ + + + O O O + + + + 1986 + + + + (9) + + fe) (e) + + + 1987 o + + fe) fe) + + + f- Pin-tailed Whydah 1984 + + ++ 0 1985 o (e) e) fe) + + oO e) + + + fe) 1986 o O + + + + + + oO + fe) ) 1987 0o O fo) (e) (0) + (@) fe) e) + Waxbill 1984 + () (e) fe) 1985 ++ + fe) + + + O O + + + ) 1986 + + + + + + + O ) re) + + 1987 + fe) + + + fo) (o) O O + Cnmson-rumped Waxbill 1984 fo) ) ) ) 1985 0 (e) fo) (6) + O fe) O fe) (@) (o) fe) 1986 o fe) + fe) + fe) oo + re) + + fe) 1987 o (0) e) (0) (e) + fo) + + (@) Jameson’s Firefinch 1984 oO O ) (e) 1985 o e) + O (0) fo) O (0) fe) fe) + + 1986 + fe) fe) (0) (e) ) + fe) O (e) (o) (e) 1987 + + fo) (9) fe) fe) e) O (9) (0) Red-billed Firefinch 1984 + fe) fe) (e) 1985 + + + fe) + + e) (e) O + (0) (e) 1986 + - 0 + + ) + + + + + ++ 1987 o + + (9) (0) (9) + (0) + + Black and White Mannikin 1984 fe) O fe) fe) 1985 0o + fe) + fe) e) fe) fe) e) 0) fe) e) 1986 o fe) + + fe) (e) + + 0) (0) + af 1987 0o fe) (0) (9) (e) O (e) fe) @) (e) Bronze Mannikin 1984 (e) + (0) + 1985 + + + ++ + + + () + + + + 1986 + + ++ + + + + + (0) (0) + + 1987 o ~ ++ + + - + + + + Ycllow-rumped Seed-eater 1984 0 ) 0) ) 1985 + + + fe) fe) fe) + fe) + fe) (0) (0) 1986 + + + oO (e) fe) + oO (9) (e) O + 1987 ++ ++ + + + + O O (@) (e) + Ycllow-fronted Canary 1984 0) ) (0) ) 1985 + + + + fe) (0) (0) (e) oO (e) + + 1986 + + + O (0) + (0) O (9) fe) (@) + 1987 0o O + O fe) oO O O @) fe) 24 J. S. Ash, M. A. C. Coverdale & T. M. Gullick Comments on status and distribution of birds in western Uganda J. S. Ash, M. A. C. Coverdale and T. M. Gullick While surveying a sample of forests in western and southwestern Uganda in February and March 1990, many of the observations confirmed the statements on status and distribution given in Britton (1980). It seems desirable, however, to place on record some of this information from forests where any change to the forest may have a radical effect on some birds. For example, a break in the continuum from lowland to montane forest at Bwindi, mentioned by Bennun (1986) could have a significant effect on bird distribution. Similarly, recent fragmentation of the forest at Bwamba appears to be responsible for the appearance of forest-edge species there (Buckley et al. 1989). In general, over the previous 20 or so years this area of Uganda has been neglected ornithologically, so that it is useful to have an interim account of the situation, which may change again, to follow the well documented accounts in Brittion (1980) based on former surveys. Some extensions of known distribution were also found for several species in our survey, and many of the species discussed are only poorly known in East Africa. The four sites visited were the Bwindi (Impenetrable ) Forest (1°00S, 29°40E), 12-20 February; Kibale Forest Reserve (0°30N, 30°25E), 21-26 February; Bwamba (0°52N, 30°O5E), 26 February to 5 March; and Budongo (1°45N, 31°35E), 6-9 March. The following observers, with their initials as used in the following species list, participated in various stages of the survey: Dr J.S. Ash (JSA) 12 February to 11 March; Dr T. Butynski (TB) 12-16 February; M.A.C. Coverdale (MACC) 12 February to 11 March; R.J. Dowsett (RJD) and Dr F. Dowsett-Lemaire (FD-L) 26 February to 5 March; Dr R. Drewes (RD) 12-15 February; T.M. Gullick (TMG) 12 February to 11 March; Dr A.D. Johns (ADJ) 21 February to 5 March; Dr J. Kalina (JK) 12-16 February; and J.E. Miskell (JEM) 12-15 February. AS an indication of species diversity, 125 species were recorded in the Impenetrable Forest in seven days, 113 at Kibale in four days, 176 at Bwamba in seven days, and 181 at Budongo in three days. The lower figures in the Impenetrable Forest and at Kibale are probably due to observation being largely confined to forested areas, whereas at Bwamba and Budongo, the habitat was more fragmented with a consequent higher proportion of non-forest species. Seventy-five birds of 48 species were netted in the Impenetrable Forest in 4.5 d, and 123 of 32 species were netted at Bwamba in 4.5 d: a total of 278 of 55 species in 9 d. Netting effort could not be measured owing to the variable number of nets in use, and the periodic cessation of their use during frequent rain showers. Species list Cassin’s Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus africanus. An adult perched in Budongo on 7 March, subsequently circled noisily overhead calling coo-coo-coo-coo-wheet. It is recorded from Kalinzu and Impenetrable Forests in Britton (1980) and from Kibale (Skorupa 1983). (JSA, MACC, TMG.) Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus. Pairs withcharacteristic long-repeated duetting nkulengu calls at 20:00—21:00 at three sites in forest swamps in Bwamba around the camp on 2 and 3 March. There were apparently three pairs unless they were able to move for considerable distances very rapidly. Our porters were very familiar with the calls and claimed that the birds were distributed in swamps throughout the forest. There is one Western Ugandan birds 25 previous record from Uganda, at Bwamba (Britton 1980) (all observers). Red-chested Pygmy Crake Sarothrura rufa. An adult netted in Mubwindi swamp in the Impenetrable Forest on 14 February (JSA, MACC, JK, et al.). Next day the same bird or another was taped calling frequently in the same area (all observers). On 10 March one called repeatedly at the Kajjansi fish ponds near Kampala (JSA, MACC, TMG). There are three previous records from Uganda. Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx olivinus. Recorded by us only from Kibale where there were several in one area on 23 February (JSA, MACC, TMG), and on several days in February and March (RJD, FD-L). They reacted to taped play-back calls. Barred Long-tailed Cuckoos C. montanus were fairly common at higher altitudes in the Impen- etrable Forest, and Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoos C. mechowi common to very common in the Impenetrable Forest, Kibale, Bwamba and Budongo. Two C. mechowi were netted. Yellow-throated Green Cuckoo Chrysococcyx flavigularis. Several seen and heard daily at Bwamba, 27 February to 5 March (all observers). Known only from Bwamba and Maramagambo (Britton 1980). Pel’s Fishing Owl Scotopelia peli. Nightly along the Semliki River, Bwamba, including juvenile(s), 27 February to 1 March (all observers). The only previous locality in Uganda is Kabalega Falls NP (Britton 1980). Horus Swift Apus horus. Six on 16 February at 2360 m ‘patrolling’ past holes in a trackside bank in the Impenetrable Forest (JSA, MACC). Confirmation of breeding would be of interest, as the site is very similar to arecently discovered population in Nigeria (Ash 1990). White-bellied KingfisherAlcedo leucogaster. Three netted in Cynometra forest, Bwamba, 2-4 March (JSA, RJD, ADL, MACC), It is described as a rare and local resident in south and southwest Uganda (Britton 1980). Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia. Common at Budongo, 7—9 March (JSA, MACC, TMG). An uncommon local resident in west Ugandan forests (Britton 1980). Dwarf Kingfisher Ispidina lecontei. Unrecorded at Bwamba 27 February to 5 March, but common (6-8 daily) away from forest streams, Budongo, 7—9 March (cf. Britton 1980) (JSA, MACC, TMG). Black Dwarf Hornbill Tockus hartlaubi. Only seen twice at Bwamba, its only known East African locality where it is apparently a scarce resident (Britton 1980), 27 February and 5 March (FD-L, TMG), whereas the Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill T. camurus was common (all observers). White-crested Hornbill Tropicranus albocristatus. One on 1 March (FD-L, TMG) in Bwamba, a species known only from Bwamba in East Africa but for which there are no recent records (Britton 1980). African Green Broadbill Pseudocalyptomena graueri. Two together near Mubwindi swamp, Impenetrable Forest, 15 February (MACC, TMG), in one of the areas where it had been seen not infrequently by TB. Described as an apparently rare resident by Britton (1980). Capuchin Babbler Phyllanthus atripennis. Fairly common, Bwamba, 27 February to 5 March (most observers). Britton (1980) describes it as resonably common here, the only Ugandan locality except for one record in the Impenetrable Forest. 26 J.S. Ash, M. A. C. Coverdale & T. M. Gullick Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus. Xavier’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus xavieri. P. xavieri was the commonest greenbul at Bwamba, 27 February to 5 March (all observers). A single P. icterinus was netted there too. Both species are recorded from Bwamba, as well as in other west Ugandan forests (Britton 1980), and our records confirm that P. xavieri is common in Bwamba. White-bellied Robin Chat Cossypha roberti. Only found in the Impenetrable Forest, at 1630 m (JSA, MACC), from where it is recorded as locally common at 1600 m (Britton 1980). Archer’s Ground Robin Dryocichloides archeri. Apparently not uncommon in the Impenetrable Forest above 2000 m (all observers). The species is recorded as common in the Rwenzoris, but only noted as ‘occurring’ in the Impenetrable Forest (Britton 1980). [Prigogine’s Ground Thrush Zoothera (Turdus) kibalensis. Fruitless searches were made in many areas of Kibale, 21—26 February, aimed at locating this bird. Tapes of Z. (T.) tanganjicae song were also used as a possible aid. This species is il known from two specimens collected in 1966 (Britton 1980).] Kivu Ground Thrush Zoothera (Turdus) tanganjicae. At least three singing birds lo- cated in the Buhoma area of the Impenetrable Forest at 1630 m on 18-19 February (JSA, MACC, TMG), where it had been found earlier by JK. This is a rare and little known bird of the ground stratum at 2900 mon Mt Muhavura and at 1500 min the Impenetrable Forest (Britton 1980). Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus. One in rank grass at Budongo on 9 March (JS, MACC). From information in Britton (1980), this bird was apparently still in winter quarters. Black-capped ApalisApalis nigriceps. Only recorded from Budongo, where it was fairly common, 7-9 March (JSA, MACC, TMG). Also recorded as fairly common here by Britton (1980), but there are few other records from other forests in south and west Uganda. White-winged Warbler Bradypterus carpalis. Apparently common in papyrus on the edge of Kibale Forest Reserve, 25 February (JSA, MACC, RJD, FD-L, ADJ), and in March in a Swamp within the northern sector of the Reserve (RJD, FD-L), where not previously recorded. This is an additional locality to those listed in Britton (1980). Grauer’s Rush Warbler Bradypterus graueri. Common and netted at 2100 m in the Mubwindi swamp, Impenetrable Forest, 13—15 February. This is one of the two localities in Uganda listed by Britton (1980), in each of which this Red Data Book species is common. Brown-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps. Only found in Budongo, where it was common, 7-9 March. It is regarded as being uncommon in Budongo, Bugoma, and Bwamba in west Uganda by Britton (1980). Green-backed Eremomela Eremomela pusilla. Extends south to at least O°S5ON, 30°15E (southwest of Ntoroko) (JSA, RJD, FD-L), an area south of that indicated by Britton (1980). Grey Longbill Macrosphenus concolor. Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans. The former was seen twice in Budongo, 7-9 March (JSA, MACC, TMG); the latter was common in Bwamba, but uncommon in Budongo (all observers). These records conform with those given by Britton (1980). Western Ugandan birds Pag Uganda Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus budongoensis. At two sites in Budongo, 7— 9 March (JSA, MACC, TMG). Sparsely distributed in Budongo, Mpanga, Kifu, and Mt Elgon in Uganda (Britton 1980). Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix. One at Budongo on 7 March (JSA). A scarce Palaearctic migrant overwintering in south and west Uganda (Britton 1980). Half-collared Flycatcher Ficedula (albicollis) semitorquata. A male at Budongo, 9 March (JSA, MACC). Britton (1980) refers to two birds from Budongo and Butiaba in west Uganda on 22 February and 15 March, but whether overwintering or on passage is uncertain. Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata. Only in Budongo, where several 7—9 March (JSA, MACC, TMG). Britton (1980) includes Budongo with three other localities in west Uganda. (Dusky) Flycatcher Muscicapa (adusta). M. adusta is common in the Impenetrable Forest, and those examined had uniform darkish lower mandibles, except for one pair on 16 February. One of these, sitting on a nest built into some suspended lichen at c. 4.5 m above a track, had a dark, possibly black, upper mandible, and a yellowish lower mandible with only the apical quarter black (JSA, TMG). Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini. Pairs at Kibale on 23 and 25 February, and along the Semliki River at Bwamba, 27 February to 2 March (most observers). Only recently found at Bwamba in 1987 (Buckley et al. 1989). Grey-throated Flycatcher Muscicapa griseigularis. Only noted in Kibale, where it was not uncommon, and Bwamba uncommonly (JSA, RJD, FD-L, TMG). Distribution and status appears to conform wiih Britton (1980). Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammulata. Fairly common at Bwamba and Budongo, and common at Kibale, where 10—12 together on 23 February (JSA, MACC, TMG), and in March (RJD, FD-L). Apparently more numerous than indicated by Britton (1980). Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis. One at Budongo on 7 March, suggests that this is an overwintering area (JSA, MACC). Pink-footed Puffback Dryoscopus angolensis. A pair in the Impenetrable Forest on 19 February was the only record (MACC, TMG). An uncommon bird locally distributed in southwest Uganda (Britton 1980). Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis. One at Budongo on7 March was the first for this area (JSA). Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri. Common in papyrus swamp in the northern sector of Kibale Forest Reserve in February (JSA), and March (RJD, FD-L), and in another Swamp just outside the Reserve in February (JSA, MACC, RJD, FD-L, TMG, ADJ). This is an addition to the Kibale list of Skorupa (1983). Lagden’s Bush Shrike Malaconotus lagdeni. Judging by calls, somewhat resembling Grey-headed Bush Shrike M. blanchoti, heard fairly often down to 2100 m, this species may be commoner than is supposed in the Impenetrable Forest (JSA, JEM). Britton (1980) refers to it as a scarce bird in the Impenetrable Forest and Rwenzoris. Bennun (1985) saw four there in September 1984, one of which was of unusual colouration. Sharpe’s Starling Cinnyricinclus sharpii. Several in the Impenetrable Forest on 13-14 28 J. S. Ash, M. A. C. Coverdale & T. M. Gullick February and one netted (all observers). This bird is confined to this forest and the Rwenzoris in southwest Uganda (Britton 1980). Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus. A party at Kibale on 23 February (JSA, MACC, TMG, ADJ). This rather uncommon resident of south and west Uganda is also known from several other forests (Britton 1980). Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris. Two at Budongo on 6 March (JSA, MACC) is a new locality (vide Britton 1980). Tiny Sunbird Nectarinia minulla. An adult male at Kibale on 23 February (JSA, MACC). This species is scarce as far east as Kibale (Britton 1980). Black Bishop Euplectes gierowii. Two to three on three days in Bwamba and along the road above on 26—27 February and 3 March (JSA, MACC, RJD, FD-L). A scarce resident not previously recorded from Bwamba (Britton 1980). Orange Weaver Ploceus aurantius. Fairly common in secondary riverine woodland along the Semliki River, Bwamba, 27 February to 2 March (JSA, MACC, TMG, ADJ) are presumably referable to nominate aurantius of West Africa—not previously reported from Uganda (vide Britton 1980). Weyns’ Weaver Ploceus weynsi. Common at one site at Budongo on 9 March. a nest collected from several seen may be of this species (JSA, MACC, TMG). The nesting site of this species has not been found, but the birds have been recorded previously from Budongo (Britton 1980). Shelley’s Crimsonwing Cryptospiza shelleyi. One netted on 15 February at 2100 m in the Impenetrable Forest (all observers). An uncommon resident known elsewhere in Uganda from the Rwenzoris (Britton 1980). Grey-headed Olive-back Nesocharis capistrata. Three at Budongo on 7 March (JSA), was the only record. Only known in northwest Uganda where also recorded from several other localities (Britton 1980). Grant’s Bluebill Spermophaga poliogenys. Fairly common in Cynometra forest, Bwamba, 2—4 March (all observers). This is the only locality in Uganda for this uncommon resident (Britton 1980). Red-fronted Antpecker Parmoptila woodhousei. Single birds at 1630 m in the Impen- etrable Forest on 19 February, and at Kibale on 25 February (TMG). This uncommon resident in Uganda is also known from Budongo, Bwamba, and Kalinzu Forests (Britton 1980). References Asu, J.S. 1990. Additions to the avifauna of Nigeria with notes on distributional changes and breeding. Malimbus 11: 104-116. BENNUN, L.A. 1985. Notes on behaviour and plumage dimorphism in Lagden’s Bush Shrike Malaconotus lagdeni. Scopus 9: 111-114. BENNUN, L.A. 1986. Montane birds of the Bwindi (Impenetrable) Forest. Scopus 10: 87-91 Britton, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa: their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. Western Ugandan birds 29 BUCKLEY, P., MCNEILAGE, A. & WALKER, C. 1989. Additional ornithological records from five western Ugandan forests. Scopus 13: 109-113. SkoruPA, J.P. 1983. Kibale Forest bird check list. New York Zoological Society (duplicated). Dr J. S. Ash, Godshill Wood, Fordingbridge, Hants SP6 2 LR, England, M.A. C. Coverdale, Box 2978, Nakuru, Kenya and T. M. Gullick, Queredo 20, Infantes, Ciudad Real, Spain Scopus 15: 24-29, August 1991 Received 3 October 1990, revised 12 July 1991 Erratum In the paper by Dr Colin Ryall “Notes on nest construction by the Indian House Crow Corvus splendens and other aspects of its breeding biology in Mombasa, Kenya” (Scopus 14: 14-16) there was an omission on p. 14, penultimate paragraph, the first sentence of which should read “The first nest collection of 18 November 1985 at Makadara Park, a small paved park in the Mombasa town centre, and the second on 1 November 1985 at Mzimle, a large area...” Erratum In Dr L. A. Bennun’s paper “An avifaunal survey of the Trans-Mara Forest, Kenya” (Scopus 14: 61—72) there was a mistake on p. 66. No. 757 Black-collared Apalis Apalis melanocephala, should read “758 Black-collared Apalis Apalis pulchra.” Notice African Crane and Wetland Workshop 12-18 October 1992, Maun, Botswana Anyone interested in attending this, the first workshop of its kind in Africa, should contact George Archibold, Director, International Crane Foundation, E-11376 Shady Lane Road, Baraboo, Wisonsin 53913, USA (fax 608 356 9465). 30 Per Ole Syvertsen and Vilma Dellelegn The status of some bird species endemic to south Ethiopia Per Ole Syvertsen and Yilma Dellelegn The status of many of Ethiopia’s endemic birds are poorly known. Ash & Gullick (1989) gave an assessment of all 28 species, based on a visit to various parts of the country in February and March 1989, and compared the findings with the situation 1969-1977. They concluded that no species, with the probable exception of Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco Tauraco ruspolii, was under immediate threat of extinction, and that more than half of the species apparently had not changed status. Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco was the only species for which they judged “numbers certainly reduced”. Two other south Ethiopian endemic bird species, White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis and Ethiopian Bushcrow Zavattariornis stresemanni, were found not to have changed status (the swallow) or possibly to occur in reduced numbers (the bushcrow). Several more observers have worked in Borana since then, particularly in the Yabello! area. Tesfaye Hundessa stayed in Borana from 27 December 1989 to 5 January 1990, and conducted road counts of bushcrows in several areas (Tesfaye 1991). Yilma Dellelegn stayed in the area from mid March to early June 1990, compiling data for a bird check-list for the Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary (Yilma 1990). The senior author first visited Yabello from 3 to 5 March 1990, and spent a total of more than 11 weeks in Borana during August to December 1990. The purpose of this paper is to report on observations made by these workers on the status and distribution of Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco, White-tailed Swallow and Ethiopian Bushcrow. A map of the western part of the Borana region showing geographic names used in this paper is provided in Fig. 1. Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco Tauraco ruspolii This species is only known from a few forest areas north and west of Negele and at Arero (Collar & Stuart 1985). Benson (1942) rediscovered it at Arero in 1941-42, but there seem to be no more recently published record of the species from this locality. Ash & Gullick (1989) visited the Arero area briefly without finding any turacos, but they did not investigate areas north of the town. In 1990 we were able to confirm that a population of Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco still survives at Arero. The species was found at a number of localities within an area of c. 30 km? immediately to the north of the town (Table 1, Fig. 2). Most observations were of single birds or two together, both in May and in November, but groups of up to 11 individuals were encountered. Observations in November were made at altitudes between 1550 mand 1700 m. The vegetation varied from dense stands of tall Juniperus procera to forest clearings and forest-edge with only a few scattered trees. Turacos were invariably found in areas with dense undergrowth that in some places would stand 4—5 m tall. Birds were not particularly difficult to locate or watch. Further details of the observations made in May 1990 are given by Yilma (1991). ‘Ethiopian geographical names are often spelled in different ways in different sources. Hence Yabello, Yabelo, Yavello, and Javello are used in the literature and on published maps, and the regional capital is known as Negele or Neghelli. Borana (or Borena), now one of Ethiopia’s largest administrative regions, was previously part of Sidamo province. The status of some south Ethiopian endemics 31 Confirmation of Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco still occurring in most of its known range may relieve some of the concern expressed by Ash & Gullick (1989). There is no evidence to Surupa Sarite Plain Figure 2. Observations of Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco Tauraco ruspolii at Arero in November 1990. Hatched areas are forest patches (after Figure 1. Map of western Borana with major Ethiopian Mapping Agency, roads and tracks map series EMA 3, sheet NB 37-14 Yabelo, edition 1, 1979). Lines show major tracks. Table 1. Observations of Prince Ruspli’s Turaco Tauraco ruspolii (PRT) and unidentified turacos (sp) at Arero 1990 Number Distance Altitude Species Date of birds from Arero (km) (m asl) 25 May 11 ? 2 PRT 25 May 1 ? Y PRT 26 May z ? i PRT 26 May 1 ? ? PRT 26 May 1 i u PRT 29 Aug 1 8.5 c. 1700 sp c. 8 Sep 1 L ? sp 16 Nov 1 13.0 c. 1600 PRT 16 Nov 1 19.6 Eni550 PRT 16 Nov 2+ 22.0 c. 1700 PRT 16 Nov 1 30.9 c. 1700 PRT 17 Nov 4 30.9 c. 1700 PRT 17 Nov 1 30.0 Y PRT 17 Nov 2 20.4 c. 1700 PRT 32 Per Ole Syvertsen and Vilma Dellelegn suggest that the species has declined at the Arero locality. The forest north of Arero, although of small size and fairly isolated, seems to be in good condition. However, the area is likely to come under increased pressure from surrounding human populations for wood cutting and grazing. Understanding of the turacos’ ecological requirements is needed if their survival is to be ensured. White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis The main distribution of the White-tailed Swallow is between and around Yabello and Mega. Ithas been recorded up to 50 km north of Yabello, 15 km north-northeast of Yabello, and 50 km east and southeast of Mega (Collar & Stuart 1985). In 1990 we found the species fairly frequent around Yabello and up to c. 50 km east- southeast of the town along the road to Arero (at approximately 38°30E) in most months. Our northernmost observation was just south of Surupa, c. 35 km north of Yabello. Along the road between Yabello and Mega it was only recorded at Dembalawachu and Dubluk. Further south four White-tailed Swallows were found at three localities up to c. 47 km southeast of Mega on 27 August. We saw fewer birds than previous observers in these areas (Ash & Gullick 1989), particularly along the Yabello — Mega road, with a maximum of c. 7 along the road between Yabello and Arero. On 24 August a flock of five White-tailed Swallows was seen feeding in open, lightly bushed grassland at Sarite, c.40 km west of Yabello at an altitude of c. 990 m. A new flock of six birds were found in the same area in similar habitat on 16 September. Finally, two White-tailed Swallows were seen at Sarite on 21 November at an altitude of 1000-1100 m. These are the first published observations at any major distance to the west of the road between Yabello and Mega, and at the lowest altitude ever reported for the species. Group sizes were usually single birds or two together, larger flocks being four birds at Dembalawachu and the first two observations from Sarite. Yilma (1 990) observed it flying with House Martins Delichon urbica in March. The species was not found along the Mega — Wachile — Dawa Wenz road on 28 August, nor between Dawa Wenz, Wachile and Arero the next day or between Arero and Negele on 9 October. These areas, of which only a smaller portion is within the species’ known range, slope gently from 1400—1600 m at the plains around Arero and Mega to a low of 750 m at Dawa Wenz. On 1 December the road between Mega and Magado (c. 27 km southwest of Mega) was checked without seeing any White-tailed Swallows. Less than 20 km from Mega this road sharply drops from approximately 1500 m to 1000 m. It is generally assumed that this topographical feature helps explain the limited distribution of both this species and the Ethiopian Bushcrow (Benson 1942, Urban & Brown 1971, Collar & Stuart 1985, Turner & Rose 1989), a view that is challenged by the records from Sarite. Although we saw most of the swallows between 1500 m and 1650 m, the altitudinal range was as wide as 990— 1700 m. Previous given altitudes have ranged between 1220 m and 1725 m (Benson 1942, Urban & Brown 1971, Collar & Stuart 1985, Ash & Gullick 1989), with occasional observations up to 2400 m. Ethiopian Bushcrow Zavattariornis stresemanni The range of the Ethiopian Bushcrow is generally the same as that of the White-tailed Swallow. It comprises c. 6000 km/?, from 15 km to the north and northeast, 60 km to the east (towards Arero) and 10 km to the west of Yabello, south to 15 km east and 25 km southeast of Mega (Collar & Stuart 1985). Within this range it is considered most common The status of some south Ethiopian endemics 33 in the areas immediately around Yabello (Benson 1946, Collar & Stuart 1985, Ash & Gullick 1989). Our own observations, as well as those of Tesfaye (1991), comply fully with the statement that the Ethiopian Bushcrow is most common around and east of Yabello. We never saw them west of the Yabello — Mega road (except for a few km northwest of Dubluk). Further observations on the species’ distribution is detailed below. We recorded the species up to 30 km north of Yabello (near Surupa) in August 1990, no doubt in the same area as Ash & Gullick’s (1989) observation 34 km northeast of Yabello. Tesfaye (1991) recorded them in the vicinity of Web (a village 32 km southwest of Arero). On the Mega — Moyale road, we found bushcrows c. 44 km southeast of Mega on 27 August. Along the track between Mega and Wachile, they were encountered up to 55 km northeast of Mega on 28 August. We found them up to 16 km southwest of Mega on 1 December (on the road to Magado), only c. 3 km from the steep escarpment but still at an altitude of around 1500 m. These observations indicate that the species is wider distributed in the southern part of its range than previously recognised. Its eastern range limit seems to be at approximately 38°30E-—38°45E, possibly extending further east in the southern part of the range. Ash & Gullick (1990) were of the opinion that the Ethiopian Bushcrow had possibly been reduced in numbers since the mid 1970s, although they also considered that at present the species would not seem be under any particular threat. Tesfaye (1991) questions that numbers are reduced, since his own road counts, covering largely the same areas as those Ash and Gullick visited, come up with a five-fold figure compared to theirs. Numbers recorded in August to December 1990 are close to Tesfaye’s results. It would therefore seem that bushcrow numbers are still good. Although land use changes have taken place in recent years, including local bush clearing and tree felling, the species seems to be doing well. As for practically all of Ethiopia’s endemic birds, however, its ecology is poorly understood. Acknowledgements The fieldwork in March to June 1990 was made possible by an assignment by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organisation (EWCO) to survey the avifauna of Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary. The stay during the second half of that year was part of the EWCO - University of Oslo research project “Integrated Wildlife Management and Utilization in Borana, Ethiopia”, supported by the Research Division, Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We thank the EWCO staff in Yabello, Ato Leykun Abunie and Oddvin Lund for their valuable participation in the field. References Asi, J.S. & GuLtick, T.M. 1989. The present situation regarding the endemic breeding birds of Ethiopia. Scopus 13: 90-96. Benson, C.W. 1942. A new Species and Ten new races from Southern Abyssinia. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 63: 8-19. Benson, C.W. 1946. Notes on the birds of southern Ethiopia. /bis 88: 444-461. COoLar, N. & Stuart, S. 1985. Threatened birds of Africa and related islands. The ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book Part 1. 3rd edition. Cambridge: ICBP and IUCN. TESFAYE Hunpessa. 1991. Survival status review of the Ethiopian Bushcrow (Zavattariornis stresemanni Moltoni, 1938) in the Borana area, Ethiopia. Walia 13 (in press). 34 Per Ole Syvertsen and Vilma Dellelegn TURNER, A. & Ros, C. 1989. A Handbook of the Swallows and Martins of the World. London: Christopher Helm. URBAN, E.K. & Brown, L.H. 1971.A checklist of the birds of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa: Haile Selassie I University Press. YILMA DELLELEGN. 1990. Survey of the birds of Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary. Addis Ababa: EWCO. Unpubl. report, 25 pp. YILMA DELLELEGN. 1991. Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco. Walia 13 (in press). Per Ole Syvertsen, Division of Zoology, Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Box 1050 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo 3, Norway and Yilma Dellelegn, Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organisation, Box 386, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Scopus 15: 30-34, August 1991 Received 17 June 1991 Second Announcement Eighth Pan-African Ornithological Congress Huitiéme Congrés Panafricain d’Ornithologie BURUNDI Due to unforeseen circumstances, the venue has been changed to Burundi Venue: University of Burundi, Bujumbura Dates: 30 September — 5 October 1992 Registration fees: up tp 30 April 1992 US$250.00 from 1 May 1992 US$300.00 8 PAOC Chairman: Dr Michel Louette, Africa-Museum, B-1980, Tervuren, Belgium (Fax: + 32 2 7670242) from whom registration forms may be obtained. Vice-Chairpersons: Christian Erard, Kim Howell, Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, Trevor Wilson Chairmen Scientific Programme: Kim Howell and Trevor Wilson Chairman Local Organizing Committee: Gaspard Ntakimazi Other Scientific Commission Members of Local Organizing Committee: Laurent Ntahuga and Jean-Pierre Vande weghe Chairman PAOC Committee: Lester Short. The International Council for Bird Preservation is an active participant in the Congress New bird records for Kakamega 35 New birds from Kakamega, Western Kenya, including new breeding records Udo M. Savall: The Kakamega Forest is the easternmost remnant of the once more extensive lowland rain forests of West and Central Africa. Because of this, itis unique among Kenyan forests, with many butterflies, snakes, orchids, trees, and birds not found elsewhere in Kenya (Diamond 1979, Zimmerman 1972). Although there are 238 km2 of gazetted Forest Reserve, only about half is still indigenous forest, the rest being grassy and bushed glades, cultivation, and plantations of indigenous and introduced trees (Tsingalia 1988). In 1985, the northern portion of the forest (including the nearby Kisere Forest) was gazetted as a National Reserve and given complete protection. There is growing evidence that the forest is not uniform throughout, with northern portions being drier and having more glades (Tsingalia 1988). Birds from the area have been enumerated by a number of authors. Van Someren (1922, 1933), Jackson (1938), Ripley & Bond (1971), and Zimmerman (1972) base their lists at least in part on collected specimens, while Tennent (1965), Diamond & Fayad (1979), and Mann (1980, 1985) base theirs on sight records and netted birds. Together, these lists have resulted in about 330 species of birds known from Kakamega. The distribution of all birds of East Africaand Kenya, respectively, including some additional records from Kakamega, are reviewed in Britton (1980) and Lewis & Pomeroy (1989). The latter atlas provides range distributions by quarter square degrees (QSD). The QSD that includes the Kakamega Forest is 48D, from the equator to 0°30N and from 34°30E to 35°E. In this paper I report on 37 additional species that I have observed or netted within the Kakamega Forest boundary, 18 of which are new for Kakamega’s QSD. Unlike previous workers, my emphasis has not been on forest birds, having concentrated instead on the birds in the various glades. Field work was conducted briefly in June and July 1986 and then from November 1987 to August 1988, from April to August 1989, and again from March to August 1990. Initial work was done in the area of the Nature Reserve by the Forest Department Headquarters at Isecheno (O°19N, 34°53E) in 1986 and 1987. I then moved up to the newly-created Kakamega National Reserve at the north end of the forest (0°21N, 34°52E). Most of my field work is carried out in the glades there rather than in the forest itself. Unless indicated otherwise, all observations were made at the National Reserve. Birds new to QSD 48D Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus I have two records of this distinctive migrant. A male was seen soaring above the forest edge along the Lugusida River, near the Forest Station on 21 December 1987. An adult female was perched in Pinus trees (which are no longer there) at the edge of the National Reserve on 25 April 1988. . Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis My only record of this species is of a large, Aquila-shaped eagle soaring quite high up on 4 April 1989. From below it was a uniform medium-toned brown except for a single pale bar along the edge of the underwing coverts, upon which identification of this immature was based. The only other species that it could have been is the Tawny Eagle A. rapax, which 36 Udo M. Savalli is often considered conspecific (Brown 1982) and is known from QSD 48D. Other unidentified Aquila eagles were seen on 25 and 27 March and 16 Apmil 1990. Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus An adult was seen well for several minutes soaring over the reserve on 7 May 1990. The combination of its large size, black chest and fine spotting on the underparts rendered it unmistakable. A probable immature of this species was observed on 2 January 1988 at the Isecheno Forest Station. Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus A very large falcon with grey upperparts and pale, lightly streaked underparts was seen first perched rather high up at the edge of forest along the Lugusida River, near the Forest Station on 22 December 1987. The buffy cap was easily seen. The bird then flew across the glade before disappearing. Wattled Plover Vanellus senegallus A single individual was observed for some time through a x45 spotting scope on 21 July 1988. It was on a football field of very short grass at the edge of the reserve, apparently foraging. Feral Pigeon Columba livia Although I have not yet observed this species within the boundaries of the forest, it undoubtedly occurs at the very edges. It occurs in Kakamega town and on 22 June 1989 I saw several at the village of Kambiri, which lies between the Kakamega and Kisere Forests. Namaqua Dove Oena capensis A single female was flushed from a road in the reserve on 3 July 1990. She flew into a bush where I was able to observe her for some time from as close as 10 m. Its small size and long, graduated tail rendered identification very easy. Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pulchella At about 07:00 hrs on 21 June 1988, I observed a pair of lovebirds fly in from north of the reserve, circle twice over the glade and then fly north again. Seen from below, both were bright lime-green except for the head and throat which were bright orange. During flight they called with high-pitched cheewheep. This is the only possible naturally occurring lovebird in the area, wandering from Uganda into extreme western Kenya (Britton 1980, Lewis & Pomeroy 1989). Neither Fischer’s A. fischeri nor Yellow-collared Lovebirds A. personata, both introduced to Naivasha, Nakuru, and Kisumu (Thompson & Karanja 1989), match this description. The only other possibility would be an escaped Lilian’s Lovebird A. lilianae (native to Malawi and Zambia, Benson et al. (1988)), but escapes seem unlikely in this part of Kenya. Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus A single sight record of a bird seen just before dawn in open secondary growth on 25 May 1990. A medium-large ow! with laterally-projecting ear tufts, mottled chest, finely barred belly, pale mottling on the scapulars, and dark border to the face. The eyes appeared dark (though the light was poor), suggesting that it was of the subspecies cinerascens. Horus Swift Apus horus Small numbers (up to eight) of this species occur regularly in the company of White- headed Roughwings Psalidoprocne albiceps at Buyangu Hill in the reserve. Buyangu Hill is the site of a former murram quarry; the banks of its numerous ravines are the nesting sites New bird records for Kakamega Si of Little Bee-eaters Merops pusillus and the roughwings. These swifts had narrow white rump patches which extended down to the flanks, whitish throats which appeared buffy in some individuals (soil stained perhaps) and forked tails. Although noticeably forked when folded, when fully fanned out the tail looked almost squareish and for this reason I concluded that they were not White-rumped Swifts Apus caffer. Eurasian Roller Coracias garrulus A single individual was seen sometime between 3 and 8 December 1987 (the exact date was not recorded) on an exposed perch. The lack of tail streamers was clearly evident. Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevia A single individual was seen perched on a small bush on 18 February 1988. Black-billed Barbet Lybius guifsobalito The only record is on 13 April 1988, when one individual was spotted in a bush near the edge of the reserve before it flew across a football field and disappeared. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe A single female or immature was observed for some time on 23 February 1988 perched on some cement blocks near the edge of the reserve where the grass was rather short. Above, the head and mantle were pale brownish-grey, the wings were darker greyish- brown. The forehead and chin were pale grey, lacking a brown tinge. The lower earcoverts, sides of the neck and breast were buff with perhaps a very slight pinkish tinge, fading to white on the lower belly and undertail coverts. It had an indistinct pale superciliary stripe and the lores were blackish. The tail was white with a broad black terminal band which was somewhat broader on the central tail feathers. It wagged its tail a lot when excited. Identification is based on the darker colour, slenderer shape, and smaller, straighter bill as compared to that of the Isabelline Wheatear O. isabellina illustrated in Heinzel et al. (1972). Brown Parisoma Parisoma lugens A single bird was captured in a mist net and photographed (but not ringed) in some dense bushes and thickets above a creek near the reserve headquarters on 30 June 1988. This small warbler was entirely dull brown above; tail sooty with outer tail feathers edged with white and the second pair tipped white. Below, it was indistinctly mottled white, dusky, and buff; centre of breast whitish; flanks and undertail coverts buffy. The bill was black, legs grey, and iris red-brown. Its wing measured 63 mm and it weighed 15 g. Whitethroat Sylvia communis Two were seen in the period 3 to 8 December 1987 (exact dates not recorded); one was in woodland and the other at the forest edge in mid-story. An additional individual was seen inside forest on 27 March 1988. Parasitic Weaver Anomalospiza imberbis A single male captured in a mist net, ringed and photographed on 10 May 1988 is my only record for this species. He was captured in nets set up in a grassland, at the edge of a marshy creek. The wing was 69 mm and the weight 20 g. Zebra Waxbill Amandava subflava I observed a single male, probably of the nominate race, perched in some tall grass for about 10s on 20 July 1989, and a group of four birds were seen briefly in a marshy glade on 19 May 1990. The first bird seen was dull brown above, with a narrow dull red eyestripe. Below he had a yellow throat and an orange breast, blending into a salmon-red lower belly 38 Udo M. Savalli and undertail coverts, and with some barring on the sides. He had a longish tail, much like a typical Estrilda. The bill was dark greyish or brownish. Birds in QSD 48D but not recorded for Kakamega In this section I briefly list 19 species which have not been included in the published literature cited but are recorded for QSD 48D. Since many of the bird atlas records are based on unpublished data (Lewis & Pomeroy 1989), it is possible, even very likely, considering Kakamega’s attraction to bird watchers, that some of these atlas records are from Kakamega. I include them here for the sake of convenience. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea not common, always near water. Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus one record, 12 April 1988, on rocks in the Ishiuku River. Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus one photographed flying overhead on 14 April 1988 and one seen perched 6 June 1988. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus uncommon. Eastern Grey Plantain Eater Crinifer zonurus uncommon visitor to the extreme north- ern edge of the reserve. Montane Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus only one positive record, an individual photographed while incubating a single egg on 11 January 1988 in a bushed glade near the Isecheno Forest Station. Ground Hornbill Bucorvus cafer uncommon, generally in disturbed grasslands; a pair was seen calling on 1 July 1990. House Martin Delichon urbica a fairly common Palaearctic winter visitor, from 30 November to 13 Apnil. Yellow-throated Leaflove Chlorocichla flavicollis while examining specimens of this species at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in order to confirm my identification of a group of three or four seen near the reserve headquarters on 1 July 1990, I came upon five specimens of the subspecies pallidigula which had been collected at Kakamega by K. Caldwell in 1924. Little Rock Thrush Monticola rufocinerea a male was seen in Lantana thickets at the north edge of the reserve on 12 Aug 1990. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra a Palaearctic winter visitor from 11 December to 24 February. Grey-capped Warbler Eminia lepida one sight record, in marshy thickets, and two birds caught in dense thickets on 14 March 1990. Black Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides uncommon, most frequently seen in the vicin- ity of the reserve headquarters. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata one record. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio one record, 5 April 1988. Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor fairly common migrant, 11 to 29 April. Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris phoeniceus although I did not observe this species at Kakamega myself, I include it because I discovered three Kakamega specimens, all adult males in non-breeding plumage, collected in March 1923 and February 1924, at the AMNH. New bird records for Kakamega 39 Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis one male seen in mid July 1986 near Rhondo Hill. Red-billed Firefinch Indigobird Hypochera chalybeata uncommon in short grass at the north edge of the reserve, including a singling male. Hypothetical list The following species have been seen briefly at Kakamega but not sufficiently well fora positive identification. Both'\are recorded for QSD 48D. Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus beaudouini Black and White Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus. New breeding records for QSD 48D Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus two breeding records. The first was on 28 May 1989 when I observed a juvenile which still had very short rectrices being fed a large black caterpillar by an adult. The second was from 22 June 1989 when I flushed a bird from its nest situated about 1.5 m up in a clump of Acanthus. There was a single pale pink egg inside. White-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis two records of birds flushed off nests in grassy glades. The first, on 17 April 1990 revealed a patch of flattened dead grass containing twoeggs, about 2.5 cm long, pale pinkish-cream with slightly darker, indistinct pinkish brown splotches. The second was a spot of bare ground near a termite mound with a single broken egg shell and a dead nestling reduced to a skeleton with some downy feathers. When the female flew off this nest, she had a short, flopping, laboured flight, apparently a distraction display. Fan-tailed Warbler Schoenicola platyura two breeding records, the first being a nest containing two nestlings found low and well hidden in tall grass on 16 August 1989. The nestlings’ flight and body feathers were beginning to emerge; the eyes were open. The second was an egg laid by a bird caught in a mist net on 29 May 1990. Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae two breeding records. The first is a nest found tucked under a low (10-15 cm tall) clump of grass in a football field at the north edge of the reserve on 24 February 1988. It contained two eggs, but was subsequently abandoned, probably due to disturbance caused by children playing football. The second nest was found in the same general area (now a school yard) in grass about 10 cm tall on 23 April 1989. It contained three eggs. Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus one breeding record, on 10 April 1989, of a nest well hidden in a thick mat of grass, containing three eggs. Orange-tufted Sunbird Nectarinia bouvieri one certain breeding record, on 2 November 1987, near the Isecheno Forest Station. This was a grass nest, about 12 cm deep, suspended from asmall shrub in grassland near the forest edge. It was lined with fine white plant down and had some green leaves woven into it. It contained two eggs which i estimated to be about 12 mm long. They were white with pale grey mottling. According to Mackworth- Praed & Grant (1960), the eggs of this species have not yet been described. Only the female was seen at the nest but she was observed to join a male, upon whom identification of this species is based. Three other similar nests were found in the same glade on the same day, all in small bushes less than 30 m from the forest edge, but none contained any eggs or nestlings. 40 Udo M. Savalli Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild three breeding records. The first of these, on 10 June 1989, involves two juvenile Pin-tailed Whydahs Vidua macroura begging from an adult waxbill. One of the whydahs and several adult waxbills were subsequently caught in mist nets. The other two records are of nests found near the ground under tussocks of grass. Both were ball type nests with an entrance funnel and both contained an open-sided compart- ment of ‘cock’s nest’, on top, line with feathers. The nest found on 27 June 1989 contained six eggs, that on 28 June 1989 one egg and two nestlings. The nestlings were naked and had their eyes closed, but were about twice the size of the remaining egg. Acknowledgements I wish to thank the government of Kenya, particularly the Office of the President, the Council on Science and Technology, the Forestry Department and the Department of Conservation and Wildlife Management (now the Kenya Wildlife Service) for permission to work in Kenya. I am grateful to Mary LeCroy at the American Museum of Natural History and Cecilia Gichuki at the National Museums of Kenya for permission to use their collections. Funding was provided by grants from the Animal Behavior Society, Sigma Xi, the Alexander Wetmore fund of the American Ornithologists’ Union, and the University of California Research Expeditions Program. References BENSON, C.W., BENSON, F.M., STUART, S.N. & Fry, C.H. 1988. Psittacidae... in The birds of Africa vol 3 (Fry, C.H., KEITH, S. & URBAN, E.K., EDS). London: Academic Press. BRITTON, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS. Brown, L.H. 1982. Accipitridae... in The birds of Africa vol 1 (BRown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEWMAN, K. EDs.). London: Academic Press. DiamMonpb, A.W. & Fayab, V.C. 1979. Preliminary comparisons between the avifaunas of the North Nandi and Kakamega Forests. Scopus 3: 93-100. HEINZEL, H., FITTER, R.S.R., & PARSLOW, J.L.F. 1972. Birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East. London: Collins. JACKSON, F.J. 1938. The birds of Kenya Colony and the Uganda Protectorate. vols 1-3. London: Gurney & Jackson. Lewis, A. & PoMEROY, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1960. Birds of Eastern and North Eastern Africa. second edition, vol 2. London: Longmans. MANN, C.F. 1980. Notes on the avifaunas of the Kakamega and the Nandi Forests. Scopus 4: 97— Oo: MANN, C.F. 1985. An avifaunal study in Kakamega Forest, Kenya, with particular reference to species diversity, weight, and moult. Ostrich 56: 236-262. Rey, S.D. & Bonp, G.M. 1971. Systematic notes on acollection of birds from Kenya. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 111: 1-18. TENNENT, J.R.M. 1965. Notes on the birds of Kakamega Forest. Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society. 25: 95-100. THOMPSON, J.J. & KaRANJA, W.K. 1989. Interspecific competition for nest cavities by introduced lovebirds Agapornis sp. at Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Scopus 12: 73-78. TsINGALIA, H.M. 1988. Animals and the regeneration of an African forest tree. Thesis, University of California at Berkeley. New bird records for Kakamega 4] VAN SOMEREN, V.G.L. 1922. Notes on the birds of East Africa. Novitates Zoologicae 29: 1-246. VAN SOMEREN, V.G.L. 1932. Birds of Kenya and Uganda, being addenda and corrigenda to my previous paper in Novitates Zoologicae XXIX, 1922. Novitates Zoologicae 37: 252-380. ZIMMERMAN, D.A. 1972. The avifauna of the Kakamega Forest, western Kenya, including a bird population study. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 149: 255-339. Udo M. Savalli, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. Scopus 15: 35-41, August 1991 Received 24 January 1991 REVIEW The birds of Liberia (West Africa). A preliminary list with status and open questions by W. Gatter, 1988. Munich: Verhandlungen der Ornithologischen Gesellschaft Bayern 24: 689-723. Size 160 x 239 mm, softback, pp.35 including one line map. Price US$5 or DM6. This booklet begins with a brief summary of the limited attentions that this west African country has received from ornithologists. This section is followed by concise but comprehensive summaries of topography, climate and the principal vegetation zones. The extensive ecological degradation that has occurred in Liberia is made clear by a few, brief statistics. Only 38 per cent (42 000 km?) of the country’s once ubiquitous forest cover remains at the present day and, by 1987, the whole of this meagre percentage with the exception of a single national park had been leased as timber concessions. Liberia’s forests have been disappearing at the rate of 400-500 km? per annum since 1980. The main bulk of this book consists of a 28-page annotated list of the country’s 590 bird species which, in addition to English and scientific names, gives highly abbreviated information on status, abundance, habitats and distribution, as well as listing ‘open questions’, i.e. pointing out where knowledge of each species is lacking. The text is completed by acknowledgements, a brief summary in German of the introductory sections, and a bibliography of sources not mentioned by an ornithological summary of the country published in 1930. This useful booklet is the most modern source on Liberia’s birds, and a commendable compilation. The information given for each species is a little brief, however, and the author must have, for example, various seasonal data, no matter how rudimentary, on such factors as occurrence of vagrants, breeding seasons, and Palaearctic and intra-African migrants, that could most usefully have been included. There is no indication whatsoever as to whether the Palaearctic species winter in Liberia, or are only seen on passage. The Lesser Jacana is listed simply as “V?”, i.e. of uncertain occurrence as a vagrant, whereas its text space could more profitably have been used for very brief mentions of areas and dates. The occurrence of the Rock Pigeon Columba livia has been rejected but, again, if the species is worthy of mention in this list, it would also be worth mentioning whence in the country the rejected record(s) originated; and, since they are often omitted by lists of this type, are there any feral populations of this species in Liberia’s towns? The additional space necessary for the inclusion of such useful data as these could have been created by omitting the list’s subfamily headings, which are largely superfluous here, by abbreviating both scientific and English nomenclature where possible, and by not displaying the list’s annotations in columns, which look very neat but make for large areas of blank, wasted space. The English nomenclature in particular contains misspellings (Lemmon Dove, Lizzard Buzzard, Lesser Jakana, etc.) and inconsistencies (Tinkerbird and Tinker-Bird, Bee-eater and bee-eater, Guinea Fowl and Guineafowl, etc.) which are unfortunate in a work of this nature. Adrian D. Lewis 42 Short communications SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi migration in Uganda Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi is the most migratory African eagle and is said to visit East Africa from August to April (Britton 1980). Evidence for large-scale migration rests on observations from Marahan Mt (6° 12S, 29° 50E) on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, in west Tanzania, where large numbers moved southward between mid- July and early September (Ulfstrand & Lamprey 1960), and northwestern Uganda where more than 1000 were seen daily by Thiollay (1975) on 25 and 26 July. Further information on the scale, season and direction of this migration will be gained by the gradual accumulation of scattered observations of the above and the following kinds. Further observation in southwestern Uganda and Rwanda by Thiollay (/oc. cit.) helped to provide a link between the observations in northwestern Uganda and Mt Marahari. My own observations in western Uganda between 28 July and 18 August 1983 confirm Thiollay’s findings, but at c. 10 days later than his there were fewer birds (376 h-! compared with 504 h-'). Observations in Uganda I noted Wahlberg’s Eagles fairly often, including breeding birds, active migrants, and others. An adult brought food for a dependant juvenile on the unexpected date of 28 July at Kiganda (0°26N, 31°41E) and others, but never more than two at a time, were seen along the route to Fort Portal (O°SON, 30°20E) and Masindi (1°40N, 31°43E), including one in palms on the shore of Lake Albert at Butiaba (1°50N, 31°20E) on 3 August. There was no indication that any of these was actually migrating. Soon after 11:00 on 5 August while travelling west through hilly grasslands just south of Pakuba at c. 2°16N, 31°26E occasional Wahlberg’s Eagles became increasingly frequent overhead, often associated with Bateleurs Terathopius ecaudatus. Then at 11:45 a short distance southwest of Pakuba, several groups of Wahlberg’s Eagles were sighted, all moving in the same direction. In the next 15 min a total of 161 was counted, followed by 26, 29 and 160 in the subsequent three 15-min periods: a total of 376 in an hour at the one site. I moved off westwards, in an attempt to determine the width of the flight, but it soon became obvious that either the movement was over, or that the stream of birds had been left behind. Their manner of flight was typical for migrating raptors. Most of them were very high and could be discerned through binoculars approaching from the north over the broad Nile valley. Their progress was in long glides, with only occasional wing beats, between rising thermals where arriving birds would quickly accumulate to build up in a wheeling cloud amounting to as many as 80; on one occasion there were 131 birds together in one thermal and 29 others in the area. At the height of their ascent the birds were practically invisible to the naked eye, even against white clouds, before they moved on to the next thermal. Throughout the flight Bateleurs constantly cruised about and there were several vultures and a few Fish Eagles Haliaeetus vocifer in the air, but the only other species possibly migrating were two Black Kites Milvus migrans accompanying the eagles. As far as could be ascertained from topography and the map, flight direction was north to Short communications 43 south during the long glides above the river, but over land it was less clear because of the birds’ tendency to alter course to join thermals. The height of the observation site was c. 650 m, the weather hot and mostly sunny, with a light northerly breeze under 4/10 cover of cumulus. There was also marked instability with active formation of thermals, although the area over the broad river was cloudless and there was presumably little, if any, thermal formation there. There was no sign of migration on the next day along the Nile valley between Paraa (2°18N, 31°35E) and Kabalega Falls (2°15N, 31°41E), but further north on 7 August at 10 km north of Nebbi (2°31N, 31°07E) in West Nile Province 17 A. wahlbergi flew c. SE in the same manner as the earlier birds. On 8 August at 11:20 two flew c. SSE at 3°13N, 31°O7E. During the next 11 days only six A. wahlbergi, not obviously migrating, were seen on the journey through Arua, Moyo, Gulu, Chobi, Masindi and Fort Portal back to Kampala. In particular, not one was seen between Fort Portal and Ntoroko at the south end of Lake Albert. However, if they were travelling on a narrow front they could be missed easily if their route were crossed at the ‘wrong’ time of the day. Discussion Wahlberg’s Eagle is widespread in Africa between c. 30°S and 18°N, west to the Atlantic in Senegal and east to northern Somalia; it breeds mainly south of the equator in September—January, more rarely to 14°N; non-breeding areas are to the north in the northern tropical savannas of the Sudan, Chad, west to Gambia, from March to August; it migrates south in July—August and, by inference, north in January—February (Brown et al. 1982). There is a small breeding population in the north which may not migrate, and it is absent from southern Africa in March—August (Brown et al., loc. cit.). Con- centrations of birds between late January and early April in Tsavo East National Park (3°30S, 39°O00E) in Kenya are probably migrants moving north to presumed non- breeding season areas during May-July (Britton 1980). It is possible that birds follow well-defined routes on rather narrow fronts. References Britton, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. Brown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEWMAN, K. 1982. The birds of Africa. Vol. 1. London: Academic Press. THIOLLAY, J.M. 1975. Migrations de rapaces africaines en Ouganda et au Rwanda. L’ Oiseaux et R.F.O. 45: 192-194. ULFSTRAND, S. & Lamprey, H. 1960. On the birds of the Kungwe—Mahari area of western Tanganyika. Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society 23: 223-232. Dr J. S. Ash, Godshill Wood, Fordingbridge, Hants SP6 2LR, England Scopus 15: 42-43, August 1991 Received 11 June 1990 44 Short communications Two previously undocumented first records for Kenya During the course of numerous enquiries at several overseas museums concerning Kenya birds in their collections, two specimens have been located which, by virtue of their date of collection, were the first records of both species concerned for Kenya. We document these records below. Francolinus levaillantoides Smith’s Francolin Los Angeles County Museum specimen #88473. A female collected by K. Stager on 4 October 1973 at 1950 m on Mt Kulal (2°43N, 36°5S6E). This little known francolin was previously known in East Africa from three specimens collected at 2150-2450 m on Mt Moroto, northeast Uganda, on 11-14 May 1963, and from sight records at 1500 m in the Kidepo Valley National Park in 1966. The Moroto and Kulal birds were assigned to the race archeri. Alcedo quadribrachys Shining-blue Kingfisher British Museum (Natural History) Tring specimen No. 1965-M-5691.A male collected on 6 November 1905 in the Kabwaren Forest, Nandi District by Col. R. Meinertzhagen. A notation “shot when with advanced guard and just before a small ambush” illustrates the remarkable dexterity and presence of mind of this intrepid naturalist during his early days in Kenya. More recently there have ben two records of this species in Kenya, with one present in the Kakamega Forest from 20 November 1974 to 27 January 1975, and one near Alupe on the Kenya—Uganda border north of Busia on 21 August 1990. Acknowledgements We are most grateful to Mr Kimball Garrett of the Los Angeles County Museum, and to Mr P. Colston of the British Museum (Natural History) Tring for allowing us to examine specimens. We also thank Mr A. D. Forbes- Watson for notifying us of the Meinertzhagen bird at Tring. D. A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi, Kenya, Prof D. A. Zimmerman, 1011 West Florence Street, Silver City, NM, USA, and Dr D. J. Pearson, Browses, Sibton, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 2JH, England Scopus 15: 44, August 1991 Received 24 July 1991 Smith’s Francolin Francolinus levaillantoides and other distributional records from the Huri Hills, northern Kenya On 21 January 1989, while travelling through the southern end of the Huri Hills, northern Kenya (c. 3°30N, 37°47E), the authors, together with A. L. Archer, noted a smallish francolin creeping in tall grass by the side of the main track. This bird and a second individual were flushed and flew about 200 m, but could not be found again. In flight they showed conspicuous rufous wing patches, bordered by a narrow dark edge along the ends of the flight feathers. Their springing take-off and easy flight suggested a lighter, smaller bird than Shelley’s Francolin F. shelleyi. Of the three red-winged francolin species listed Short communications 45 for Kenya by Britton (1980) and by Lewis & Pomeroy (1989) Shelley’s ranges north as far as Mt Kenya, while the Moorland Francolin F. psilolaemus is essentially confined to altitudes above about 1800 m and the Red-wing F. leavaillantii occurs in the southwest. It was assumed, therefore, that the Huri Hills birds were Smith’s (or Orange River) Francolin F. levaillantoides, a bird frequent to common (race lorti) in southern Ethiopia near the Kenya border (Urban, Fry & Keith 1986). The authors returned to spend two days in the Huris from 10—12 November 1989, during the short rains. In the higher rolling volcanic grasslands in the middle section of the hills at c. 1100 m, Smith’s Francolins were heard and seen well and conclusively identified. A repeated four-note call, similar to that of Shelley’s, was heard at dawn and in the late afternoon of 11 November in the green but shortish (c. 0.3-m-high) grass. It was tape- recorded, and a playback induced further persistent calling, and eventually a pair of birds was seen, and watched almost clear of the vegetation down to a range of about 15 m. The birds were patterned tawny brown above, with long creamy streaks, and creamy white below with fine grey barring just visible at close range. The flanks were broadly streaked with rich tawny, while the breast and lower neck were more finely streaked the same colour. The greyish white throat was bordered by a blackish line. A buffy-white supercilium extended back into a finely black and white speckled band down the side of the neck. Otherwise the top and sides of the head were pale tawny-buff, the top of the head, with dark speckling. The legs were yellow. The dark brown bordered wing patches were always conspicuous in flight. The birds differed from Shelley’s in being smaller, lacking black barring below and in having a prominent pale supercilium. The call, a quick four-note ki-keer, ki-kit, repeated once per second about five times, was slightly shriller and faster than the call of Shelley’s, and was accented on the second syllable. The pair often allowed close approach when calling, but were usually hidden in the grass, with only the upward-pointing head of the calling bird visible. They remained close to a small grassy hillock from which calling usually took place. Other birds were heard from two points across the valley less than 1 km away. The November site was some 5 km north of the point where the birds were found in January. It is clear that the species is reasonably common in the higher parts of the Huris. It has not been recorded previously from Kenya, but is known from extreme southeast Sudan and northeast Uganda (Urban, Fry & Keith 1986). However, there is a specimen of a female (of the race archeri) in the Los Angeles County Museum, collected at 6500 feet (1980 m) by K. Stager on 4 October 1973 from Mt Kulal (2°43N, 36°56E) to the west (Turner, Zimmerman & Pearson 1991). A quick survey during the November visit, from the highest grassy parts of the Huri Hills down to the lower, drier Acacia bush just south of Mt Farole and the Ethiopian border, produced three more findings of particular distributional interest. Coqui Francolins F. coqui were heard calling on several occasions in the grassland where Smith’s was found. These are the first records from northern Kenya and presumably relate to the southern Ethiopian race maharao. Other races in Kenya are confined to the west, the central highlands and the coast. Rufous Short-toed Larks Calandrella somalica were abundant in flocks of up to hundreds in the higher short grassy valleys. Although locally common in south and southeast Kenya, this species has not been reported in the north. There is a record from Samburu Game Reserve which Britton (1980) suggests may have involved the race megaensis, and the Huri Hills birds must surely belong to this race, which occurs in the nearby Mega and Yabello areas of Ethiopia (White 1961).Several Pectoral-patch Cisticolas Cisticola brunnescens were seen and heard performing their song-fights on the high grassland on a dull misty morning. These were presumably of the nominate race which 46 Short communications occurs in the Ethiopian highlands, and so far unrecorded in Kenya. Finally, in the drier open Acacia bush below 900 m at the northern end of the hills, about ten Common Quail Coturnix coturnix were flushed singly during an hour’s walking, and the species was evidently quite common. From their rather pale appearance, and from the habitat and altitude at which they were found, these were presumed to have been nominate Palaearctic birds, perhaps newly arrived passage migrants. References BRITTON, P. L. (ED.) 1980. The birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS. Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. TURNER, D.A., ZIMMERMAN, D.A., & PEARSON, D.J. 1991. Two previously undocumented first records for Kenya. Scopus 15: 44. URBAN, E.K., Fry, C.H., & KEITH, S. 1986. The birds of Africa. vol 3. London: Academic Press. White, C.M.N. 1961. A revised check list of the African broadbills, pittas... Lusaka: Government Printer. Dr D. J. Pearson, Browses, Sibton, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 2JH and M.A. C. Coverdale, Box 2978, Nakuru, Kenya Scopus 15: 44-46, August 1991 Received 28 September 1991 Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius feeding on Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris in Tsavo, Kenya In the autumn, during favourable weather conditions of mist and no moon, thousands of Palaearctic migrants come to ground at Ngulia Lodge (3°O00S, 38°13E), Tsavo National Park (West), Kenya (Pearson & Backhurst 1976, and annual reports in Scopus). In early November 1990, the area was still dry with few green leaves and little new grass growth. No Secretary Birds Sagittarius serpentarius were seen in this time. However, during the December visit, by which time the area was green and lush, I regularly saw a pair of Secretary Birds, either soaring overhead or patrolling the area on foot. After the misty and wet night of 17 December several hundred migrants had been grounded and many remained in the shrubby area around the lodge during the day. I saw two Secretary Birds slowly walking through the grass and shrubby area to the west of the lodge, searching for food in the middle of the day. One of the birds interrupted its slow striding walk and ran forward fast—obviously hunting an animal which was trying to escape in the rank grass. After 10-15 s of kicking in the grass, the Secretary Bird grabbed a small warbler with its bill and, with a few jerks, turned the warbler’s body round and swallowed it. I continued to watch the Secretary Bird and, after a few minutes, I saw it take and swallow another warbler, whichI was able to identify as aMarsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris, from the grass. Secretary Birds are said to be opportunistic feeders; they regularly eat rodents, reptiles, large beetles and grasshoppers, and any small animal up to the size of a hare (Lepus) may be eaten if caught (Brown, et al. 1982, Kemp 1985). Eggs and chicks of ground-nesting birds may also be eaten (Kemp 1985). Feeding is always on the ground and the prey is immobilized by kicks from the short stout toes and their nail-like claws (Kemp 1985). Mobile prey is captured by running, sometimes aided by wing-flapping. The only notes of Short communications 47 adult birds as prey I have found in the literature relate to examples killed in grass fires (Brown, et al. 1982, Kemp 1985). The Marsh Warblers preyed on at Ngulia may have been exhausted or in poor condition after their migration although they were active enough to require the Secretary Bird to run after them and then immobilize them with kicks. Nikolaus (1990) reported shrikes Laniidae feeding on migrating Marsh Warblers in a desert oasis in the Sudan. In addition, the timing of the breeding of Eleonora’s Falcons Falco eleonorae and Sooty Falcons F. concolor to coincide with the autumn migration of small passerines is well known (Cramp & Simmons 1980, Walter 1979). Whether Secretary Birds regularly exploit concentrations of grounded warblers remains to be shown by further observation. References Brown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEWMAN, K. (EDS) 1982. The birds of Africa. Vol I. London: Academic Press. Cramp, S. & SIMMONS, K.E.L. (Eps) 1980. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Vol. 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Kemp, A.C. 1985. Secretary-bird, in A dictionary of birds (CAMPBELL, B. & LACK, E., Eps). Calton: Poyser. Nikotaus, G. 1990. Shrikes Laniidae feeding on Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris during migration. Scopus 14: 26-28. PEARSON, D.J. & Backiurst, G.C. 1976. The southward migration of Palaearctic birds over Ngulia, Kenya. /bis 118: 78-105. Wa ter, H. 1979. Eleonora’ s Falcon, adaptations to prey and habitat ina social raptor. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Susanne Akesson, Department of Ecology, Animal Ecology, Lund University, Ecology Building, S-223 62, Lund Sweden Scopus 15: 46-47, August 1991 Received 13 May 1991 Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus breaks open tree hole to aid prey capture On 27 July 1990 near Kiboko on the Nairobi-Mombasa road, we observed an adult Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus as it foraged in mature Acacia xanthophloea. The bird was searching holes and other cavities in the classic manner, clinging precariously and flapping its wings for balance at each stop. After a few minutes, it reached into a hole and grabbed a small mammal which it carried to a perch which was too heavily screened by vegetation to allow us a good view. On finishing, the hawk returned to the same tree hole and, after a moment or two of delving with its leg, proceeded to dismantle the entrance with bill and foot, stopping every few seconds to delve again. After five minutes of modification, a second small mammal was captured and carried off to the same perch. Positive identifi- cation was impossible, but the prey was similar in size to an acaciarat Thallomys paedulcus. While hunting, harrier hawks are well known to destroy nests, like as those of weavers Ploceinae (Brown, Urban & Newman, 1982), but such modification of tree holes may be less common, and it seems worth reporting. 48 Short communications Reference Brown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEWMAN, K. (1982) The birds of Africa. Vol 1. London: Academic Press. bn John H. Fanshawe, Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Box 40658 Nairobi, Kenya and Clare D. FitzGibbon, Large Animal Research Group, De- partment of Zoology, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, England Scopus 15: 47-48, August 1991 Received 20 June 1991 New birds from Kenya’s northern border area During recent visits to the Lokichoggio area of northwestern Kenya(DAT and MACC, 11-— 14 August 1990), and to Kiwayu, Kiunga area, northern Kenya coast (DAT, 22-24 September 1990), the following birds were recorded for the country for the first time. Mirafra hypermetra kidepoensis Red-winged Bush Lark On 14 August 1990 two birds, approximately 20—25 m apart, were observed calling from the tops of small bushes in an area of bushed grassland (altitude 500 m) some 15 km northwest of Lokichoggio towards the Kenya—Sudan border. It was clear that both birds were Red-winged Bush Larks M. hypermetra; the calls of both were single short, drawn out whistles, repeated every 5-6 s. Both birds appeared to be smaller than nominate M. hypermetra from eastern Kenya, while a buffy supercilium and the diagnostic all-rufous wings as seen in flight, were the most prominent features of both birds. Bnitton (1980) states that the nominate race is locally common in bushed grasslands of the eastern plateau below 1350 m, with the smaller kidepoensis occurring in northeastern Uganda from Kidepo National Park to Mt Moroto. In Sudan, Cave & Macdonald (1955) show the range of kidepoensis as restricted to extreme southeastern areas. This record represents a small, but not totally unexpected extension of range, and is the first record of the race kidepoensis from Kenya. Cisticola ruficeps Red-pate Cisticola On 13 August 1990, some 15 km northeast of Lokichoggio, while watching a mixed bird party comprising several Red-fronted Warblers Spiloptila rufifrons, White-bellied Ca- naries Serinus dorsoStriatus anda single Purple Grenadier Uraeginthus ianthinogaster, we noticed that there were two small, chestnut headed cisticolas with them. We were able to observe the birds at close range for 15—20 min, and also relocate them with apparently the same mixed bird party early the following morning. Both cisticolas had identical plumage, and were presumed to be a pair. The dull chestnut head and nape contrasted sharply with the warm brown upperparts, and traces of some mottling on the mantle, and buffy edgings to the primaries and wing coverts were noticed. Chin and throat were clear creamy-white shading to buffy-white on the rest of the underparts, while the tail was plain brown with broad buffy-white edgings to the outer feathers. Size was similar to that of the Tiny Cisticola Cisticola nana. The plain brown upperparts identified these birds as belonging to the mongalla race of C. ruficeps, which Chappuis (1974) treated as a distinct species on account of its different voice. Unfortunately both birds were silent throughout the periods we had them under observation, and for the time being we prefer to consider mongalla as a race of ruficeps. Short communications 49 Britton (1980) refers to C. ruficeps as a bird of bushed and wooded grasslands, forming a superspecies with C. nana, with a few East African records of mongalla from north- eastern Uganda. As with the previous species, our observations represent a small but not unexpected extension of range, and the first record of Cisticola ruficeps from Kenya. Anaplectes melanotis jubaensis Red-headed Weaver On 23 September 1990 DAT noticed a group of Red-headed Weavers building nests in a baobab tree some 10 km north of Kiwayu village on the Kenya coast north of Lamu. Nine males and two females were watched for 10-15 min. The most striking feature of the colony was that all the males were bright crimson in colour, showing none of the plumage characteristics of the black-faced race /Jeuconotus which occurs over much of East Africa. It was clear that they were of the race jubaensis, a form described by van Someren (1920) and named Crimson Weaver Anaplectes jubaensis, through later treated as a race of A. melanotis by Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1955). Ash & Miskell (1983) refer to jubaensis as an uncommon resident in Somalia, occurring along the Jubba River and in southern forests south of 3°N. Hall & Moreau (1970) do not distinguish jubaensis and Britton (1980) does not mention this race for Kenya. This is surprising, since White (1963) gives the range of this form as “South Somalia in the Juba River area and adjacent north-east Kenya.” Whether Britton (1980) simply overlooked White’s record or rejected it on unstated grounds, is not known. Nevertheless, the present observation serves to admit this distinctive race to the Kenya avifauna. References Asi, J.S. & MIsKELL, J.E. 1983. Birds of Somalia, their habitat, status and distribution. Scopus Special Supplement No. 1. Britton, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. Cave, F.O. & MAcpbonaLp, J.D. 1955. Birds of the Sudan. London: Oliver & Boyd. Cuappuis, C. 1974. Illustration sonore de problémes bioacoustiques posés par les oiseaux de la zone éthiopienne. Alauda, Supple. Sonore 42 (4). HALL, B.P. & Moreau, R.E. 1970. Anatlas of speciation in African passerine birds.London: British Museum (Natural History). MAcKworTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1955. African handbook of birds Series I, vol2. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. London: Longman. VAN SOMEREN, V.G.L. 1920. Anaplectes jubaensis, Juba River, southern Italian Somaliland. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 40: 94. Wuite, C.M.N. 1963. A revised check list of African flycatchers... Lusaka: Government Printer. D. A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi and M. A. C. Coverdale, Box 2978, Nakuru, Kenya Scopus 15: 48-49, August 1991 Received 29 October 1990 50 Short communications Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs in northern Kenya On 25 January 1989 we found an Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs about 3 km east of Lake Turkana, near the Ethiopian boarder some 7 km north of Ileret (4°22N, 36°13E). It was walking slowly among sparse dry grass and leafless Acacia nubica bush, and was quite tame, allowing us to approach in a vehicle to within 25 m. The following description of the bird was taken: crested like a Kori A. kori but rather smaller and slimmer, neck thinner; tail reasonably long, giving a narrow, slightly drooping rear-end profile. Upperparts pale tawny, contrasting with pale grey, finely vermiculated neck; underparts white; blackish mark behind the eye and blackish feathers in crest; wing coverts crossed by five or six rows of buffish white spots, but no black and white pattern near bend of wing; tail broadly barred; legs and eye yellow. In flight, it showed a broad pale ‘diagonal’ band across the upper-wing coverts to carpal area; inner primaries pale with dark barring, rest of flight feathers dark. The bird was watched for about 20 min from various angles and in good early afternoon light. Photographs at c. 30 m were obtained using a 200-mm lens. The only previous record of this species from Kenya concerns a pair reported to have been collected in “East Turkana” (presumably west of the lake) in January 1932 (Britton 1980). However, it is perhaps in the arid bush country along the border between Ileret and Dukana that the species is likely to be found in future. Reference BRITTON, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their status, habitat and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. M.A. C. Coverdale, Box 2978, Nakuru, Kenya, A. L. Archer, Box 41822, Nairobi, Kenya, and Dr D. J. Pearson, Browses, Sibton, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 2JH, England Scopus 15:50, August 1991 Received 28 September 1990 Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae in the Matumbi Hills, Tanzania On the morning of 15 February 1990 I was walking near the base camp of an expedition to the Kiwengoma Forest Reserve in the Matumbi Hills of coastal Tanzania (8°18S, 38°58E). My attention was attracted by a familiar call and, on checking, I found two lovebirds on a fruiting tree. After a few minutes both birds flew, their direction of flight taking them across my field of view in good light. The body and wings were entirely green, including the back, rump and upper tail coverts. The head, including the forecrown, was reddish orange. The bill was red, paler at the base, and there was a whitish ring around the eye. I realized at once that these were Lilian’s Lovebirds Agapornis lilianae having had previous experience with the species in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe. The Matumbi Hills are remote and underpopulated and it is extremely unlikely that these birds were escapees. S. Davies, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, 10 Richmond Road, Exeter, Devon England Scopus 15: 50, August 1991 Received 9 March 1990 Short communications 51 Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae in Tanzania On 14 April 1980, I observed two lovebirds Agapornis spp. in Mtwara township (10° 16S, 40° 11E) coastal southeastern Tanzania. From a second floor balcony, the birds were observed flying across and circling around adjacent gardens. They resembled Fischer’s Lovebird Agapornis fischeri but lacked the distinctive blue upper tail coverts of that species. Being new to East Africa at the time, and lacking reference books, I was unable to place them. From field notes taken at the time of the observation, A. lilianae was the only possibility but available literature suggested that this species was found no closer than central Malawi. That these birds were escapes brought in from Malawi was considered unlikely; no trade exists between these areas and Mtwarais not used as an exit point for the bird trade. Despite several visits to Mtwara and the immediate hinterland during the following years, no other lovebirds were observed and I concluded that the observation was a single one of escaped birds. On 25 September 1989, Brother Arthur Grawehr was visiting a parish priest at Ligunga (11° 18S, 36° 25E) southeast of Songea and some 45 km north of the Mogambique border. On a tree close to a large fish pool and adjacent to a harvested maize field was a flock of about 15 A. lilianae. The orange-red faces and clear green rump/upper tail were clearly visible. The parish priest’s driver stated that the birds were numerous and well known in the area. On the morning of 15 February 1990, two Lilian’s Lovebirds were observed in the Matumbi Hills north west of Kilwa (Davies 1991). Southern Tanzania is virtually unknown omnithologically but I felt that the occurrence of this distinctive species could not have gone unnoticed and I conducted a literature search. Although Forshaw & Cooper (1987) include the area in their distribution map, they do not give references. The handbook of Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1953) does not record the species but field data collection for this publication ended some time in the mid 1940s. However, their handbook for the southern third of Africa (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1962) mentions Tanganyika Territory under “general distribution.” The reference for this (although not quoted) must surely be that of Moreau (1945), “The dwarf parrots (Agapornis) of Tanganyika”, page 26 states: “Lately, however, there have been independ- ent reports of what are believed to be Agapornis lilianae in the west of Rufiji District and in Liwale. These records which are being pursued, are of extraordinary interest because lilianae has not previously been reported nearer than the Shire and Zambezi Valleys.” Moreau’s correspondents for this comment were C. J. P. Ionides, who reported them nesting near Liwale in March, R. dela B. Barker and L. A. Haldane, all reliable observers. There can be no doubt that viable populations of this species have existed in Tanzania for some time. The main habitat type in southern Tanzania is miombo woodland which is avoided by /ilianae in Zambia (Benson, et al. 1971) and by A. fischeri and A. personata in Tanzania (pers. obs.). However, the vegetation maps for Tanzania show large areas of Acacia woodland south of Songea and Masasiand pockets of Acacia-dominated grassland near Liwale, the Matumbi Hills and just inland from Mtwara. This species should now be admitted to the avifauna of East Africa. Acknowledgements To Dylan Aspinwall and Dale Hanmer for useful comments on an earlier draft of this note and especially to Brother Arthur Grawehr for realizing the significance of his sightings. S52 Short communications References MACKWORTH-PRAED C.W.& GRANT, C.H.B. 1962. African Handbook of Birds ye 2, Southern Third of Africa. London: Longman. Davies, S.1991. Lilian’s Lovebird A gapornis lilianae in the Matumbi Hills, Tanzania. Scopus 15: 50. BENSON C.W., BROOKE,R.K., DowseTtT R.J. & IRwIN M.P.S. 1972. The birds of Zambia. London: Collins. ForsHAW, J.M. & Cooper, W.T.1978. Parrots of the world. Australia: Landsdown Edition. Moreau, R.E. 1945 The dwarf parrots (Agapornis) of Tanganyika. Tanganyika Notes and Records 19: 23-33. N. E. Baker, Box 23404, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Scopus 15: 51-52, August 1991 Received 2 February 1990, revised 11 August 1991 The genus Agapornis in East Africa The genus Agapornis (lovebirds) is confined to the Afrotropical region, with five of the nine species occurring in East Africa, including two species endemic to Tanzania. The noticeable increase of feral birds in many urban and suburban areas is now posing serious threats to other hole-nesting species, while the trapping and export of many thousands of lovebirds continues on a vast scale in Tanzania, with commercial airlines carrying consignment after consignment of these and other birds for the pet shops in Europe and North America. Over the past forty years, lovebirds have become extremely popular cage birds and are now a familiar sight in pet shops throughout the world; as a result, this lucrative trade has become, together with habitat destruction, a major threat to the survival of many species. With such conditions prevailing, it seems appropriate at this time to review the current status of all Agapornis species occurring in East Africa. Fischer’s Lovebird Agapornis fischeri Endemic to Tanzania, occurring as a locally common resident in wooded grasslands to the south and east of Lake Victoria, with its range centred around the Serengeti National Park. Other populations occur south to Nzega and Singida and east to Babati and Lake Manyara with wanderers reported near Arusha. It overlaps with A. personata in an area immediately south of Lake Manyara to Babati, though no interbreeding has been reported. There is no evidence that it has ever occurred in the wild in Kenya. Yellow-collared Lovebird Agapornis personata Endemic to Tanzania, occurring as a locally common resident in Acacia thorn scrub, being particularly partial to areas with scattered baobab trees. It ranges from Arusha and Tarangire National Park south through Dodoma and central areas to Ruaha National Park and the Lake Rukwaarea, overlapping with the preceding species around the southern end of Lake Manyara, and Babati. Despite a pre-1920 sight record from Taveta on the Kenya—Tanzania border, there is no evidence that it has ever occurred in a purely wild state in Kenya. Short communications 53 Feral and hybrid lovebirds With the trapping and export of lovebirds from Tanzania dating back to the 1920s (Moreau 1945), and the subsequent release and escape of many in coastal cities, feral populations of both Fischer’s and Yellow-collared Lovebirds have been present in Dar es Salaam, Tanga, and Mombasa for over fifty years. In addition, over the past 15-20 years many aviary owners in both Kenya and Tanzania faced with an ever increasing hybrid population of Fischer’s x Yellow-collared Lovebirds (which hybridize freely in captivity) have frequently released many hundreds into the wild. Thompson (1989) estimated the hybrid lovebird population in the Lake Naivasha area of central Kenya alone to be more than 6000 by 1986, while several other hybrid populations have also been released in other areas of Kenya (Cunningham-van Someren 1975). This has resulted in flocks of highly variable hybrid birds occurring in many areas, particularly around Kisumu, Molo, Nakuru, Naivasha, Nairobi, and Athi River, with wanderers occurring north to Isiolo, Meru and Embu districts, and south to Lolgorien and Namanga. Red-faced Lovebird Agapornis pullaria The race ugandae is a locally common species occurring in and around forest edges, wooded grasslands and areas of cultivation. It occurs rather sporadically over many areas of western, central and southern Uganda, northwestern Tanzania (south to Kigoma), and extending east along the southern shore of Lake Victoria to Kome and Ukerewe islands. In Kenya it is a local resident in the extreme western border areas from Malaba and Malikisi south to Alupe and Busia and extending east to Mungatsi in Mumias district. Black-collared Lovebird Agapornis swinderniana The race emini is a rarely recorded lowland forest species particularly favouring fig trees and edges of cultivation in the Bwamba lowlands of western Uganda. Grey-headed Lovebird Agapornis cana This Madagascar endemic was reported to have been introduced to Zanzibar and Mafia Islands, with some early sight records reported from Zanzibar (Pakenham 1979). How- ever, with no evidence of its occurrence there since 1920, on the recommendation of Baker (1990) this species has now been deleted from the East African and Tanzania lists. Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae Moreau (1945) mentioned reports of this species from western parts of Rufiji district and from around Liwale during the early 1940s. Forshaw (1973) also gave its range as including the southernmost parts of Tanzania and northwestern Mocambique; this was reiterated by Clancey (1980), possibly following Forshaw (op. cit.). Recent records are provided by Davies (1991) and Baker (1991). Although not admitted to the East African list by Britton (1980), the records of Davies and Baker (op. cit.) justify the inclusion of the species in the Tanzanian avifauna. References Baker, N.E. 1990. Three deletions from the avifauna of Tanzania. Scopus 14: 34-35. BAKER, N.E. 1991. Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae in Tanzania. Scopus 15: 51-52. Britton, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS. CLancey, P.A. (ED.) 1980. SAOS checklist of southern African birds. Pretoria: SAOS. CUNNINGHAM-VAN SOMEREN, G.R. 1975. Agapornis fischeri Reichenow in Kenya? Auk 92: 370- Law 54 Short communications Daves, S. 1991. Lilian’s Lovebird A gapornis lilianae in the Matumbi Hills, Tanzania. Scopus 15: 50. ForsHAW, J.M. 1973. Parrots of the world. New York: Doubleday. Moreau, R.E. 1945. The dwarf parrots (Agapornis) of Tanganyika. Tanganyika Notes and Records 19: 1-11. PAKENHAM, R.H.W. 1979. Birds of Zanzibar and Pemba. BOU Check-list No. 2. London: BOU. THOMPSON, J.J. 1989. A comparison of some avian census techniques in a population of lovebirds at Lake Naivasha, Kenya. African Journal of Ecology 27: 157-166. D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi Scopus 15: 52-54, August 1991 Received 6 October 1990 First East African Nest Record for the Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma vittatum On 16 March, 1990, a Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma vittatum nest was located at 1554 m in the Impenetrable (Bwindi) Forest of southwestern Uganda (0° 53S — 1° 8S and 29° 35E — 29° 50E). Apparently, this is the first East African nest and egg record for this species (Brown & Britton 1980, Fry et al. 1988). The Bar-tailed Trogon is a little-known species inhabiting mountain forests. Its populations are disjunct, although found as far west as Bioko Island, and as far south as Zambia (Fry et al. 1988). The March nesting date for Uganda agrees with February—March laying records from Zaire (Prigogine 1953). These records coincide with the rainy season. Breeding records elsewhere are scattered across many months (Prigogine 1953, Stuart 1986, Fry etal. 1988). It is, therefore, not clear what factors influence the onset of breeding. We found the nest when a female Bar-tailed Trogon flew from the tree cavity as we passed under it. Located on a little-used footpath in a valley, the nest tree (Memecylon sp.) was 3 m from a stream. Three kilometres inside the Forest Reserve boundary, the nest site was on a small peninsula (15 m across), formed by a 4.7-m wide stream. The nest was heavily shaded by tall trees and surrounding hills. The environment was damp, dark and dominated by mosses, lianas, epiphytes and tree ferns (Cyathea deckenii). Middle story trees were sparsely spaced. The herbaceous understory provided dense ground cover to a height of 1.3 m. The nest hole faced northwest. It was 1.9 m above ground in a slightly leaning trunk. The nest tree circumference was approximately 1 m. Its knobbly trunk was covered with a thick layer of moss and epiphytes. Approximately 90 per cent of the nest tree was dead wood. It was hollow from 60 cm above ground to just below the nest floor. Dimensions of the entrance hole were 17 x 8 cm. The floor of the cavity was covered with wood chips and sawdust. The nest was clean, and contained no faeces. Cavity dimensions were 21 cm (from inside lip of entrance hole to back wall) x 17 cm. The floor of the nest gradually sloped away from the entrance hole (with which it was nearly level) to a depth of 3.5 cm against the back wall. These cavity dimensions are considerably different from those recorded in West Africa (c. 40 cm diameter x 20 cm deep) (Prigogine 1953). Two eggs rested in a small depression, 2cm from the back wall. They were smooth, white and thin-shelled. The eggs were rounded ovals, slightly pointed on the narrow end. Their Short communications 55 measurements were 27.5 x 21.0 mm and 26.5 X 20.0 mm. Nest measurements were made on 19 March 1990 at 10:25 hours. The birds were not at the nest when we arrived and the eggs were cold. When candled, the eggs were translucent. It appeared as though incubation had not yet started. On 18 March 1990, we observed the nest for 2 h. At first there was no activity around the nest. Then, when a pedestrian passed under the cavity, the male trogon stuck his head out of the hole and could be seen up to the chest. Pausing there for about 20 s, he watched the human intruder pass before flying out to safety (c. 20 m). Once the person was gone, the trogon moved to a perch 2 m from the nest and called. For the next hour, he remained 3—15 m from the nest. He spent several minutes perched _ oneach branch, scanning for insects, before flying to another limb. His call was sometimes preceded by the fluffing of red feathers on his belly. The wup- wup-wup-wup call was repeated Six or more times each throughout the observation period. With each syllable, he depressed his tail to a vertical position. During this period, the female was not seen or heard. Acknowledgements We thank Tony Katende for plant identification, and Tom Butynski for comments on the MS. Field work was supported by USAID, WWF, and CARE. We thank the Uganda Forest Department and Game Department for permission to work in the Impenetrable Forest, and the Impenetrable Forest Conservation Project for providing logistical support. References Brown, L.H. & Britton, P.L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds. Nairobi: EANHS Fry, C.H., S. KerrH, & URBAN, E.K. 1988. The birds of Africa Vol. 3. London: Academic Press PRIGOGINE, A. 1953. Contribution a1’ étude de la faune ornithologique de la region a1’ ouest du lac Edouard. Ann. Mus Congo, 8, Sci. Zool. 24 STuarRT, S.N. 1986. Conservation of Cameroon Montane forests. ICBP Cameroon Montane Forest Survey. Cambridge: ICBP. Dr Jan Kalina and Dr Jonathan Baranga, Development Through Conservation Project, CARE Uganda, Box 7280, Kampala, Uganda Scopus 15: 54-55, August 1991 Received 9 May 1990 Palaearctic migrant birds caught in spiders’ webs While observing Palaearctic birds at Wadi Halfa on the White Nile in northern Sudan two were found caught in spiders’ webs. The first of these was a Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus on 6 September 1986 found struggling in a tangle of web. It was watched for some time, and after concluding that it was only becoming more entangled, I removed and ringed it. The second, a Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca, was seen as it flew into a similar type of web in a low tamarisk bush. After struggling for a short time, probably less than a minute, it managed to free itself and fly off strongly. The species of spider involved was not identified, but its web may have been characteristic—a rather dense tangle containing many small white spots which seemed to be very small balls of web. This description may be sufficiently adequate to enable identification by an arachnologist. Such incidents are presumably extremely rare. During 56 Short communications the 30 days spent in the area, when tens of thousands of migrants were seen, no others were found, either dead or alive, in other webs. Gerhard Nikolaus, who has considerable experience of bird migration in the region, states (in litt.) that he has never seen a mi- grant, or any other bird, in a spider’s web. Dr J. S. Ash, Godshill Wood, Fordinbridge, Hants SP6 2LR, England Scopus 15: 55-56, August 1991 Received 14 September 1990 New records of the Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis from Kiono Forest Reserve, Bagamoyo District, northeastern Tanzania During exploratory mist-netting of several Tanzanian coastal forests, two specimens of the Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis were captured on 2 and 3 September 1989 from Kiono Forest Reserve in Bagamoyo District, northeastern Tanzania. These specimens are the first netted in Tanzania since 1938, and their capture increases the total number of known localities for this threatened species to four (Collar & Stuart, 1985). The other localities are the extensive Arabuko-Sokoke Forest in Kenya, the 10 km’ of forest in the Pugu Forest Reserve near Dar es Salaam, and old records from a small and probably destroyed forest at Moa on the coast near Tanga in northeastern Tanzania. Kiono Forest Reserve is located at approximately 6° 10S, 38° 37E. This is c.20 km to the west-southwest of the coastal town of Sadaani (= Sadani), and c.15 km due west of the Indian Ocean. The forest itself occupies around 20 km? and the majority is found on a plateau of some 300 m above sea level. The actual ringing site was located 3.5 km along the vehicle track from Mbwebwe to Gongo, about 9 km off the main road from Miono to Sadaani. This was a spur of forest off the main plateau at around 200 m above sea level. The tree and shrub composition of the interior of Kiono Forest Reserve is relatively uniform, with the tree species Manilkara sulkata, Scorodophloeus fischeri, Bombax schumannianum, Cynometra spp and Erythrina sacleuxi predominating over a shrub layer comprising around 40 species where the genera Salacia, Uvaria, Oxanthus, Cynometra, Panicium and Millettia are the dominants (Mwasumbi and Burgess, unpublished data). Structurally the forest is quite uniform, with a canopy of 66 per cent average cover and 17.8 m average height, over a well-developed shrub layer of 60 per cent average cover and 5.7 m average height. Average half-sight readings of the shrub layer were 11.2 mat 2.1 m, 10.9 mat 1.5 mand 12.0 mat 0.2 m. The ground was typically sparsely vegetated (average 15 per cent vegetation cover), and had a thick litter layer with much rotting wood and abundant terrestrial invertebrates. Because of the isolation of this forest there has been relatively little human distur- bance—and this is largely confined to clearings around villages and some selective logging of valuable timber trees within the forest. Biometric data on the two Sokoke Pipit specimens captured are: weight 12.8 and 15.6 g; wing-length 65 and 68 mm; bill-length 13 and 15 mm; tarsus-length 14 and 18 mm; tail- length 48 and 54 mm. These measurements and the plumage markings were in agreement with other descriptions of the species. Photographs of the first specimen are deposited in the Red Data Book files at the ICBP in Cambridge, and with Neil Baker in Tanzania. These two records add greatly to our knowledge of this species in Tanzania and indicate Short communications 57 that further work on those Tanzanian coastal forests which remain largely unstudied may provide additional localities for this, and possibly other critical species. This investigation formed part of the ongoing ornithological survey of Tanzanian coastal forests initiated by Neil and Liz Baker of the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania and the International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP). The project work was also supported by the Frontier-Tanzania expedition TZO1 of the Society for Environ- mental Exploration, London. Reference CoLiar, N.J. & Stuart, S.N. 1985. Threatened birds of Africa and related islands: The ICBP/ IUCN Red Data Book, part I (3rd edition). Cambridge: ICBP and IUCN. N. D. Burgess, Reserves Ecology Department, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, England, C. J. Cutts, Zoology Department, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB9 2TN, Scotland and M. Huxham, Culterty Field Station, clo Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB9 2TN, Scotland Scopus 15: 56-57, August 1991 Received 15 November 1989 Further records of the Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis from Tanzania Burgess, Cutts & Huxham (1991) record the capture and ringing of two Sokoke Pipits Anthus sokokensis in Kiono Forest Reserve north of Dar es Salaam on 2 and 3 September 1989. In their account they note that these are the first captures of the species in Tanzania since 1938 (Pugu Hills: Collar & Stuart 1985). Collar & Stuart (1985) mention two later sight records from Tanzania: two west of the Pugu Hills in 1955 and “an adult and grown young bird” in the Pugu Hills in May 1981. On 16 November 1989 I twice saw two Sokoke Pipits in a small patch of forest at Vikinda Forest Reserve (6°59S, 39°17E) 17 km south of Dares Salaam. The birds were first flushed from the ground at 08:00 hrs; one disappeared into the lower branches of trees and the other hit one of my mist nets where it stayed for 2 s before flying to perch on a log 10 m away, remaining there for 30 s giving me time to note its plumage characters. A full description, which has been accepted by K.M. Howell and N.E. Baker, is lodged with the Editor. I saw the birds again at 17:00 hrs and was able to watch them for 5 min at close range. The next day, in the same area, I saw them fly off in different directions. The habitat in which these birds were seen was a patch of forest with a very sparse shrub layer and almost no undergrowth. Canopy cover was about 60—90 per cent. The upper canopy height was about 15 mand Afzelia cuanzensis and Baphia sp. were two of the trees growing on the clay and sandy soil in the area. At about 10:00 hrs on 3 March 1990 I saw a Sokoke Pipit in Kiono Forest (6°10S, 38°37E) and watched it for 5 min at a range of 4 m feeding on the ground. The Sokoke Pipit must be rare in both these forest areas. I have mist netted birds for considerable periods in both and the above are my only records for the species. 58 Short communications Acknowledgement Iam grateful to the Society for Environmental Exploration (London) throu gh the Frontier Tanzania Project TZ03 for logistical support in Kiono Forest. References Burcess, N.D., Cutts, C.J. & Huxuam, M. 1991. New records of the Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis from Kiono Forest Reserve, Bagamoyo District northeastern Tanzania. Scopus 15: 56—57. Co ar, N.J. & Stuart, S.N. 1985. Threatened birds of Africa and related islands: The ICBP/ IUCN Red Data Book, part I (3rd edition). Cambridge: ICBP and IUCN. Charles Mlingwa, Department of Zoology, University of Dar es Salaam, Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Scopus 15: 57-58, August 1991 Received 22 January 1990, revised 15 May 1990 The African Sand Martin Riparia paludicola: new for Somalia The African Sand Martin Riparia paludicola is widely distributed through eastern Africa, but has not previously been recorded from Somala. On 13 August 1989, small flocks of up to eight martins were observed at the outlet gate of the large man-made lake south of Jowhar and east of Xawaadley, Somalia, at c. 2° 35N, 45° 32E. Other hirundines present were Hirundo abyssinica and H. aethiopica. The martins were present along the lakeshore for the entire 2—3 hours of our stay there, and were seen well at close range on several occasions. One of us (JM), who is familiar with Riparia paludicola from western Uganda, identified them as this species on the basis of their all dark throat and chest; a characteristic which readily separates R. paludicola from the Banded Martin R. cincta and the Sand Martin R. riparia which are also known from marshy areas in southern Somalia. The other observers present were not familiar with Riparia paludicola in the field, but readily agreed that the birds matched the illustration of this species in Williams & Arlott (1980), which they consulted while the birds were still under observation. References AsH, J. S. & MISKELL, J. E. 1983. Birds of Somalia, their habitat, status and distribution. Scopus Special Supplement Number 1. WILLIAMS, J. G. & Ar ott, N. 1980. Birds of East Africa. London: Collins John Miskell, CARE-Uganda, Box 7280, Kampala, Uganda, Osman Gedow Amir, Bird Damage Prevention Project, Box 3487, Mogadishu, Somalia, Christa Schels, Kornweg 5, Mainleus, Federal Republic of Germany and Abdi Wahab Abdi Abdulle, Box 1 000, Mogadishu, Somalia. Scopus 15:58, August 1991 Received 9 May 1990 Short communications 59 Nesting association between Narrow-tailed Starlings Poeoptera lugubris and Grey-throated Barbets Gymnobucco bonapartei The Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris is a little-known tree-top species which occurs in moist tropical forest from northern Angola to western Uganda. Apparently there are no East African breeding or nest records for this species (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1960, Brown & Bnitton 1980). In West Africa, Narrow-tailed Starlings are known, however, to nest in old barbet (species not given) holes in dead trees (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1960, 1973). The Grey-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei cinereiceps inhabits forest and forest edge over much of the same range as the Narrow-tailed Starling (i.e., Angola to west- central Kenya) (Fry et al. 1988). Brown & Britton (1980) listed only five definite East African breeding records for this barbet. On 17 March 1990, the nests of the Narrow-tailed Starling and Grey-throated Barbet were found at 1585 m in the Impenetrable (Bwindi) Forest of southwestern Uganda (0° 53S—1° 8S and 29° 35E—29° S50E). The nest site was 1 km inside the forest boundary, along aheavily-used footpath. Nests were lightly shaded by the canopy. Numerous small streams flowed nearby. Musanga sp. were common at the site. The middle tree stratum was open. Herbs and shrubs formed a dense ground cover. Approximately 80 per cent of the nest tree (Musanga sp.) was dead. Its circumference was c. 1.2 m. One vertical limb was the site of nine nest holes. The circumference of that limb was c. 0.8 m at its base. All nest holes were about the same size (c. 5 cm diameter) and were probably made by barbets (as described below). All holes used by starlings faced southwest. The hole used by the barbet faced northwest. The barbet nest hole was c. 20 cm above, and c. 35 cm from the nearest active starling nest. The barbet chick(s) and adult starlings were able to see each other from their nest entrances. The barbet hole was c. 5.2 m above ground. Starling holes were between c. 5 and 8 m above ground. Because the nest limb appeared very rotten and soft, we did not attempt to climb it to examine the cavities. The starlings and barbets were nesting inacolony. When the nest site was initially found, six holes were being entered by starlings and one by barbets. Evidently, some starlings were investigating the cavities as they were flocking prior to a foraging flight. At 18:30 hrs, at least eight starlings, four barbets and six White-headed Wood Hoopoes Phoeniculus bollei Jacksoni flew from the nest site in a mixed party. They were later observed hawking insects from a tree top 300 m away. On 18 March, 1990, nests were observed for 3 h (from 09:50 —12:50 hrs). By that time, only two holes were being entered by starlings and one by barbets. All three nests contained nestlings, although they were apparently at different stages of development. Narrow-tailed Starling nests Adult starlings made frequent visits to two nests, apparently to feed young. One nest was visited more frequently (c. 8 visits h-') than the other. Nestling “begging calls” could also be heard from that nest. Chicks in the other nest were quiet. All vocalizations were tape- recorded. The “begging call’ sounded like an airy, rhythmic squeaking. This call continued throughout each parent starling’s visit to the nest. Adult starlings were heard only to utter a soft chirping note, usually given while perching. Adult starlings perched c. 5 m from the nest cavity for at least 5 s. before entering the nest. Usually, they then flew directly into the hole, without first landing on the entrance. Chicks were always fed from inside the cavity. Adults were rarely observed carrying food. Food must, therefore, have been regurgitated 60 Short communications to the young. One male exchanged food back and forth with his mate before entering the nest. He fed her a large fly, which she then regurgitated back to him. He then entered the nest for c. 3 min and fed the young while the female waited 3 m away. When she then entered the nest, he flew out. Both male and female starlings had yellow irises. Nesting females had crimps at the end of their tails. Although both sexes apparently shared their feeding chores equally at the nestling stage, crimped tails might indicate that females spend more time in the cramped nest cavities during incubation. Besides attending the nest, the starlings often perched in the.sun to preen. One female drenched herself in a small stream prior to sunbathing. Grey-throated Barbet nest On 18 March 1990, chick(s) in the barbet nest were nearly ready to fledge. At nearly all times, one chick would have its head sticking out from the hole. Unlike the adults, which had light yellowish irises, chicks had dark eyes surrounded by a flesh-coloured eye-ring. Feather tufts above the nostrils were about half grown. The bill-tip was black. The barbet nest was attended by at least three adults (i.e., there were helpers at the nest). Adults visited the nest almost constantly, carrying food in their bill-tips. Just as one bird finished feeding, another arrived. Chick(s) gaped quietly at approaching adults, then emitted a chirr vocalization while being fed. Usually, barbets perched 1-5 m from the nest for at least 10 s before flying to the nest hole. Most food was given while the adult barbet clung vertically to the outside of the nest hole. Sometimes, barbets entered the nest and remained there for several minutes before leaving. Items fed included beetles, crickets, stick insects, dragonflies and fruits. Between feedings, the chicks scanned their surroundings to look at passing monkeys, squirrels and birds. One barbet chick stretched its neck around to see the starling perched in the adjacent nest entrance. Relationship between the two species Although there was some chasing and aggression among the barbets, there was no obvious interaction between barbets and starlings at nest sites. The relationship between the two species seems mutually beneficial. As in West Africa, Narrow-tailed Starlings in Uganda apparently favour nest cavities created by barbet species. We watched barbets make holes, like those used by starlings, in nearby trees. The barbets clung vertically to the side of adead tree, and pecked forcefully with the bill in the same manner as that of a woodpecker. The rocking movement of the body, and pecking sounds were also like those of a woodpecker. All holes made by barbets were in dead, soft wood. Two of three trees were Musanga sp. All three trees were c. 0.5— 0.8 m in circumference at hole height. All holes were 5—9 m above ground. The direction holes faced were varied. One of us (JK) has also observed these two species nesting together in dead trees in Kibale Forest (0° 13-0° 41N and 30° 19-30° 32E; 1350 m). Barbet and starling nest Cavities were sometimes located in Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill Bycanistes subcylindricus nest trees. All three of these bird species require trees with rotten wood or cavities for nesting. Besides the obvious necessity of sharing limited suitable nesting sites, starlings and barbets might obtain some benefit from colonial nesting. The birds congregate in mixed flocks to forage. Larger flocks may serve as an information centre for locating new sources Short communications 61 of food, particularly fruit. By foraging in flocks and nesting together, starlings and barbets may enhance predator detection. Acknowledgements Our field work was supported by USAID, WWF, and CARE. We thank the Uganda Forest Department and Game Department for permission to work in the Impenetrable Forest. The Impenetrable Forest Conservation Project provided logistical support. Tom Butynski commented on the manuscript. References Brown, L.H. & Britton, P.L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds. Nairobi: EANHS. Fry, C.H., Ket, S. AND URBAN, E.K. 1988. The birds of Africa Vol. 3. London: Academic Press. MACWORTH-PRAED, C. W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1960. African handbook of birds. Series I, vol. 2. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. London: Longmans Green & Co. MACWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1973. African handbook of birds. Series III, vol. 2. Birds of west central and western Africa. London: Longman. Dr Jonathan Baranga and Dr Jan Kalina. Development Through Conservation Project, CARE Uganda, P.O. Box 7280, Kampala, Uganda Scopus 15: 59-61, August 1991 Received 9 May 1990 Association between the Red-throated Alethe Alethe poliophrys and the Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis The Red-throated Alethe Alethe poliophrys and Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis are little-known species which occur in the dense forest undergrowth of tropical moist forests. These species are sympatric in parts of eastern Zaire and western Uganda. Because of the akalat’s secretive habits, the nest for this species was not discovered until recently (Kalina & Butynski 1989). Apparently, there are no breeding or nest records for the Red- throated Alethe (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1960, 1973, Brown & Britton 1980). On 18 March 1990, the nest and eggs of the alethe and akalat were found at 1585 min the Impenetrable (Bwindi) Forest of southwestern Uganda (0° 53S — 1° 08S and 29° 35E- 29° SOE). The nests were located only 16cm from each other. They were sunken into clefts on either side of a short tree buttress (probably Nesogordonia kabingaensis). The alethe nest was 105 cm above ground, 15 cm higher than the akalat nest. Nest tree circumference was approximately 2 m. The tree trunk was entirely covered in moss, which also served to form the cups of both nests. In this way, the nests were well concealed. The nest site was shady, but not dark. The area had very dense undergrowth to the height of about 1.5 m, a sparse middle-story, and approximately a 50 per cent closed canopy. The alethe nest was cup-shaped with the inside measuring 7 x 6 cm across, and 4.5 cm deep. It was comprised entirely of green moss, and lined with dry, brown moss stems. The nest contained two eggs, both a dark shade of Paris Green colour 63 (Smithe 1975), with hints of brown speckling near the larger end. Both eggs were 25 x 18 mm and were warm. 62 Short communications The akalat nest was also cup-shaped and made of the same materials as that of the alethe (green moss, with dry moss stems lining the inside). The inside of the cup measured 5.5 x 4.9 cm and was 4.0 cm deep. Although the materials were the same as those of the first Equatorial Akalat nest found by Kalina & Butynski (1989), dimensions for this nest were narrower and deeper than of the other one (which was 7 cm in diameter; 2 cm deep). The two eggs were different from each other in appearance, and from those recorded by Kalina & Butynski (1989). In the 1989 nest, the eggs were pale brownish-grey overlain with heavy purplish-brown blotches concentrated at the large end. In this nest, one egg measuring 21.5 x 15.0 mm was arich shade of Flesh Ocher colour 132 D (Smithe 1975) on the large end, blending to off-white on the other end. The second egg measured 23.5 x 16.0 mm. It was entirely rich Flesh Ocher colour 132 D, but with a darker ring of the same colour around the large end. | The 1989 akalat nest was found at a higher elevation (2150 m) in the Impenetrable Forest during January. Both akalat nest records were made during a rainy season. We observed the alethe and akalat at their nests. On 18 March, 1990, the akalat was seen incubating. The bird remained motionless on the nest, even as we slowly approached to a distance of less than 1 m. It did not fly away as we left the area. While perched on the nest, the akalat’s greyish head and orange underparts were visible. Early the next day, we watched the alethe move about in the undergrowth around the nest site. Itrepeatedly gave amonosyllabic tooo whistle. After approximately 5 min, it flew from the ground to its nest. Like the akalat, an alethe on its nest has a greyish head and orange throat. When sitting perfectly still, these two orangey-greyish birds on the tree trunk might easily be confused for some colourful fungi or bare patches of wood. The disruptive colour pattern formed by the two birds in proximity may help prevent their being discovered by a predator. Acknowledgements We thank Ignacius Achoka for finding the nests, Tony Katende for identifying the nest tree, and Tom Butynski for commenting on the manuscript. Our field work was supported by USAID, WWF, and CARE. We thank the Ugandan Forest Department and Game Department for permission to work in the Impenetrable Forest. The Impenetrable Forest Conservation Project provided logistic support. References Brown, L.H. & Britton, P.L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds. Nairobi: EANHS. Ka.ina, J. & Burynski, T.M. 1989. First nest record for the Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis. Scopus 13: 132-133. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C. W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1960. African handbook of birds. Series I, vol 2. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. London: Longmans Green & Co. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1973. African handbook of birds. Series III, vol 2. Birds of west central and western Africa. London: Longman. SMITHE, F.B. 1975. Naturalist’s color guide. New York: The American Museum of Natural History. Dr Jan Kalina and Dr Jonathan Baranga. Development Through Conservation Project. CARE Uganda, Box 7280, Kampala, Uganda Scopus 15: 61-62, August 1991 Received 10 April 1990 Short communications 63 Vocalizations of the Somali Wheatear Oenanthe phillipsi According to Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1960 & 1980) no vocalizations have yet been reported for the Somali Wheatear Oenanthe phillipsi. On 11 January 1984 while observing this species in Acacia-Commiphora bush near Beled Weyne, Somalia, two different sounds were heard. The first call was a low, drawn-out whistle of one note. This sound was uttered repeatedly by one bird while in a bush accompanied another of the same species, which was silent throughout. The second call was a buzzing sound, noted as buzzzz buzz, made by a single bird which repeatedly flicked its wings while calling. The second bird was not seen at this time. Hollom et al (1988) report single note calls, or alarm-calls, for a number of Oenanthe species, with the “soft whistle” of O. deserti possibly being the closest to the first call heard for O. phillipsi. But as far as I know, no Oenanthe species has been reported to make a buzzing sound accompanied by wing-flicking. References HoLLom,P.A.D., PoRTER,R.F., CHRISTENSEN,S.& WILLIS, I. 1988. Birds of Middle East and North Africa. Calton: T.& A.D.Poyser. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1960. African handbook of birds. Series I, vol2.Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. London: Longmans Green & Co. John Miskell, CARE-Uganda, Box 7280, Kampala, Uganda Scopus 15: 63, August 1991 Received 9 May 1990 Golden Weaver Ploceus subaureus—new for Somalia The Golden Weaver Ploceus subaureus has been recorded from Kenya and Tanzania, but has not previously been reported from Somalia. On 6 November 1987, a weaver was observed by CS in the Balcad Nature Reserve, which is situated some 30 km north of Mogadishu at 2°20N, 45°23E. The bird was giving finishing touches to a fresh green nest and at the same time starting the construction of a new one right next to it. The nesting site was located on the south bank of the Shabeelle river, with the structure suspended from a branch of a bush overhanging the water. The nest was pear-shaped and woven from grass blades, with the opening at the bottom without an entrance tube. Field identification was difficult, but the pale red eye could be clearly seen. The bird also exhibited a strong black bill, pink feet, and diffuse chestnut patches on forehead, throat and chest; the underparts were yellow with some white in the centre of the belly. The crown appeared to be olive- green with the sides of the face yellowish, which distinguished it from the Golden Palm Weaver Ploceus bojeri with its characteristic orange head and throat, and dark browneyes. Thus the bird was tentatively identified as Ploceus subaureus, and several colour slides taken. Subsequent comparison by JM of the photographs with skins in the collection of the National Museum, Nairobi, confirmed that the weaver in question was Ploceus subaureus not P. bojeri, the only golden weaver that had previously been found in Somalia. The slides were compared with the skins of an adult male P. bojeri from Mogadishu,Somalia, and that of a male of P. subaureus, in full breeding plumage, from Kilifi, 65 km north of Mombasa, Kenya, as well as with those of other golden weaver species from eastern Africa. The pale red-brown iris, together with the chestnut forehead, throat and chest were seen to be 64 Short communications diagnostic for P. subaureus. This species should, therefore, be added to the list of the birds of Somalia published by Ash & Miskell (1983). References ) ! ASH, J.S. & MISKELL, J.E. 1983. Birds of Somalia, their habitat, status and distribution. Scopus Special Supplement Number 1. WILLIAMS, J.G. & Ar Lott, N. 1980. Birds of East Africa. London:Collins. Christa Schels, Kornweg 5, 8653 Mainleus, Federal Republic of Germany and John Miskell, CARE-Uganda, Box 7280, Kampala, Uganda Scopus 15: 63-64, August 1991 Received 9 May 1990 Courtship feeding in Yellow-rumped Tinker-birds Pogoniulus bilineatus Although the breeding biology of some tinker-birds (Capitonidae, genus Pogoniulus) is fairly well known (Short & Horne 1988), their courtship behaviour does not seem to have been described. At 08:35 on 10 September 1989 at the edge of stunted hillside forest in North Kinangop, Kenya (36° 28E, 0° 38S) I heard a Yellow-rumped Tinker-bird Pogoniulus bilineatus calling loudly. It responded immediately to a whistled imitation by flying down to within a few metres of me, then flew off some 10 m and called again. This time it was answered faintly from a small tree nearby. It flew there directly and in a flurry of wings mounted a female that was perched there and copulated briefly. The male then flew off but returned in a few minutes. Holding a regurgitated berry in his beak, he copulated once again then flew to a twig just above the female, leaned down to her and fed her the berry, which was about 1 cm long, oval in shape and bright red in colour. In quick succession he fed her four more identical berries, regurgitating them one after the other. The female was passive except for lifting her head to accept the berries. The male flew off again, but shortly returned and fed the female 13 berries in succession, this time without copulating. After another brief absence he returned and fed six more berries. The seventh berry was repeatedly offered but the female refused to take it. Eventually the male came and perched next to her, puffed out his throat, leaned towards her and offered the berry again; this time it was accepted, but an eighth was steadfastly refused. The male flew away and the female sat quietly mandibulating one berry after another; now and again she would bend down and deposit a sticky whitish seed on the branch where she sat. After some time she flew to a lower branch in denser vegetation. At 08:55 the male returned, flew directly to the female and copulated once more, then sat by her and fed her eight more berries before leaving. At 09:00 the female was still sitting quietly. In 25 min she had been fed 32 berries and had copulated with her mate three times. Reference Sort, L.L. & Horne, J.F.M. 1988. Capitonidae, barbets and tinkerbirds. Pp. 413-485 in Fry, C.H., Keitu, S. & URBAN, E.K. (Eps) The Birds of Africa, vol. 111. London: Academic Press. Dr L. A. Bennun, Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Box 40658, Nairobi, Kenya Scopus 15: 64, August 1991 Received 22 January 1990 Notes for Contributors, Cont. comma, not ‘23rd’]; names of birds: Cape Rook Corvus capensis [no comma, no pa- rentheses]; in the list of references at the end of a paper or short communication: names of journals: to be given in full; books: after author(s) and title give the town followed by the publisher. Two copies of each contribution, which will be acknowledged, should be supplied, typed in double spacing on one side of the paper only, with wide margins all round. Clear hand-written MSS will also be considered. Both English and scientific names of birds should be given when the species is first mentioned, thereafter only one name should be used. The names should be those of a stated work and any deviations from _this work should be noted and the reasons given. Metric units should be used. Contributions on floppy disk are welcomed, but please send two hard copies as well; 3.5-inch disks are preferred but 5.25-inch can be handled. Scopus is produced on an Apple Macintosh but MS.DOS disks are quite acceptable. Please do not type any- thing in ALL CAPS unless the combination always occurs in that form (e.g., ‘USA’). Original black and white photographs and line illustrations should not be larger than A4 (210 x 297 mm). Line illustrations should be on good quality white paper or board, or on tracing material; lettering should be of professional quality or marked lightly in pencil. Authors of ‘papers’ receive three copies of their contribution free of charge. Extra copies, which will be charged at cost, must be ordered when the MS is accepted. All contributions should be sent to the Editor, G. C. Backhurst, Box 24702, Nairobi, Kenya. East African Bird Report This normally forms the third issue of Scopus each year. Records from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are welcomed. Please send them as soon as you can to D. A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi. Records of rare birds are assessed by the internationally-based East African Rarities Committee. If you see a rare bird, it may help to telephone one of the OSC members so that someone else can see the bird. Ringing Scheme of eastern Africa This covers several countries in eastern Africa. Qualified and aspiring ringers should contact the ringing organizer, Box 24702, Nairobi for more information. E. A. N. H. S. Nest Record Scheme Details of most kinds of breeding activity are required by the scheme. Nest record cards may be obtained free of charge from the organizer, Dr Leon A. Bennun, Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Box 40658, Nairobi. ICAMREF 18 Scopus 15 (1), August 1991 Contents CoLIN RYALL. Avifauna of Nguuni near Mombasa, Kenya, between September 1984 and October 1987F Part —Afrotropical SPeCieS 2225......5cceccessvesse cossescaeahereuseSacctnstoe hee eee ee ne 1 J. S. AsH, M. A. C. CovERDALE AND T. M. GuLtick. Comments on status and distribution of birds in western Uganda: i.0c.2 Ate ie meccara ae nce scree csbagasdentsscesdacagels des restored eee 24 PER OLE SYVERTSEN AND YILMA DELLELEGN The status of some bird species endemic to south Ethiopia Sp doedgaiesnaebe Mons gare ehedss eag MM tetaana aces adeece tees ceteae saves schese senior taaeee cece sath Re er 30 Upo M. SavALLI. New birds from Kakamega, Western Kenya, including new breeding records.....35 Short communications J. S. Asu. Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi migration in Uganda.............cccccccssccessseceessceeesseensees 42 D. A. TURNER, D. A. ZIMMERMAN AND D. J. PEARSON. Two previously undocumented first records for FE MY od shcbscssvedecuncuvencchetecuudaens ide decsacetend ootich vas oth deuddewegedband scolae.sealges sea eeee Ree eee 44 D. J. PEARSON. Smith’s Francolin Francolinus levaillantoides and other distributional records from the Hurt Hills, mortherm Kenya ...:0ss.1.cagcesdgiesccsoose cconscaesut ces sath ana stetduade geen eee ee 44 SusaNNE AKESSON. Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius feeding on Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustis:in Tsavoy Kemy a §..2022.)0y0...2osseg oc adnel cece ounees sececsuucesccnvaqaecee Sete dake eee eee 46 JOHN H. FANSHAWE AND CLARE D. FiTzGIBBon. Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus breaks open tree hole tO'aId PFEY CAPtUT! .......eccdsesccuetesesedanconsedeoscches seunstiele dassate’ vues endeeseeeausceeeeet: eee 47 D. A. TURNER AND M. A. C. COVERDALE. New birds from Kenya’s northern border area.................. 48 M. A. C. COVERDALE, A. L. ARCHER AND D. J. PEARSON. Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs in northern Kenya w Stlrgesicunsccbltined «aveateann st Wish seeded es be amen dusesassic os Mic sestesea cia coteae Revues sO CaacecRaSatee eaten rr 50 S. Daves. Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae in the Matumbi Hills, Tanzania .................:see 50 N: E. BAKER. Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae im Tanzania .....2°.:-..22-.-.--.--1 ss ee 5) D. A. TURNER. The genus Agaporni’s in East Afmicat....21...2..6..0.00cc0sso8exocsnses socteaees onset eee ee 52 JAN KALINA AND JONATHAN BARANGA. First East African nest record for the Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma WELTALUIN a. 5000s Pep sandads gels Mens thetaae lian Baawabuwe cee < Heobalpgde tence tastes eRe AAC eee 54 J.S: Asn. Palacarctic migrant:birds caughtan spiders’ webS..:..02:-c.01c-..certecse eee eee 55 N. D. Burcgss, C. J. Cutts AND M. HuxHam. New records of the Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis from Kiono Forest Reserve, Bagamoyo District, northeastern Tanzania ..........ccccccecsessececeenseneeeenaces 56 CHARLES MLINGWa. Further records of the Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis from Tanzania ............. 57 JouN MISKELL, OSMAN GEDOW AMIR, CHRISTA SCHELS, AND ABDI WAHAB ABDI ABDULLE. The African Sand Martin Riparia paludicola: néw for Somalia .rs.:...s..cct2-csececeecece.co-c0n8-scaeeqaeceeee ee ae 58 JONATHAN BARANGA AND JAN KALINA. Nesting association between Narrow-tailed Starlings Poeoptera lugubris and Grey-throated Barbets Gymnobucco DONAPArtel .....0....:ccececetetete cette tne eeteeeeneees 59 JAN KALINA AND JONATHAN BARANGA. Association between the Red-throated Alethe Alethe poliophrys and the Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis, ....-s:...sdeee ees 0 2-20 61 JouN MIsKELL. Vocalizations of the Somali Wheatear Oenanthe phillipSi .........0cccccccceteeeeteeeerteetees 63 CHRISTA SCHELS AND JOHN MISKELL. Golden Weaver Ploceus subaureus—new for Somalia ............ 63 L. A. BENNUN. Courtship feeding in Yellow-rumped Tinker-birds Pogoniulus bilineatus................ 64 FET AGA Acs yadawtee ves oases Wonca ont ants csvcaade anges carapas'd stew acs uassenomtoWasans uc agies de eee enecaeetemeteneete jcctvigeteeess 29 Notice:#Africanm) Grane and Wetland, Workshop «...:-5....csscce et oeceess0- NP Yellow Wagtail OW Red-backed Shrike OW NP most records on southern passage OW overwintering OW < NP wintering population incremented by N passage birds and Apr 1986 (Appendix) may have represented one bird which remained in the area. A sighting of a Palaearctic race Short-toed Eagle is also noteworthy as it was only previously known from the north in Kenya. In view of the large numbers of Palaearctic waders wintering along the coastline, 5 km away, they were poorly represented at Nguuni and even those species which did occur there—Wood and Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and Little Stint—were in small numbers. Suitable habitat was very restricted as the nine dammed ponds in the study area were small and deep with few mud banks and shallows for wader feeding. In addition, they were somewhat enclosed by fringing Typha, Cyperus or nearby scrub which most favoured Common and Wood Sandpipers. The shale quarry pond was shallow and in an open location but the ample mud banks, derived from eroded shale Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 89 and murram, contained few invertebrates (pers. obs.). Nevertheless, this pool yielded most of the wader records. Species characteristic of tidal mud flats such as sandplovers, Grey Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Sanderling, Whimbrel, Marsh Sandpiper were rare or absent during this survey. P. B. Taylor (pers. comm.) recorded more of these species at Nguuni during 1980-81, perhaps reflecting the higher rainfall and more extensive flooding, as well as less human disturbance, at that time. The absence of Little Stint and Green Sandpiper from Jan to May 1986 coincided with a disappearance of Afrotropical wetland species such as Long-tailed Cormorant, Woolly-necked Stork and Pied Kingfisher (see Part I) and was probably due to the combined effects of drought and increased human disturbance. As noted by Britton (1980), oversummering juvenile Greenshanks were not uncommon both at Nguuni and the adjacent coast. Common Sandpipers were also recorded throughout the Palaearctic summer except for June. Some non aquatic Palaearctic species—Spotted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Eurasian Swallow and Yellow Wagtail—sometimes outnumbered resident species at Nguuni. Eurasian Swallows and Yellow Wagtails formed roosts, sometimes in their thousands, in stands of Typha prior to northern passage. Macworth-Praed & Grant (1960) referred to similar congregations in these species during spring migration. Northern Wheatears always outnumbered Isabelline Wheatears and inhabited areas with scattered trees as well as the open dry areas favoured by the latter. Lack (1985) found a similar habitat separation in these species in Tsavo East National Park. The overgrazed and dusty sheep paddocks shaded by large Acacias were favoured by Northern Wheatears, Rock Thrushes and Red-backed Shrikes; Yellow Wagtails fed there, particularly after rain. Situated on a low hill, the dense canopies of these Acacias attracted Olive-tree and Olivaceous Warblers in Mar—early May, Olivaceous sometimes in large numbers. Rock Thrushes were most numerous in Jan—Mar compared with Dec— Jan in Tsavo East (Lack 1985). Though Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris occur on passage, and small numbers overwinter in southeastern Kenya (Pearson 1982), it was not detected at Nguuni, despite apparently suitable habitat. Red-backed Shrikes were much more common than Red-tailed and, though both species wintered in small numbers in bushed grassland, there was marked incrementation of Red-backed during northern passage. Eurasian Rollers, Eurastan Bee- eaters and Lesser Grey Shrikes sometimes reached large numbers during northern passage in Tsavo and the Shimba Hills (pers. obs.) but were scarce at Nguuni and elsewhere on the coastal lowlands. Acknowledgements Iam very grateful to Carol Reid and Marlene Reid who assisted on many survey trips, to R. McVicker and P. B. Taylor for relating their knowledge of the avifauna of the area, and to R. Haller who, on behalf of Bamburi Portland Cement, gave clearance to carry Out the work on the Nguuni Property and also provided rainfall data. Bibliography Britton, P.L. (Ep). 1980. Birds of East Africa: their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EAHNS. Lack, P. 1985. The ecology of the land-birds of Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. Scopus 9: 2-23, 57-96. 90 Colin Ryall Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdatn: Balkena. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & Grant, C.H.B. 1960. Birds of Eastern and North Eastern Africa. Vol II. London: Longmans Green & Co. PEARSON, D.J. 1982. The migration and wintering of Palaearctic Acrocephalus warblers in Kenya and Uganda. Scopus 6: 49-59. Dr Colin Ryall, SET, Farnborough College, Boundary Road, Farnborough, Hants GU14 6SB, England Scopus 15: 84-92, April 1992 Received 9 Sepember 1991 Appendix Months of occurence of Palearctic species at the study site, expressed as the percentage of the six sample sectors in which each species was present (0 = none; + = 1—33 per cent; ++ = 3466 per cent; +++ = 67-100 per cent). Those recorded in less than 32 and 5 or less survey months are omitted (data for these are in the text). n e) species year tee FaveM niAsijeMb agate Inna N D Eur Marsh Harrier 1984 Oo Oo 1985 o Oise? O Onp1O1F O19 0 + Oo 1986 o + + 40 OepO 4.0: *10 o Oo 1987 o o + fe) Onn sOrsiond? oO Common Buzzard 1984 1985 + 0 oO fe) oF Oo > O60 1986 + + + + oo “oO Oo 1987 o o + oO Oo 40°80" "0 Common Sandpiper 1984 1985 ++ + + + ++ 0 0/0 1986 + + + + O° Oe ok 1987 + ++ + ++ + 0 Oo + Wood Sandpiper 1984 1985 + ++ + oO ++ 0 OO + 1986 ++ ++ ++ ++ + 0 0 O 1987 + ++ + ++ 0 0 0 + Greenshank 1984 1985 + ++ 0 (e) Saad © japcab cane LO8G AE eee ee a eee OO ORT er a eect o o + + Green Sandpiper 1984 1985..1.0% 0% - tea + 0 OO 0O 1986 0 oO oO + Oe OHO. 70 1987.0. Ox:. “O (0) OO Ord iO +O9000 00+ 0 + fo) + + + + + ++ ++ GOO + O47. +O + + tot tat CLO O10 0 0.0 © + + + species M A M Little Stint Eurasian Roller Eurasian Swallow Golden Oriole Rufous Bush Chat Nightingale Rock Thrush Isabelline Wheatear Northern Wheatear Olive-tree Warbler Olivaceous Warbler year 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 1984 1985 1986 1987 Avifauna of Nguuni, Mombasa 18 + Coron et ee 0. 0, . 40 GC. 0.50 On O45 O Gi gO (GC G4 Or{0 ++ ++ + Oe “tO i tO. | 4.0 Tae CO fae te tO Oo Acts 10 th 604: ta tik: ind 108! +2) On PO Olt 1G 1h"_O 4.4 +O «10 + 0 © +, +O O4.200" fs +# 02 "0 On OF 0 o mow O + + Oo at sO O; fins KAO Sf ttaOinttnO tr On4* iO L100 OL) 0 Paik CO ~ O60) 6) 10) 16) 40 sO sO O16) OO) © + mOnn ©) CO) (On0) OF} OO © (©) © O71 1C! OC) OO (OO +O, 0 OOO OO) (Oxo e) +O. 6) OF ete) koto nO © +15O uO) OF © uOrOMmO 6) © OF 0 © © © © O10 +e +O +--+ +e 0) OnOmO = -- OO) “at 91 92 Colin Ryall species year J Bee Mb AN eM Jo RecA SO) 5 Nee Spotted Flycatcher 1984 . oO + + + 1985 + ++ + + 0 0 oO Oo o + ++ + 19860 FO tt to EO) 68 OO 4 Ont me 1987 ++ ++ ++ + Oo. oO OO o + Red-throated Pipit 1984 o Oo + Oo 1985". O” i Oly - Oe, O OO. Ono Oo + + Oo 1986 o Oo a 20 0 0 oO oO o Oo + Oo 1987 o Oo oO (0) © 0 5:0), 40 o + Yellow Wagtail 1984 Oo. 0 + + 1985 4° ++ + O°. 0) 8: (OO) Oe 1986 + + + ++ 0 0 0 O08 O ++ ++ +++ 1987 ++++ ++ Oo Oo» 0. OF One Ole ghO Red-backed Shrike 1984 o 80—O OF oe 1985 + ++ 0 to 'O) (OF OF. MO o oO + Oo 1986 o + + + oO" O_O Oo 0 + Oo LOSH) Se Rn ae ice 0.40." oO Fo o + Red-tailed Shrike 1984 o 80O oe) 1985 + + Oo oO o-oo oO Oo o Oo + oOo 1986 o o “4 ‘io oO 0 OC” 6 (0) + + + 1987 + + + Oo oO .°O 6 o Oo Addenda There were the following mistakes in Part I of Dr Ryall’s paper (Scopus 15: 1-23): p. 6: the account of Harlequin Quail should not have been run on under Pygmy Falcon. p. 6, between Spur-winged Plover and Spotted Thicknee, insert: Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta sightings of single juveniles by ponds in early and mid-Dec probably refer to the same bird. Appendix A, pp. 17-19: All the 1984 records for Little Grebe to Didric Cuckoo should be in the columns September to December, i.e. all the symbols printed for these 30 species should be moved to the right by varying amounts. Birds on the Comoro Islands, April 1990 93 Birds on the Comoro Islands, April 1990 Roger J. Safford and Michael I. Evans Following the pioneering work of Benson (1960), the Comorian avifauna has been intensively studied by Belgian zoological expeditions (Louette 1988). Following fieldwork in Madagascar and Mauritius, we decided to visit the Comoro Islands to compare their fauna and flora, particularly by looking at various bird genera with western Indian Ocean radiations (e.g., Zosterops, Foudia, Hypsipetes). We spent a total of 24 days on the Comoros, visiting all four islands. Our observations on the natural forest habitats visited, together with mammal and reptile observations, may be found in Evans & Safford (1991). Itinerary (all dates in April 1990) 2-7 Moroni, Grande Comore and adjacent plantations. RJS arrived (from Maun- tius) on 2 Apnl; MIE (from Madagascar) on 5 Apmil. 8 Lift from Moroni to Boboni; walk up to La Convalescence. 9 La Convalescence to summit of Mont Karthala and back. 10 Forest around La Convalescence. 11 Forest around La Convalescence, then to Kourani via summit of Mt Karthala. 12 Around Kourani. Taxi-brousse to Moroni. 13 Moroni. 14 Boat to Moheli (Fomboni), 1230-1930 hrs. 15 Fomboni up to forested mountain ridge inland and back; then Fomboni beach and boat to Anjouan (Mutsamudu), 1 800—2330 hrs. 16 Mutsamudu; taxi-brousse to Dindi; walk up to Lac Dzialandze. 17-18 Lac Dzialandze. 19 Lac Dzialandze to Dindi. Taxi-brousse to Mutsamudu. Boat to Mayotte (Dzaoudzi), 2230-0800 hrs. 20 Dzaoudzi and Mamoudzou. | Taxi-brousse Mamoudzou—Combani. Combani/Pic Combani area. 22, Pamandzi Lagoon. 23 Mamoudzou. 24 Walk from Dzaoudzi to Moya beach area and back. 25 Dzaoudzi to Pamandzi airport. Flew to Majunga (Madagascar). Systematic list Records were thought to be worth including after perusal of Louette (1988), whose taxonomy and nomenclature are generally followed; however, in English names, we consistently use ‘Comoro’ instead of ‘Comores’ (e.g., blue pigoen Alectroenas sganzini) and Malagasy instead of Madagascar for species not endemic to that island (e.g., paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone mutata). 94 Roger J. Safford and Michael I. Evans * = all records given GC = Grande Comore (Ngazidja) Mo = Moheli (Mwali) An = Anjouan (Ndzuani) Ma = Mayotte (Maore) Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe* An: at least 3 adults in breeding plumage, one with two well-grown juveniles, Lac Dzialandze, 16-18 April. Puffinus lherminieri Audubon’s Shearwater* Sea: 7 on the approaches to Mo after 1600 hrs on 14 April, all heading for Mo in ones and twos. Phaethon lepturus White-tailed Tropicbird* GC: 3.offshore S of Moroni, 14 April. Ma: at least 6 off Moya beach; several heading inland c. 1 km S of Nea 24 April. Fregata minor Greater Frigatebird* GC: c. 6 off Moroni, 14 April, with F. ariel. Fregata ariel Lesser Frigatebird* GC: c. 12 off Moroni, 14 PED with F. minor. Fregata sp. Frigatebird sp.* Sea: 18 between GC and Mo on 14 April, including a group of 10 harrying a flock of Sooty Terns Sterna fuscata (q.v.). Egretta alba Great Egret* Mo: one flying along coast at Fomboni, 15 April. Ardea cinerea Grey Heron* Ma: 4 in Pamandzi lagoon, 22 April, and 1 at Moya beach, 24 Apnil. Ardea humbloti Madagascar Heron* Ma: an adult foraging in shallow water on the flat sand and coral-rock substrate in the small bay S of Moya beach, 24 Apmil. It stalked about in a very animated fashion, often with the neck stretched up and bill and tail held horizontal, giving a curious goose-like shape, occasionally poising, half-crouched, before stabbing at a prey item. After pacing slowly about for several minutes, it flew forward 1—2 m and stabbed a sea snake or moray eel. The prey was 60—70 cm long, thickset and blunt at both ends, with little tapering, pale mustard yellow with many (15-20?) black dorso-ventral stripes or rings; the description suggests Echidna zebra, a distinctive moray eel (Muraenidae) of reef and coral, not uncommon in the western Indian Ocean (Bock 1978). The heron spent 4— 5 min subduing its prey by squeezing, dropping and jabbing, concentrating on the head region, before swallowing it. The bird then rested immobile for 10-15 min before it was scared off by children. Milvus migrans Black Kite* An: one at Mutsamudu, 16 April. Circus maillardi Malagasy Harrier* GC: one gliding at treetop height or soaring higher over primary forest and the clearing at La Convalescence, 11 April. Mo: one sailing about on updraughts above primary rainforest inland from Fomboni; Birds on the Comoro Islands, April 1990 95 another over cultivation at Fomboni, 15 April. An: one hunting over cropland near Dindi, 19 April. Falco eleonorae Eleonora’s Falcon* GC: one at c. 1000 m between Boboni and La Convalescence, 8 April. Louette (1988) mentions only 2 recent records, both in November. Coturnix coturnix Common Quail* GC: 5 (including 3 calling) between 2000 and 2300 m, including birds in stunted, sparse Philippia heath, otherwise almost devoid of birds, 11 April. Gallinula chloropus Moorhen An: none seen at Lac Dzialandze (or anywhere else); Benson (1960) saw 11 here in October 1958 but Louette (1988) found none in October 1983. Dromas ardeola Crab Plover* Ma: an immature in Pamandzi lagoon, 22 April. Charadrius marginatus White-fronted Sandplover* Ma: 2, probably a pair, watched closely (photographed), Pamandzi lagoon, 22 April. Louette (1988) gives 2 previous records for the archipelago, both on Ma. Sterna fuscata Sooty Tern* Sea: a loose, linear flock of 240 in open sea midway between GC and Mo, 14 April; they were fishing for fry which were also being harried by a school of larger fish. Sterna bengalensis Lesser Crested Tern* GC: 4 or 5 roosting groups totalling c. 300 on shore just S of Moroni, 14 April. Previously only small numbers recorded, in July, August and October (Louette 1988). |p’ Mo: 3 at Fomboni beach, 15 April. Louette mentions only one sighting, in November. Ma: 20 seen from ferry between Dzaoudzi and Mamoudzou, 20 April, plus 100 unidentified terns, probably this species. A roost of c. 2500 non-breeding-plumaged birds (some in tail moult) in Pamandzi lagoon on 22 April is the largest group so far recorded for the archipelago; the previous largest group (600, considered to be a pre- breeding flock) was also on Ma in April (Louette 1988). Columba polleni Comoro Pigeon* GC: a single and a pair at La Convalescence, 8—9 April; one in woodland near Kourani, 12 April. Streptopelia capicola Ring-necked Dove Ma: at least 30 flew W to E across Pamandzi lagoon on afternoon of 22 April. Streptopelia picturata Malagasy Turtle Dove GC/Mo/An/Ma: song was frequent in suitable habitat on all four islands, especially around La Convalescence (GC) and Lac Dzialandze (An). Turtur tympanistria Tambourine Dove Ma: song, Combani, 21 April. Alectroenas sganzini Comoro Blue Pigeon GC/An: song commonly heard (a deep, throaty, cooing hrrowr, rather ‘strained’; usually 3—5 coos per phrase, at a rate of 1 coo per 1-2 s), La Convalescence (GC) and Lac Dzialandze (An). Many were in pairs. Courtship behaviour included display flights (flapping upwards then swooping down with wings outstretched) and a bowing display; both were typically columbid behaviour although the bowing display was particularly 96 Roger J. Safford and Michael I. Evans animated, as the birds shivered their long, lanceolate neck feathers. One sunned its underwing in a treetop. Coracopsis nigra Lesser Vasa Parrot GC: one in forest at La Convalescence clambered about one tree for 5 min feeding on leaves, nipping the edges of some, plucking others to hold in the feet to be partly eaten and dropped. Tyto alba Barn Owl* An: one calling at 00:30 hrs in Mutsamudu, 16 April. Otus pauliani Karthala Scops Owl* GC: at least 5 heard calling from forest during nights of 8 and 9 April at La Convalescence; calling started at 18:15 and 18:24 hrs respectively, at or soon after sunset. Zoonavena grandidieri Malagasy Spine-tailed Swift* GC: up to30 at La Convalescence, with much chasing and calling (a ticking trill), 8-11 Apmil; one over Philippia zone, 11 April. Cypsiurus parvus African Palm Swift GC: unusually high records (cf. Louette 1988) were individuals (seen well) at La Convalescence (1700 m) on 8 and 11 Apmil, and one above there at 2000 m in the Philippia zone on 9 April; both localities were without palms. Apus barbatus African Black Swift* GC: one over Mont Karthala crater, 11 April. Corythornis vintsioides Malagasy Kingfisher Ma: a pair on beach S of Moya beach and a pair on the ferry ramp, Dzaoudzi, on 24 April; not before recorded on Pamandzi (Louette 1988). On both occasions birds were perching and fishing from flat rocks at the shoreline. Eurystomus glaucurus Broad-billed Roller* An: one sallying from a dead tree for c. 20 min on mim of crater at Lac Dzialandze, 18 April; a rare migrant in the archipelago and this is the first outside October-November (Louette 1988). Leptosomus discolor Cuckoo-roller An: 2 heard in Lac Dzialandze/Dindi area (none in crater), 17-19 April. Coracina cinerea Ashy Cuckoo-shrike* GC: one in forest at La Convalascence, 10 April. A flock of 6, including one of the green phenotype and one in post-juvenile moult, loosely associating with Hypsipetes madagascariensis, Terpsiphone mutata, Zosterops maderaspatanus and perhaps Foudia eminentissima in woodland near Kourani, 12 April. The immature had pale fringing on the upperparts and wings producing wingbars, darker head and a few sparse breast streaks on a whitish background (similar to the immatures described by Cheke & Diamond (1986) in February 1975). The call was noticeably different from Madagascan birds (pers. obs.), but with the same ‘structure’: much less explosive, and quieter. Hypsipetes madagascariensis Malagasy Bulbul Hypsipetes parvirostris Comoro Bulbul GC/Mo: good numbers of both species were seen, especially on GC, with the Plein! habitat segregation. We could not always distinguish them on plumage: the greener upperparts of parvirostris are apparent when skins of the two are compared, but on lone Birds on the Comoro Islands, April 1990 97 birds in the field the yellow-washed underparts were the best distinction. Louette & Herremens (1985) showed that in the western Indian Ocean the green Hypsipetes bulbuls (on the Mascarenes, Seychelles, and GC and Mo on the Comoros) and grey forms.(on Madagascar, Aldabra, Glorieuses and all four Comoro Islands) can be separated by their ‘cat-calls’, but that the grey birds (madagascariensis) on GC sounded like the green birds (parvirostris) with which they overlap. However RJS, arriving from Mauritius (inhabited by the green H. olivaceus), found the calls of madagascariensis on GC instantly distinctive (“quieter, softer, less hysterical’, “more metallic, higher-pitched” than olivaceus), but parvirostris sounded more like olivaceus (“more strident and wheezing” than madagascariensis). MIE, arriving from Madagas- car and therefore ‘tuned-in’ to madagascariensis, agreed. The calls of madagascariensis on GC may be aberrant, but are still distinguishable from parvirostris there. One H. parvirostris ate a fruit of Rubus rosifolius, La Convalescence (GC), 8 April. Cyanolanius madagascarinus Blue Vanga* Mo: c. 10 in forest/woodland above Fomboni, 15 Apmil, including a male in a Syzygium jJambos wood apparently trying to drive away a begging juvenile; though it could fly, the latter’s tail and wings appeared not to be fully grown. Turdus bewsheri Comoro Thrush An: birds paired and ‘sub-song’ (tentative and short) heard, Lac Dzialandze, 17 April. Birds used all vegetation levels, but were often flushed from on or near the ground into trees, where they flew, fast and silently, from perch to perch. Nesillas brevicaudata Grande Comore Brush Warbler GC: all observations were made in primary forest around La onralescenee and in the Philippia zone. One making begging noises and following another bird around with shivering wings was presumably a juvenile, La Convalescence, 9 April. Most were in twos and threes. All were feeding 3 to 10 m up in the shrub layer or subcanopy. They usually hopped, often with the tail cocked, along mossy branches and trunks, from where they picked tiny invertebrates; they also jumped between foliage masses, and at least once were seen leaf-gleaning. Birds in the Philippia zone were forced to feed nearer the ground. The most commonly noted call was a short, rather harsh, sparrow-like chirp, often given continuously; this must be the “low-pitched, sometimes well-structured, nasal ‘peut’”’ described by Louette et al. (1988). Sometimes these calls were strung together, ending in a chatter, but much less staccato than N. typica typica; or a chirp was followed by a higher “‘tsziek” and then a short rattle on the same pitch as (or lower than) the first note, producing a unique three-note call. Nesillas mariae Short-tailed Brush Warbler N. mariae kept to the mid storey, jumping about on branches and tangles 2 m up or higher, behaving like N. brevicaudata. The distinctive voice included very loud chirps and a five-note phrase, and it was hard to believe that the loud, scratchy warbling song, likened to a sunbird Nectarinia or paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone, was coming from a species of Nesillas! The differences in behaviour and voice between the two Mo taxa (seen side by side) correlated with the differences in appearance, especially the pale, cold, green, plain- faced mariae compared to the darker, browner moheliensis (with a fairly distinct supercilium about the eye). 98 Roger J. Safford and Michael I. Evans Nesillas typica Malagasy Brush Warbler Mo: Both pairs of N.t. moheliensis were skulking in undergrowth close to the ground, giving simple, staccato calls, including a fast, ‘machine-gun’ rattle. An: N.t. longicaudata was abundant in dense undergrowth around Lac Dzialandze, where it gave chacking and ‘machine gun’ calls, or hopped silently between vertical stems in the forest herb layer. It fed in flooded Cyperus/grass marsh by the lakeshore, or ascended to 3 m up trees (once 10 m up in the canopy) where one picked two 1-2 mm items from moss in a fork and another fed quite slowly, deliberately and silently along mossy branches. Based on these brief observations, it seems that Jongicaudata and moheliensis have habits and calls like typica (pers. obs. of N.t. typica in Madagascar). Brevicaudata and mariae are more arboreal; their voices are more like each other than they are to the other forms, but are still distinct, as are their appearances. Our impressions were in perfect accord with the taxonomic arrangement of Louette et al. (1988). Humblotia flavirostris Humblot’s Flycatcher* GC: in forest at La Convalescence, different twos on 8 and 10 April and one on 11 April; another two on 11 April in low forest/Philippia mix between summit and Kourani (see Zosterops mouroniensis). One perched motionless 3-4 m up and sallied to the ground to catch a 2-cm caterpillar, beat it on a branch for two minutes before swallowing it, and ascended into the canopy. The call was a distinctive, ‘icey’, shivering trill, uttered by all the twos, once by both birds. Terpsiphone mutata Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher GC: male re-growing tail streamers, La Convalescence, 11 April. Male had recently moulted tail streamers, Kourani, 12 April. Mo: some males’ tails half-grown, others fully grown, 15 April. Ma: male re-growing tail-streamers, still less than half-grown, Combani; others with fully grown tails, 21 April. Nectarinia souimanga Souimanga Sunbird An: paired and often seen hovering to nectar-probe Lantana camara flowers, Lac Dzialandze, where perhaps the commonest bird, 17-18 April. One or two juvenile males (?) were present, just starting to moult into adult plumage, but many breeding- plumaged males were seen, often chasing females; song was frequent. Nearly all N. soulimanga seen at Ampijoroa and Perinet, Madagascar (26-30 April) were dull- plumaged. Nectarinia coquereli Mayotte Sunbird Ma: nectar-feeding on papaia Carica papaya flowers, Combani, 21 April; song on 22 April. Nectarinia humbloti Humblot’s Sunbird GC: several singing around Moroni, 3-4 April. A free-flying juvenile begging with shivering wings and chasing two other birds, presumably parents, La Convalescence, 9-11 April. Nectar sources recorded were white flowers of Cussonia cf. spicata (Araliaceae), La Convalescence, 8 April, and Eucalyptus sp. (Myrtaceae), Moroni, 3 April. Nectarinia notata Long-billed Green Sunbird GC: a male displaying by fluttering from tree to tree with head held high, giving loud buzzing calls, Moroni, 4 April. Nectar sources recorded (both around La Convales- cence, 8-10 April) were cream flowers of a forest tree common at 1700 m (Sterculiaceae: Birds on the Comoro Islands, April 1990 99 probably Dombeya sp.), and a presumably introduced honeysuckle (?Caprifoliaceae: Lonicera sp.) in the clearing. Zosterops maderaspatanus Malagasy White-eye GC: a typically (for a Zosterops) diverse set of feeding observations included 6 feeding on berries (c. 5 mm diameter) of bush, Moroni, 5 April; probing large inflorescences of Cussonia cf. spicata (Araliaceae) probably for insects rather than nectar, La Convales- cence, 10 Apmil; hanging upside-down from Usnea lichen whilst probing into it; and gleaning through foliage. An: one feeding on deep purple berries, (c. 5 mm diameter) Lac Dzialandze, 17 Apmil. Zosterops mouroniensis Karthala White-eye* GC: Two groups of ten and one of seven, plus four groups heard but not seen, between c. 1500 and 1800 m on southern flank of Mont Karthala (between Kourani and the summit) during continuous heavy rain on 11 April. All were in low, unstratified woodland (7-8 m canopy) colonising a recent lava flow and dominated by large Philippia but with broad-leaved shrubs also common; no birds were seen perching in or using the Philippia. The woodland on either side of the lava flow was taller, denser and broad-leaved, apparently without Philippia. The altitude was not determined precisely but IGN (1955) suggests that the ericoid vegetation on the lava flow extends down to 1220 m and we certainly recorded Z. mouroniensis below 1600 m. Louette (1988) noted gverlap between the two Zosterops species between 1700 and 1900 m. - Flocks were restless and fast-moving, making virtually continuous progress through tree tops and mid-storey, birds keeping up a near-constant babble of quiet twittering, sometimes interrupted by short, sharp, much louder, slightly harsh and quite unfamiliar calls (alarm?). Behaviour and most calls seemed typical of Zosterops spp. in East Africa and Madagascar. Lonchura cucullata Bronze Mannikin GC: free-flying juveniles with adults, Moroni, 6 and 13 April. An: c. 10 at Lac Dzialandze, 16-18 April, feeding in knee-high Cyperus sp. by the lakeshore; inland records are few (Louette 1988). Ma: 5 at 200 m near Pic Combani, 21 April; records are everywhere rare (Louette 1988). Foudia madagascariensis Madagascar Fody GC/Mo/An/Ma: many males in full breeding plumage, 8-22 April, some in post- breeding moult to eclipse. A breeding pair (male in breeding plumage, singing and displaying) in the clearing at La Convalescence, 8-11 April, demonstrated that the species disperses across forest. Foudia eminentissima Comoro Fody GC: many were seen in all areas visited (including outskirts of Moroni) except the Philippia zone. The two Foudia species partitioned the habitat as would be expected, e.g., a pair of madagascariensis inhabited the clearing at La Convalescence, but only eminentissima was found in the surrounding forest; they occurred together in planta- tions with large trees or where the forest was fragmented. Around Moroni, eminentissima roosted in large trees (e.g., mango Mangifera indica) with House Sparrows Passer domesticus. They were best distinguished from F. madagascariensis (with which we are very familiar) by voice and structure. One male was beginning to moult out of breeding plumage, 5 April; another, 12 100 Roger J. Safford and Michael I. Evans April, had patchy red remaining; all other males were presumably in eclipse. Louette (1988) caught one moulting into breeding plumage in August 1981. This suggests that birds are usually in breeding plumage from about September to February or March. Calls noted were the following: 1 A high-pitched, buzzing tsieeew or skeeez, reminiscent of the contact call of juvenile madagascariensis, but given by adult eminentissima; this was the commonest call, sometimes given when feeding. 2 A machine-gun-like cha-cha-cha.... 3 A soft trill, heard only once. 4 A string of jif notes strung together in rapid succession, like the songs of madagascariensis or rubra in structure, but much ‘richer’ (see Horne 1987). All feeding observations were of insectivory: birds hopped along or up lianes, twigs and small branches (sometimes reaching underneath) in the shrub layer or lower canopy, picking and probing in the bark crevices and abundant moss, often twitching ‘nervously’; they also gleaned through the canopy. They could be inquisitive, respond- ing well to ‘pishing’. Mo/An: of the handful seen, two males on Mo and one on An were still in breeding plumage. None was seen on Ma. The feeding ecology, habitat, plumage, structure and timing of the breeding season of eminentissima (at least on GC, Mo and An) are all rather similar to rubra (Mauritius: see Cheke 1987 and Safford in press); however the differences (especially the calls: rubra is very distinctive) are large enough for them to be considered separate species, as indeed they generally are. Dicrurus fuscipennis Grande Comore Drongo* GC: one near Kourani, 12 April, was growing new outer tail feathers; it was in 10-20 m high woodland (very degraded or secondary), perching on a shrub beneath the canopy. Dicrurus waldenii Mayotte Drongo* Ma: 5 at c. 200 m on NW flanks of Pic Combani, 21 April: a group of 3 at the edge of a patch of native forest adjacent to a riverbank, and two at the interface between a thicket of non-native vegetation and an ylang-ylang Cananga odorata plantation. The three were moving together and were presumably a family party, one (perhaps juvenile) having a less well developed tail-fork; one of the two had at least one brown tertial and its primaries and secondaries were dull blackish-brown, so it too was probably a juvenile. Birds perched at all levels from canopy down to one metre above ground in the shrub layer, usually in areas abutting open airspace where they could make sallies after flying insects, but also foliage-gleaned (once) and twice perched in the crowns of coconut palms Cocos nucifera, seemingly attracted by the clouds of insects buzzing around the palms’ flowers (one such insect was seen to be caught after the drongo had scrutinised the insects intently). The drongos gave quiet “quit” calls as they sallied. The following species were also recorded: Butorides striatus, Bubulcus ibis, Pluvialis squatorola, Charadrius hiaticula, Numenius phaeopus, Actitis hypoleucos, Arenaria interpres, Coracopsis vasa, Merops superciliosus, Saxicola torquata, Passer domesticus, Acridotheres tristis, Corvus albus. Birds on the Comoro Islands, April 1990 101 Acknowledgements A visit to the Comoros has always been a tough proposition for any biologist on a tight budget; during April, with Ramadan and the cyclone season to contend with, it becomes more an endurance test: We passed this test partly because of the help and advice of Richard Wilkinson (EEC projects, Moroni) and Chauffeur Ahmed Sa’id (our guide on Mount Karthala), and sincerely thank them, and also John Hartley for putting us in touch. References Benson, C.W. 1960. The birds of the Comoro Islands: results of the British Ornithologists’ Union Centenary Expedition 1958. /bis 103b: 5-106. Bock, K.R. 1978. A guide to common reef fishes of the Western Indian Ocean. London: Macmillan. CHEKE, A.S. 1987. The ecology of the smaller native landbirds of Mauritius. pp. 151-207 in Diamond 1987. CuHEKE, A.S. & DIAMOND, A.W. 1986. Birds on Moheli and Grande Comore (Comoro Islands) in February 1975. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 106: 138-148. DiAMonD, A.W. (ED.). 1987. Studies of Mascarene Island birds. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Horne, J.F.M. 1987. Vocalisations of the endemic land-birds of the Mascarene Islands. pp. 101-150 in Diamond 1987. IGN 1955. Grande Comore sud. Ministére des travaux publics et des transports, Institut Geographique National, Paris. [1:50,000 map]. Louette, M. 1988. Les oiseaux des Comores. Tervuren, Belgium: Musée Royale de |’ Afrique Centrale. LoueTTE, M. & HERREMANS, M. 1985. Taxonomy and evolution in the Bulbuls (Hypsipetes) on the Comoro Islands. Proceedings of the International Symposium on African Vertebrates 407-423. LoueTTE, M., HERREMANS, M., BUNENS, L. & JANSSENS, L. 1988. Taxonomy and evolution in the brush warblers Nesillas on the Comoro Islands. Tauraco 1: 110-129. SAFFORD, R.J. in press. Status and ecology of the Mauritius Fody and Mauritius Olive White- eye, two Mauritian passerines in danger. Dodo, Journal of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, 27. Evans, M.I. & SAFFORD, R.J. in press. Observations on the Comoro Islands, in Thompson & Evans (1991). THOMPSON, P.M. & Evans, M.I. (EDs.) 1991. Ambatovaky Special Reserve expedition report. London: Madagascar Environmental Research Group. Roger J. Safford, Forestry Quarters, Black River, Mauritius, Indian Ocean and Michael I. Evans, Montrose, Llanddeiniol, Llanrhystud, Dyfed SY23 5AN, Wales, UK Scopus 15: 93-101, April 1992 Received 2 April 1991 102 John H. Fanshawe, Peter Prince and Mary Irwin Black-bellied Storm Petrel Fregetta tropica, Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata, and Thin-billed Prion P. belcheri: three species new to Kenya and East Africa John H. Fanshawe, Peter Prince and Mary Irwin Pelagic seabirds are one of the few groups of birds which are poorly known in Kenya (Lewis & Pomeroy 1989). Opportunities to study them are growing, however, with the mounting of off-shore boat trips to search specifically for such species (e.g. Taylor 1982), with an increase in game fishing from locations like Watamu, Kilifi and Shimoni, and with more regular collection of storm- or beach-cast material. Prior to 31 December 1978 (the deadline for records to the current East Africa list (Britton 1980)), only seven entirely or predominantly pelagic or off-shore birds (families: Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Hydrobatidae, Phaethontidae, Sulidae and Fregatidae) existed on the Kenya list. By the end of December 1984, the completion date for the Kenya atlas (Lewis & Pomeroy 1989), a further six species had been added. The number of records increased from 11 to 25. This illustrates well the returns available from additional interest in this group. In this paper, we report the addition of three further pelagic seabirds to the Kenya and East Africa list: Black-bellied Storm Petrel Fregetta tropica, Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata, and Thin-billed Prion P. belcheri. We also review prion taxonomy, discuss previous records in the light of this review, and suggest, as a result, the removal of one species, Broad-billed Prion P. vittata, from the Kenya list. Black-bellied Storm Petrel Fregatta tropica A fresh Black-bellied Storm Petrel F. tropica carcass found on Watamu beach (3° 22S, 40° 21E) on 27 June 1988 represents the first Kenyan and East African record for this species. With its distinctive plumage, the bird was identified easily: it had lost its left leg below the tarsal joint, but was otherwise entire. A black stripe descending from a dark chest to the undertail coverts is the main feature distinguishing this species from its congener, the White-bellied Storm Petrel F. grallaria. The specimen was of a bird in active moult. This is significant both in view of the paucity of moult data for Procellariiformes and because it permits extra information about the status of the bird to be deduced. The primaries were in descendant moult, the left wing being slightly more advanced than the right. The secondaries were old, although the outer four on the right side appeared in better condition than the others, but were not judged to be freshly moulted. Secondary moult in both wings was symmetrical. The greater coverts seemed to be new, as were the carpal coverts, while the median, lesser and primary coverts were all old. We scored moult using the criteria outlined in Ginn & Melville (1983) (see Table 1). The outer five primaries and secondaries were heavily abraded, bleached and brown in appearance. The tail, by comparison, contrasted markedly with the primaries, being much fresher, less worn and black in colour. Together, these features suggest two generations of feathers. We can be certain that the bird was not a juvenile entering its first winter owing to wing feather age and condition. Furthermore, it even seems unlikely that the storm petrel was entering its second winter, but more likely its third or — Three new seabirds for Kenya and East Africa 103 later. Nevertheless, one might have expected the bird to have moulted its outer primaries during its second winter; that it did not do so is a mystery. Table 1. Stage of moult in the wing and tail of the Watamu beach-cast Black-bellied Storm Petrel Wing (feathers are listed from the body out to wing tip) Feather numbers Secondaries Primaries Body ~(12°11.10'9).-8 7 6 5 left (1) 4440000 Right (1) 4440000 Tail fa 43 2 1 1 GeO 0 0 0 O One possible explanation is that loss of a leg, and perhaps part of the tail at some stage, had upset the normal moult sequence. British Storm Petrels Hydrobates pelagicus, Wilson’s Storm Petrels Oceanites oceanicus, and Leach’s Storm Petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa suffer occasional injuries to their feet and legs, and, although these injuries are not thought to hinder them greatly on the breeding grounds, it may make them more susceptible to wrecking in poor weather conditions (Love 1984, Marchant & Higgins 1990). It is generally thought that these injuries are caused by predatory fish attracted by petrels’ pattering their feet on the sea surface. In United Kingdom colonies, 1—2 per cent of birds have such injuries. The handicap of poor plumage condition may also explain why the bird succumbed. On measurements, the bird can be sexed with reasonable confidence as a female. Severe primary abrasion means that the wing might have been expected to be rather short, but it actually falls above the published range. The culmen and tarsus fall just inside and outside of their respective ranges, which suggests, after allowing for possible shrinkage, that this bird was a large individual (see Table 2). Circumpolar in distribution, the Black-bellied Storm Petrel occurs in both Sub- antarctic and Antarctic waters, breeding at South Georgia, South Orkney, South Shetland, the Crozets, Kerguelen, Auckland, Bounty and Antipodes Islands (Marchant & Higgins 1990). As well as wintering south and north of the equator in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, Black-bellied Storm Petrels have been recorded as far north as the Arabian Peninsula coast in the Indian Ocean. Birds seen off Somalia (Bailey 1971) are the closest to this new Kenya record and this species may occur off the East African coast more often than a single beach-cast carcass suggests. Breeding normally takes place towards the end of December, with hatching in February, and fledging in mid-April. Both juveniles and other birds are at sea for the remainder of the year, consistent with the June date for the Watamu bird. Several birds of the genus Fregetta were seen off Somalia in 1964, the two identified as Black-bellied Storm Petrels being recorded on 11 and 12 August (Bailey 1971). 104 John H. Fanshawe, Peter Prince and Mary Irwin Table 2. Wing, tarsus and culmen measurements of the Watamu beach-cast Black- bellied Storm Petrel in mm with comparisons from Beck & Brown (1971) (measure- ments in mm: mean + sp and range; males n = 10; females n = 16) Watamu specimen Wing Male 162.3 + 492 (154-170) Female 170.88 + 5.47 # (164-183) 186.5 Tarsus Male 39.6 + £40.84 (39-41) Female - 40.8 + ©1417 (39-43) 43.8 Culmen Male [53's st OAS (15-16) Female “A15.1e = 40:68 (14-16) 15.7 Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata This account concerns two Antarctic Prion P. desolata heads found on Watamu beach (3° 22S, 40° 21E), one on 16 August 1988, the other on an unknown date, but at some time during that year. These records, which have only just come to light, are the first conclusive records for Kenya and East Africa. They support the one previous beach- cast specimen which was treated as a race of Broad-billed Prion P. vittata desolata, and found at the same site, on 3 August 1988 (EABR 1988). No further data are available for this specimen, but, for the others, measurements and explanatory notes are presented in Table 3. Only two weeks separate these dated records, so it is likely that a prion wreck occurred on Watamu beach that month. Measurements for another prion specimen (see Thin-billed Prion below) are also presented in Table 3. The taxonomy of prions is notoriously complex, but, following the work of Falla (1940), supported by the exhaustive studies of Harper (1980), it was widely agreed that there are six prion taxa which might be recognized at species level: Broad-billed Pachyptila vittata, Salvin’s P. salvini, Antarctic P. desolata, Thin-billed P. belcheri (these four colloquially known as whalebirds), and Fairy P. turtur and Fulmar P. crassirostris (the fairy prions). The manner of subdividing these taxa between species or subspecies continues to be debated, with a lumped arrangement (following Cox 1980) whereby Broad-billed includes Salvin’s and Antarctic, Thin-billed remains monotypic, and Fairy includes Fulmar, being preferred in a popular guide to seabirds (Harrison 1985). These different arrangements are presented in Table 4. In a recent review paper on prions in the Indian Ocean, Bretagnolle et al. (1990) have argued the case for recognizing six species and following Falla (1940). In their study of four taxa—Broad-billed, Salvin’s, Antarctic, and Thin-billed Prion—analysis of morphometrics, diet, breeding biology, calls and genetics supported separation at species level. These, along with Fairy and Fulmar Prion, are also treated as good species in a new Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds (Marchant & Higgins 1990). We follow such an arrangement in this paper, as do the compilers of Birds of Africa (Brown et al. 1980): It differs from previous assessment of prions in Kenya (and East Africa) (e.g. Coverdale & Pearson 1984, Lewis & Pomeroy 1989), so a review of earlier Kenya records, as well as the new ones, is presented below. Three new seabirds for Kenya and East Africa 105 Antarctic Prions have an Antarctic and Sub-antarctic distribution and breed on at least eight widely spaced islands: Kerguelen, Heard, Macquarie, Auckland, South Orkneys, South Georgia, South Sandwich and Scott (Marchant & Higgins 1990). Breeding occurs a little earlier than for storm petrels, with adults returning to breeding grounds in October, eggs being laid during December, and birds fledging in March. In the non-breeding season birds disperse north of 50°S, and regularly visit the South African coast, but are rare north into the Indian Ocean. Table 3. Culmen measurements (in mm: mean + sD and range) of Watamu birds com- pared with published data for five prion species (Broad-billed from Harper (1980); Fulmar from Brown et al. (1982); the rest from Bretagnolle et al. (1990)) Length Width Notes Watamu birds SOD aE x 1g bimodtt bali 29.2 12.8 2 26.6 10.8 3 Published data n Length Width Broad-billed Prion 84 35.5 + 0.2 (32-38) 21.6 + 0.1(18-25) (n = 129) Antarctic Prion 63 27.2 + 1.0 (25.0-29.5) 14.0 + 0.5(12.8-15.0) Salvin’s Prion 64-39 2—+-3-7--(228:.055:3) aE Os (tS 518-6) Thin-billed Prion 66 25.3 + 0.9 (23.0-27.3) 11.4 + 0.4(10.2-12.5) Fairy Prion 21 22.1 + 1.1 (20.0-24.0) 11.1 + 0.7(10.2-12.8) Fulmar Prion 7 23 (21-24) Notes: 1. Head found on 16 August 1988: some overlap on length, but culmen width too narrow for Broad-billed and Salvin’s and too wide for Thin-billed. 2. Head found during 1988: the culminiform sheath was missing, so the measurements are slightly under-estimated, but they nevertheless rule out Broad-billed, Salvin’s, Thin-billed, Fairy, and Fulmar. 3. Specimen found on 16 August 1984: length rules out Fairy and Fulmar Prion, while width excludes Broad-billed, Salvin’s or Antarctic, identifying this bird as a Thin- billed Prion. See text also. Thin-billed Prion Pachyptila belcheri A third specimen, which is also held at the National Museums (labelled number B 9315), was found dead at Watamu on 16 August 1984 and described as a Broad-billed Prion. It is labelled as P. vittata, was originally assigned to the race P.v. desolata (EABR 1984), but measurements show that this bird is, in fact, a Thin-billed Prion. Unlike the other material, the Thin-billed Prion skin is complete and the identification is supported by plumage features, e.g. comparatively distinct light supercilium and dark eye Streak and thin dark tail band, as well as a wing measurement of 179 mm (which compares with wing details of mean 181 mm + 4 sp (range 172-190; n = 66) given in 106 John H. Fanshawe, Peter Prince and Mary Irwin Bretagnolle et al. 1990). Other measurements and explanations are given in Table 3. The Thin-billed Prion has a pelagic circumpolar distribution ranging from Antarctic to subtropical waters. Main breeding localities are the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic and the Kerguelen Islands and Iles Crozets in the Indian Ocean. Birds generally return to breeding colonies from late August onwards. Egg laying occurs in November and chicks hatch during late December and January. Chicks fledge during late February and March. Table 4. Showing the arrangement of Pachyptila taxa according to Falla (1940), Harper (1980), Brown et al. (1980), Marchant & Higgins (1990), Bretagnolle et al. (1990) and this paper (column A), and Cox (1980) and Harrison (1985) (column B) Common name A B Broad-billed Prion P. vittata P. vittata vittata Salvin’s Prion P. salvini P. v. salvini Antarctic Prion P. desolata P. v. desolata Thin-billed Prion P. belcheri P. belcheri Fairy Prion P. turtur P. turtur turtur Fulmar Prion P. crassirostris P. t. crassirostris The genus Pachyptila in Kenya Only one field observation has been made, a Broad-billed Prion (sensu Cox 1980) seen offshore from Ras Ngomeni, north of Malindi, on 10 September 1983 (Coverdale & Pearson 1984). The bird was identified as a probable P. v. desolata (Antarctic) but neither P. v. vittata (Broad-billed) nor P.v. salvini (Salvin’s) could be ruled out with certainty. The three beach-cast records from Watamu support identification as P. desolata (see above). Another record, of a probable prion seen off Shimoni on 25 August 1981, also exists (EABR 1981). Outside Kenya, there is a record of two probable Broad-billed Prions (sensu Cox 1980) seen off south-east Tanzania in July 1965. A small wreck of prions, identified as P. desolata desolata (the nominate race from Kerguelen) was found on the coast of south-east Somalia in August 1979 (Ash 1983), again supporting the Kenya records. In the light of the new records, and the splitting of the six prion taxa, Antarctic and Thin-billed Prion are the only species which have been recorded with certainty from Kenya. Previous records of Broad-billed Prion (Coverdale & Pearson 1984, EABR 1984) should be deleted from the Kenya list. Beach-cast birds A Leach’s Storm Petrel found dead on 8 February 1967 at the mouth of Tiwi Creek was the first record for Kenya (Parsons 1969), and represents the only time that a new species has been accepted for the Kenya list from beach-cast material alone. A second bird, off Mtwapa on 4 October 1981, proved that Leach’s Storm Petrel has flown to Three new seabirds for Kenya.and East Africa 107 within 5 km of the Kenya shore as well (Taylor 1982). The Black-bellied Storm Petrel, Antarctic Prions and Thin-billed Prion described above represent a notable increase in the number of species which now need to be considered from beach-cast material alone. Other records, e.g. of a Red-footed Booby Sula sula found dead at Shanzu on 20 March 1978 (EABR 1978), have, however, also been accepted. Such records present problems because of the obvious possibility that dead individu- als may have been washed into territorial waters. Given that this may have been the case with the three petrel species, some justification exists for listing them (with any subsequent similar records) in a special category pending discovery of a live bird. In Great Bnitain, beach-cast records are listed in a special Category D (B.O.U. 1971), but no such system exists in East Africa. With more interest in pelagics and better beach patrolling; the number of records from the tideline is likely to increase, and it seems essential that the recording of these birds should take account of their uncertain origins. Acknowledgements Thanks to Dr Leon Bennun and James Wachira in the Department of Ornithology at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi for allowing access to the Pachyptila specimens in the collection there. All three new specimens (with black and white prints and colour slides of the Black-bellied Storm Petrel kindly provided by the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK) are lodged with the Museum’s Bird Room in Nairobi. Thanks also to Graeme Backhurst, John Croxall, Terry Stevenson and Don Turner for their comments on an earlier draft of this paper. References AsH, J.S. 1983. Over fifty additions of birds to the Somalia list including two hybrids, together with notes from Ethiopia and Kenya. Scopus 7: 54-79. MARCHANT, S. & Hicains, P.J. (Co-orpinaTors) 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 1: Ratites to Ducks (Part A: Ratites to Petrels). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. BaILey, R.S. 1971. Seabird observations off Somalia. /bis 113: 29-41. Beck, J.R. and Brown, D.W. 1971. Breeding biology of Fregetta tropica. Ibis 113: 73- 90. B.O.U. 1970. The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland. Oxford: Blackwell. BRETAGNOLLE, V., ZOTIER, R., & JoUVENTIN, P. 1990. Comparative population biology of four prions (Genus Pachyptila) from the Indian Ocean and consequences for their taxonomic status. Auk 107: 305-316. Britton, P.L. (Ep.) 1980. The Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. The East Africa Natural History Society: Nairobi. Brown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & Newman, K. 1982. The Birds of Africa. Vol 1. London: Academic Press. COVERDALE, M.A.C. & Pearson, D.J. 1984. A Broad-billed Prion Pachyptila vittata on the Kenyan coast. Scopus 8: 43-44. Cox, J.B. 1980. Some remarks on the breeding, distribution and taxonomy of the prions (Procellariidae: Pachyptila). Records of the South Australian Museum 18: 91-121. 108 John H. Fanshawe, Peter Prince and Mary Irwin EABR. 1978. Sula sula [species account in the 1978 East African Bird Report]. Scopus 2: 107. EABR. 1981. Pachyptila sp. [account in the 1981 East African Bird Report]. Scopus 5: 132 EABR. 1984. Pachyptila vittata [species account in the 1984 East African Bird Report]. Scopus 8: 104. EABR. 1988. Pachyptila vittata [species account in the 1988 East African Bird Report]. Scopus 12: 107. FALia, R.A. 1940. The genus Pachyptila Illiger. Emu 40: 218-236. GINN, H.B. & MELVILLE, D. 1983. Moult. British Trust for Ornithology Guide 19. Tring: The British Trust for Ornithology. Harper, P.C. 1980. The field identification and distribution of the Prions (Genus: Pachyptila), with particular reference to the identification of storm-cast material. Notornis 27: 235-286. Harrison, P. 1985. Seabirds: an identification guide: revised edition. Beckingham: Christopher Helm. Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A Bird Atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. Love, J.A. 1984. Leg injuries in small petrels. Seabird 7: 71-73. Parsons, B.T. 1969. A record of Oceanodroma leucorhoa trom Kenya. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 89: 120-121. TAYLor, P.B. 1982. Storm-petrels Hydrobatidae off the Kenyan coast. Scopus 6: 13-16. John H. Fanshawe, Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Box 40658 Nairobi, Kenya, Peter Prince, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OET, UK and Mary Irwin, Box 56 Watamu, Kenya Scopus 15: 102-108, March 1992 Received 23 October 1991 revised 18 November 1991 and 31 January 1992 Palaearctic duck in Kenya 109 Numbers, distribution and seasonality of Palaearctic duck in Kenya D.J. Pearson and B.S. Meadows At least three million Palaearctic duck winter in the Afrotropical region (Monval & Pirot 1989). Most of the Garganey Anas querquedula and Pintail A. acuta from the western and central Palaearctic, and a substantial proportion of the Shoveler A. clypeata cross the Saharan—Arabian desert belt along with small numbers of Teal A. crecca, Wigeon A. penelope, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula, Ferruginous Duck A. nyroca and Northern Pochard A. ferina. In West Africa, the main wintering areas are in the Sahel, and few duck migrate beyond 10°N (Moreau 1972). In East Africa, however, many occur further south. Large concentrations reach the Sudd in south Sudan (Kingdon 1984) and the highlands and rift valley lakes of Ethiopia and Kenya (Brown et al. 1982). Wintering estimates of duck numbers for West Africa have come from wide-scale aerial surveys, carried out since 1958. These have helped identify the major sites of importance, and have revealed marked annual changes which suggest extensive east— west movements south of the Sahara (Monval & Pirot 1989). Relatively little quantitative data has been published, however, from East Africa. In Kenya, there have been no aerial surveys but the main sites for wintering duck are known. Concentrations are localized, and many of them accessible, so that ground counts give a reasonable picture of numbers and distribution. Between 1976 and 1989, practically all known wintering sites were visited by one or other of the authors and counted for the International Wildfowl Research Bureau at least once in mid winter. Some sites were monitored over a number of years and counted monthly or fortnightly over some seasons. Seasonality data and some preliminary wintering estimates were given by Meadows (1984). The present paper reviews the information now available on the status, distribution and migration times of the individual Palaearctic duck species, and identifies sites of international importance. Mid winter numbers and distribution Palaearctic duck winter in Kenya in six areas. These are shown in Fig. 1 and are as follows; The central/southern Kenya section of the rift valley The shores of Lake Turkana The highlands west of the rift The highlands east of the rift The Lake Victoria basin The southeast, including the lower Tana valley. TMOQWY> - Table 1 lists the important sites in each area, together with mean counts or estimates for the five main species. All counts between 25 December and 10 February have been used. Where complete counts were impracticable, as at the larger lakes Naivasha and Ol] Bolossat, estimates were made by multiplying up densities for different shoreline types. 110 D.J. Pearson and B.S. Meadows Figure 1. Map of Kenya showing the rift valley, land over 2000 m and the six main areas for Paiaearctic duck Table 1 also gives an estimated range for the wintering Palaearctic duck total of each area. The nift valley from Lake Baringo southwards typically holds 5000-10 000 migrant duck in January. These are predominantly Shoveler, followed by Pintail and Garganey; Wigeon and Teal occur in tens, Tufted Duck and Ferruginous Duck only occasionally. Palaearctic duck in Kenya 111 Table 1. Mid winter counts of five migrant duck species recorded during 1978-1988. Figures are given for the main Sites in six areas of Kenya, and are means for the number of years shown in parentheses. Estimates for the range of total wintering duck . in each area are given © W = Wigeon, T = Teal; P = Pintail; G = Garganey; S = Shoveler Way P G S A. Central and southern Kenya rift (total migrant duck: 3000—15 000) Lake Baringo 0°38N, 36°0SE, 980 m 4)ay0 DNAS AEG) 8) Lake Solai 0°03N, 36°09E, 1450 m 45 I5 aa bo 290) 3200 Lake Nakuru 0°22S, 36°O5E, 1760 m )> 20 Aree SOS OS Lake Naivasha 0°46S, 36°21E, 1890 m ©) eas: 2-412 4.5680), 560-1470 B. Lake Turkana (370 m) (total migrant duck 5000—>50 000) Todenyang 4°32N, 35°58E Cri 0 0 50 2000 Allia Bay 3°40N, 36°17E Qyre87 5 TOE ON 265 Ferguson’s Gulf 3°31N, 35°55E Byrn 2 0 200 240 2200 Loiyengalani c. 2°48N, 36°43E (1) 425 Ogir4es 68 345 to El Molo Bay C. Highlands west of the rift (total migrant duck 500-5000) | Ziwa Dams O0°55N, 35°15E, c. 1900 m Cicer ful aan) 18 4 Sergoit Dam 0°40N, 35°25E, c. 2100 m Aen Oirin gol 900 48 90 Lake Lessos 0°18N, 35°20E, c. 2200 m Dene 5 0 45 105 60 D. Highlands east of the rift (total migrant duck 4000-30 000) Lake O1 Bolossat O°O9N, 36°26E, 2325 m S)ix dk a2): ). 3375s. 750; 3900 Kinangop Dams c. 0°40N, 36°30E, 2300-2500 m (3) 11 2, e800 e341 3 <2) 107 Kakuzi Dam, Makuyu 0°57S, 37°17E,c.1400m (3) 0O 0) 700 1000 0 Thika Ponds 1°O5S, 37°15E, 1450 m (inet Oposclil V4 a, 45 48 Dandora Ponds 1°16S, 37°O2E, 1510 m 6) a2 2 108 252 i] E. Lake Victoria basin (total migrant duck 1000—10 000) Kisumu Ponds 0°06S, 35°45E, 1135 m Ch) 70 0 0 450 15 Ahero Rice Scheme 0°11S, 34°55E, 1135 m (3) 521 1 70 2000 0 F. The Southeast (total migrant duck 200—2000) Lake Shakobabo 2°25S, 40° 11E (4)°>- 0 0 3 90 1 The most important freshwater sites are Lakes Naivasha and Solai. Naivasha (altitude 1890 m) usually holds a few thousand, with numbers highest during dry periods (as in 1972-76 and 1984-88) when extensive muddy edges and loafing spits exist. Solai (1450 m), a shallow pan about 5 km wide, is often dry, but can hold large 112 D.J. Pearson and B.S. Meadows concentrations when levels are highish but dropping (>15 000 were estimated here early in 1981). Of the strongly alkaline lakes, Nakuru (1760 m) regularly holds hundreds of migrant duck, and Shoveler increase to thousands at times when levels are dropping and zooplankton and blue-green algae are abundant, as during 1972-75 and 1982-85. Lakes Bogoria and Elmenteita seem to be much less important. Lake Turkana, slightly alkaline and. low-lying (370 m) has a much longer shoreline (some 650 km) than all the nft valley lakes further south put together. However, most duck are confined to a few sheltered muddy shores, and the main sites of importance may change from year to year depending on water levels. In the 1970s, Ferguson’s Gulf on the west side regularly held up to 10 000 Shoveler (Hopson & Hopson 1975) and many hundreds of Garganey, but this site has been dry since 1986. On the east side, over a thousand migrant duck have been noted in Allia Bay and between Loiyengalani and El Molo Bay (e.g. Sekkerman & van Wetten 1987); also at Todenyang in the northwest. However, the main refuge is now probably located just across the Ethiopian border in the Omo delta. This shallow marshy area must compare with Ferguson’s Gulf at its best. Stevenson (1982) reported seeing huge flocks off the delta from a light aircraft, mainly of Shoveler, and estimated these at >100 OOO. In recent years, with low water levels, no more than a few thousand Palaearctic duck have been found on the Kenya shores of the lake, but it is clear that it sometimes holds many tens of thousands, and that these are predominantly Shoveler. Wigeon seem to be more frequent and numerous on the east shore of Lake Turkana than anywhere else in Kenya, with flocks of over 100 reported on several occasions. In the highlands west of the rift, at 1800-2500 m, the farm dams between Eldoret and Mt Elgon hold several thousand migrant duck in good years. Almost 3000 have been counted on Sergoit Dam alone. Pintail predominate here over Garganey and Shoveler, and small groups of Wigeon and Teal occur. East of the nft, the main sites are the marshy Lake OI Bolossat (2325 m) on the Ol Kalou salient to the west of the Aberdares, the high dams at about 2200 m on the Kinangop plateau, along the southern flank of the Aberdares, and the lower altitude dams and oxidation ponds at 1400-1600 m in the Upper Tana and Upper Athi catchment areas near Thika and Nairobi. Shoveler and Pintail are about equally numerous at Ol Bolossat, but Pintail (up to 8000 together) predominate on the Kinangop and Garganey (up to SOOO) near Thika. Small scattered parties of migrant duck occur up to above 2800 m on dams near Nyaharuru, and on the Laikipia plateau north of Kisima and Maralal, but few are recorded around Mt Kenya or along the Tana east of Maranga. At lower altitude, in Nyanza in the west and on lakes and swamps in the southeast, the Garganey is invariably the main migrant, but is usually in small flocks and much outnumbered by local duck. Thousands of Garganey occur regularly in Nyanza, however, at Ahero rice scheme. Mid winter distributions of the five main migrant species are shown in Fig. 2, in which abundance levels are plotted on a 20 x 20 km UTM grid. There is a general absence of records from the north (away from Lake Turkana) and east, but much of this country has been checked from the ground or from the air, and is typically arid in January with no water apart from a few small springs and water holes. Nor are duck found in the thickly bushed country to the east of the highlands. These maps again emphasize the concentrations in highland plateau areas and the rift valley. The three main species show distributional differences. Thus, while the majority of Shoveler Palaearctic duck in Kenya 113 winter on the rift lakes and adjacent Ol Bolossat, Pintail and Garganey are about equally divided between the rift and the highlands to the west and east. Garganey is the most numerous species on the periphery of the highlands below 1500 m, and the most widespread at lower altitudes generally. Overall wintering numbers vary greatly in Kenya from year to year. These variations may be related to conditions in Ethiopia but probably depend more on local water levels and food availability. Total numbers are generally highest when good rainfall has created plenty of sites, and then a drying trend has become established, producing shallow muddy bays with an abundance of food. Arrival and departure Palaearctic duck are often recorded in Kenya as late as early May, and again from about early September. Oversummering is unusual, but Shoveler, Pintail, Garganey and Teal have been seen in recent years between late May and July (East African Bird Reports in Scopus). Patterns of seasonal abundance are complicated by movements to, from and between sites in response to changing water levels. Lake shores tend to be attractive from September to March as levels recede in the dry season. The November short rains generally have little impact on this in, and west of, the rift. Sites may dry up completely, however, by February, and there are often local changes in distribution later in the wintering period. Water bodies may be refilled in the long rains by mid or late April, in which case the last migrant duck leave earlier than in dry years. The most useful seasonal counts have come from sites with a relatively constant environment. Table 2 gives mean half-monthly counts of Garganey and Pintail at one such site, Thika oxidation ponds, which was visited several times each season from 1977 to 1985, and where mid winter numbers were similar from year to year. Table 2. Mean half-monthly counts of Pintail and Garganey at Thika Oxidation Ponds Number of counts Pintail Garganey Sep early 3 0 0 Sep late 3 0 5 Oct early 4 0 5 Oct late 3 1 42 Nov early 3 17 48 Nov late 2 25 243 Dec early 2 127 467 Dec late 2 48 325 Jan early 4 185 492 Jan late 4 125 345 Feb early 4 100 336 Feb late 2 55 297 Mar early 4 40 335 Mar late 5 4 116 Apr early 8) 0 12 Apr late 3 0 0 114 D.J. Pearson and B.S. Meadows Figure 3 summarizes the broad pattern of seasonal occurrence of the five main species, based on records from various sites over a number of years. The main numbers are present for a period of only three to four months. The first Garganey and Shoveler flocks arrive during mid to late October, but Pintail flocks not until early or mid November. The main build-up of all three species is during November. Most Shoveler and Pintail usually leave again between late February and mid March, with the last parties in early April. By contrast, Garganey numbers are maintained and may even build up locally through March, though most have gone by mid April. Summaries for individual species Wigeon Anas penelope Kenya wintering estimate 50-1000 Locally frequent to common, but rarely more than 20-30 together. Found mainly at Lake Turkana where >500 were counted on the east shore in February 1987 (Shekkerman & van Wetten 1987). Also occurs regularly at Lakes Na- ivasha (once over 100, Meadows 1978), Solai and Ol Bolossat, and on small dams at high as 2700 m. Recorded mid November to mid April; mainly December to early March Gadwall A. strepera Figure 2. Maps, above and on the next three pages: Mid winter distribution of the five main migrant duck species, plotted on a 20-km x 20-km UTM grid. The mean count for each species is given as follows: e <10; @ 10-99; @ 100-999; @ >/000 Figure 2a (above) Wigeon Very scarce. Seven records of up to four birds together, but none since 1974. From northwest, west and central areas, and once from Tsavo in the southeast. Palaearctic duck in Kenya 115 Figure 2b. Teal Pintail A. acuta Kenya winter- ing estimate 5000-30 000 Locally very abundant. The pre- dominant duck on high dams at 2000—2500 m west and east of the rift, but typically outnumbered by Shoveler on the higher rift lakes (Naivasha, Nakuru, Solai) and Ol Bolossat. More widespread than Shoveler with small numbers near Lake Victoria and at the coast. Maximum counts: c. 10 000 Omo delta March 1982; 8000 Kinangop dams January 1981 and 5400 Janu- ary 1983; c. 5000 Ol Bolossat De- cember 1976; 3000 Makuyu Feb- tuary 1985. The main flocks arrive in late November and depart be- tween mid February and mid March. Teal A. crecca Kenya winter- ing estimate 50-300 Locally frequent, but rarely in par- ties of more than 10—20. Occurs especially at Lakes Naivasha, Solai and Ol Bolossat, and at Thika oxidation ponds where c. 60 were counted in January 1981. Recorded late October to early April and once on 23 May; mainly Novem- ber to early March. Figure 2c. Pintail 116 D.J. Pearson and B.S. Meadows Garganey A. querquedula Kenya wintering estimate 10 000-30 000 Locally very abundant. The most widespread Palaearctic duck. The main species at medium altitude (1400-1600 m) around Thika; sec- ond to Shoveler at Lake Turkana, and to Pintail on dams east and west of the nft. The only migrant duck common at lower altitudes in the southeast and in the west. Maxi- mum counts: 5000 Makuyu Febru- ary 1985 and 3000 January 1984; 3000 Ferguson’s Gulf December 1985; 2500 Tana River bridge Feb- ruary 1983; >2000 Ahreo Rice Scheme February 1983. The main flocks arrive between mid October and November, and depart between the end of March and mid April. Figure 2e. Shoveler Figure 2d. Garganey Shoveler A. clypeata Kenya wintering estimate 1000- >50 000 Locally very abundant. Occurs pre- dominantly in the rift, both at low altitude (Turkana) and above 1800 m (Naivasha); often also numerous at Ol Bolossat, but usually local and in small numbers elsewhere. Maximum counts: >50 000 Omo delta March 1982; 10000 Ferguson’s Gulf February—March 1972 and 1973; c. 10000 Ol Bolossat December 1976; >8000 Solai February 1981; 6000 Nakuru January 1973 and 5000 December 1984. The main flocks arrive dur- ing late October and November, and leave again between late Feb- ruary and mid March. Palaearctic duck in Kenya 117 Northern Pochard Aythya ferina Very scarce. Six records of one to two birds, all since 1973, from Lake Turkana, Ol Bolossat and Kisumu, December to March Ferruginous Duck A. nyroca Scarce. Occasional in ones, twos and small groups. About 20 records in all from west and central Kenya south to Naivasha and Thika; once Lake Turkana and once Marsabit. Mostly October to April. Tufted Duck A. fuligula Scarce, but recorded most years; usually in ones and twos at higher altitudes (1500- 3000 m) in central Kenya but occasionally at Lake Turkana. Sometimes in small groups, with 30 Nakuru January 1972 and 25 Naivasha March 1985. Mostly November to March. Discussion There is a single recovery in Kenya of a Shoveler ringed on the Volga (Backhurst 1969), while a Garganey ringed in south Sudan was recovered in western Siberia (Backhurst 1988). These appear to be the only recoveries affecting Palaearctic duck in sub-Saharan East Africa. Although over 10000 migrant duck were shot in Kenya between 1967 and 1986 (from reports by M.A.C. Coverdale, P.E. Davey and R.H. Foster), no rings were reported, and it seems likely, therefore, that the breeding origins of most Kenya wintering duck are in remote areas of western or central Siberia where little ringing has taken place. Six Palaearctic duck species reach Ethiopia in substantial numbers (Ash 1980, Urban 1991, and E.K. Urban, pers. comm.). While Teal, Wigeon and Tufted Duck stay to winter mainly in the Ethiopian highlands, many Shoveler, Pintail and Garganey continue on to Kenya. Small flocks of Garganey regularly reach Tanzania, and even Zambia, but Kenya is essentially at the southern end of a Siberian—Middle East—East African duck flyway. Pintail and Garganey winter in far lower numbers in East Africa than in the West African Sahel (Monval & Pirot 1989). With the Nile and West Africa still to be properly surveyed, E.K. Urban (pers. comm.) estimates East African wintering totals of about 100 000 and 200 000 respectively for these two species. The Kenyan numbers (about 20 000 for each) are thus substantial only in a regional context. The case of the Shoveler is quite different, however. Only a few thousand winter in West Africa, but well over 100000 reach East Africa—numbers comparable with those wintering around the East Mediterranean (see Monval & Pirot 1989). This species is locally abundant in Ethiopia, where wintering flocks of thousands have been seen (J.S. Ash, pers. comm., E.K. Urban. pers. comm.), but the 50 000 or more reaching Kenya in some years must represent a considerable proportion of all birds south of the Sahara. Following the criterion used by the Ramsar Convention 1971, Monval & Pirot (1989) have considered a wetland to be internationally important for a species if it regularly supports more than 1 per cent of its regional wintering population. For East Africa, this figure would be about 2000 for Garganey and Shoveler and about 1000 for Pintail. Kenya sites meeting the criterion for one or more species are listed in Table 3. 118 D.J. Pearson and B.S. Meadows Table 3. Kenyan sites of international importance for Palaearctic duck species (see text) Site species (maximum count in parentheses) Omo Delta, Lake Turkana Shoveler (c. 50 000), Pintail (c. 10 000) Lake Ol Bolossat Shoveler (>10 000), Pintail (>5000) Kinangop Dams Pintail (8000) | Thika/Makuyu Dams Garganey (5500) Lake Naivasha Shoveler (4000) Note: Lake Solai and Lake Nakuru also hold far more than 2000 Shoveler in good years, and Ferguson’s Gulf on Lake Turkana was formerly important for this species. Pintail Garganey Shoveler Figure 3. Seasonality of occurrence of the five main migrant duck species. Periods when present at the main Sites in singles or tens shown by heavy rule; in hundreds or thousands by shaded box Peak autumn duck movements take place through Egypt (Goodman & Meininger 1988) and along the Arabian and Sudan Red Sea coasts (BSM, unpubl., G. Nikolaus, pers. comm.) during late August-September (Garganey) or October—-early November (Shoveler and Pintail). Garganey are numerous in Ethiopia from early September, but the other two species not until mid or late October (J.S. Ash, pers. comm.). However, all three arrive in Kenya mainly during late October-November. This suggests that Garganey remain for several weeks in Ethiopia before moving further south, while Shoveler and Pintail pass on to Kenya with less delay. The main times of departure from Kenya (late February to mid March in Pintail and Shoveler, late March to mid April in Garganey) are just over a month before the respective bulk passages through the North Caspian area (Dement’ev & Gladkov 1952). Thus, return migration to the former USSR seems to be quite rapid. Palaearctic duck in Kenya 119 Acknowledgements We are grateful to Tony Archer, Miles Coverdale, Adrian Lewis and Terry Stevenson for assistance with counts, and to Dick Best, Peter Davey and Robert Foster for drawing our attention to a number of duck sites. References Asu, J.S. 1980. Migrational status of Palaearctic birds in Ethiopia. Proceedings of the V Pan- African Ornithological Congress: 199-208. BackuursT, G.C. 1969. Bird ringing report 1967-1968. Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum 27 (118): 217-225. BackuursT, G.C. 1988. Eastern African ringing report 1981-1987. Scopus 12: 1-52. Brown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEwMAN, K. 1982. The birds of Africa. vol 1. London: Academic Press. DEMENT’EV, E.P. & GLapkov, N.A. 1952. Birds of the Soviet Union. vol 4. Jerusalem: Israel Program for Scientific Translation. Goopman, S.M. & MEININGER, P.L. (EDs) 1989. The birds of Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hopson, A.J. & Hopson, J. 1975. Preliminary notes on the birds of the Lake Turkana area. Cyclostyled. KINGDON, J. 1984. Birds of the Jonglei Canal, in Development studies of the Jonglei Canal area, vol 5, Wildlife Studies. European Development Fund. unpublished report. Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. Meapows, B.S. 1978. On the wintering of the Wigeon Anas penelope in the Kenya highlands. Scopus 2: 97. Meapows, B.S. 1984. Numbers and seasonality of filter feeding ducks in Kenya. Proceedings of the V Pan-African Ornithological Congress: 441-459. Monvat, J-Y. & Pirot, J-Y. 1989. Results of the WRB International Waterfowl Census 1967- 1986. IWRB Special Publication No. 8. Moreau, R.E. 1972. The Palaearctic—African bird migration system. London and New York: Academic Press. SHEKKERMAN, H. & VAN WETTEN, J.C.J. 1987. An ornithological winter survey of Lake Turkana, Kenya. WIWO Report No. 17, Zeist, Netherlands. STEVENSON, T. 1982. Large numbers of Palaearctic ducks in the Omo Delta, Lake Turkana. Scopus 6: 72. URBAN, E.K. 1991. Palaearctic and Afrotropical ducks and geese at Gaferssa Reservoir, Ethiopia, 1964-1970. Scopus 14: 92-96. Dr DJ. Pearson, Browses, Sibton, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP7 2JH, England and B.S. Meadows, clo Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Box 30031, Yanbu al-Sinaiyah, Saudi Arabia Scopus 15: 109-119, April 1992 Received 12 September 1991 120 Short communications SHORT COMMUNICATIONS An Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata of unknown origin During research for a review of the genus Pachyptila in Kenya (Fanshawe et al 1991), a previously undescribed prion skull was discovered in the bird collection of the Department of Ornithology in the National Museums of Kenya. Its origins are unknown, but measurements proved that it is from an Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata (culmen length 28.0 mm; width 12.3 mm) found at some time during 1984, and attention is drawn to it here as additional reference material. Reference FANSHAWE, J.H., PRINCE, P.A. & IRwIn, M. 1991. Black-bellied Storm Petrel Fregetta tropica, Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata and Thin-billed Prion Prion belcheri: three species new to East Africa. Scopus 15: 102-108. John H. Fanshawe, Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Box 40658 Nairobi, Kenya and Peter A. Prince, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 OET, England Scopus 15.: 120, April 1992 Received 20 October 1991 Changes in the populations of piscivorous birds at Lake Naivasha, Kenya between 1987 and 1989 Lake Naivasha is renowned for its sudden and rapid changes of water level (Ase 1987). In 1987, the water level was dropping and aquatic macrophyte: growth was high but macrophytes were stranded as the water levels dropped. In 1988 the water level began to rise again and regrowth of papyrus in the lake shallows occurred (much of the papyrus was cleared during 1986-87) along with an increase in aquatic macrophytes. By 1989 the aquatic macrophyte beds were very dense, but a drop in water level meant there was a decrease in shallow margins since much of the lake edge consisted of stranded papyrus, as was the case on the east of the lake only in 1987. Visibility (measured by Secchi disc) outside the macrophyte band was decreasing between 1984 and 1987 and reached a low in 1988, before increasing in 1989 (D.M. Harper, pers. comm.). Two surveys of the numbers of piscivorous birds were undertaken in July and August 1987 and repeated in July and August 1989. The surveys indicated that there had been a severe drop in numbers of cormorants, pelicans and herons (Table 1). Short communications 121 Table 1. Numbers of the main piscivorous species at Lake Naivasha, Kenya, 1987 and 1989 1987 1989 Species - July August July August White-backed Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus 227 116 58 58 Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens 190 153 13 90 White-necked Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2063 2292 179 122 Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus 767 822 142 235 Goliath Heron Ardea goliath 74 79 29 22 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 75 96 26 36 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 39 64 120 82 African Darter Anhinga rufa <10 <10 0 0 Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer 114 ~~ 73 103 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 69 —— 89 12, During the period 1987-1989, research into the fishery on Lake Naivasha was undertaken (Muchiri, unpublished data), and the details of the commercial catch (Table 2) mirrored the trends found by netting at specific sites. The fish populations suffered a decline during 1988 (low catches of Oreochromis were due to a change in fishing effort) but were increasing during 1989. Table 2. Commercial catch landed at Lake Naivasha, Kenya during 1987-1989 Commercial catch in kg Species July 1987 July 1988 July 1989 Tilapia zillii 4.5 83.5 56. 5 Micropterus salmoides 668. 5 836. 0 3400. 0 Oreochromus leucosteus 32718. 0 1845.0 12066. 5 We suggest that the severe decline in the numbers of pelican and cormorants at Lake Naivasha over the two-year period may not be due to the drop in the fish population but to the low level of visibility outside the macrophyte beds which occurred during 1988. The 1989 numbers may be a consequence of a low level of fish availability in the previous year. Diving birds, C. rudis and H. vocifer, do not show any change in numbers which suggests that as expected, lower fish populations and the decrease in visibility in the water had no effect on these species—C. rudis fishes within the macrophyte beds where visibility is high, and H. vocifer takes prey from the water surface. The heron species show varied response to the changes: Ardea cinerea, A. goliath and Anhinga rufa decrease in numbers while A. purpurea increases in numbers. We suggest that the decrease in A. cinerea and A. goliath may be due to the water level drop in 1989, which left new growth of papyrus in much of the habitat that was shallow 122 Short communications margins in 1987, a decrease in fishing habitat may have led to a decrease in the numbers of these species. A. purpurea has a different habitat to these species, being found only in the papyrus beds on the eastern side of the lake during 1987. An increase in the amount of papyrus would enable this species to increase in numbers on the lake. Anhinga rufa was not seen at all during the two 1989 surveys and was only present in low numbers in 1987. This species may well have been lost from the Naivasha avifauna but since numbers were very low in 1987 it is unlikely that changes in the lake level or fishery have affected its density. It is possible that continuous poaching in the areas away from habitation where A. rufa occurs has led to birds being snared in nets and drowned. Acknowledgements This work was carried out under Research permit No. OP13/001/12c 46, issued by the Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya to Dr D. M. Harper. The authors would like to thank Earthwatch, and all the volunteers who contributed to the survey work. Reference Ase, L-E. 1987. A note on the water budget of Lake Naivasha, Kenya Geografiska Annaler 69 Ser. A 415-429. C. D. Taylor, Kingston Grammar School, Kingston, Surrey, England, A. C. Smart, The Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NX, England and S. M. Muchiri, Department of Zoology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE] 7RH, England Scopus 15: 120-122, April 1992 Received 15 March 1991 Four Afrotropical migrants on the East African coast: evidence for a common origin During the ongoing ringing study in the Pugu Hills (6°53S, 39°O05S) south-west of Dar es Salaam, 18 species of Afrotropical migrant have been handled or observed utilizing the forest. During 1988, these included four species which were infested with orange- coloured mites around the cloaca and feathers of the tibiae. The ringing site has been in regular use since May 1981 and the total number of captures exceeds 2600 birds. Mites had not been noticed previously but recent evidence suggests that they may have been overlooked before May 1988. The following individual birds carried mites in May 1988: 7th Spotted Ground Thrush Turdus fischeri 8th Eastern Bearded Scrub Robin Cercotrichas quadrivirgata 14th T. fischeri Sth T. fischeri 15th African Pitta Pitta angolensis 22nd Orange Ground Thrush Turdus gurneyi Short communications 123 The above birds represent the totals netted for each of the four species during the 1988 post-breeding movement. Pitta angolensis A regular passage migrant during April and May in small numbers. Extreme dates for netted birds are 6 April to 15 May (n =7). This species is often seen in the forest during this period and calling has been recorded. None of the birds handled was in active moult and, in some cases, the plumage was obviously worn. This would indicate that moult takes place in the non-breeding quarters after migration. Cercotrichas quadrivirgata A breeding resident in low densities and a suspected passage migrant. The above record is the first suggestive evidence of immigration or passage. Only nine of the species have been ringed since May 1981 and of these one individual has been handled 12 times between 21 November 1982 and 6 November 1988. The May 1988 bird was re-caught on 27 November 1988, presumably on its way back from non-breeding quarters. It was examined closely for mites but none was found. Turdus fischeri A regular passage migrant during May; extreme dates for netted birds are between Ist and 22nd (n = 8). Some adults were still moulting the inner secondaries which would seem to indicate that moult takes place on the breeding grounds before migration. Two of the adults handled in May 1989 were carefully examined for mites: a few were found, but only among the feathers of the tibiae. In our view these mites would not have been noticed during normal handling for ringing. Turdus gurneyi This species was totally unexpected on the coast. We are not aware of any records from Tanzania outside the species’ normal habitat in montane forests, although it is known from lower elevations in Kenya (D.J. Pearson, pers. comm.). The bird was still moulting its inner secondaries. All four species inhabit the forest floor and it seems likely that these individuals breed in the same area. We have no information on how quickly an infestation of mites can occur but we would expect this to involve more than a casual contact, such as sharing a habitat for a day or two on migration. In southern Tanzania, P. angolensis, C. quadrivirgata and T. fischeri are known to breed alongside each other on the Rondo Plateau (10°O9S, 39°15E) (A. Braunlich, pers. comm.). However, the only known locality where T. fischeri and T. gurneyi occur together is in southern Malawi (Benson & Benson 1977, Dowsett 1981). The race of T. fischeri in southern Malawi is belcheri whereas ours are presumably nominate. We suggest that an unknown population of both species exists, possibly in northern Mocambique. It is interesting to note that none of the migrant Red-capped Robin Chats Cossypha natalensis (n = 55) moving through Pugu Forest Reserve during April and May 1988 carried these orange mites. We have suspected for some time that these birds do not originate from the southern part of the country. However, this is the first direct evidence 124 Short communications to suggest that the robin chats are not part of the general post-breeding south-to-north movement along the coast. References DowseTT, R.J. 1981. The past and present distribution of montane birds in Malawi. Nyala 7: 25-45. BENSON, C.W. & BENSON, F.M. 1977. The birds of Malawi. Limbe: Montfort Press. N.E. and E.M. Baker, Box 23404, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Scopus 15: 122-124, April 1992 Received 31 July 1989 Some observations on Dunlin Calidris alpina wintering in the Sudan Dunlins Calidris alpina winter regularly in the Sudan and Ethiopia south to about 13°N (Nikolaus 1987, Ash & Miskell 1981). The wintering population in Sudan has. been estimated as 5000-10 000 birds along the Red Sea coast and 3000-6000 birds inland, mainly along the Nile. During 1980-1982, I mist netted 139 Dunlin at the coast near Suakin (19°05N, 37°20E), where the species occurs together with Little Stint C. minuta, Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea and Greater Sandplovers Charadrius leschenaultii in small muddy bays in mixed flocks of up to 500 waders. Forty-nine Dunlin were also mist-netted at Khartoum during 1980-1983 along the banks of the White Nile (15°35N, 32°30E). The species was present there with larger numbers of Ruff Philomachus pugnax, Little Stints, Curlew Sandpipers and Kentish Plovers Charadrius alexandrinus in flocks totalling 5000 or more at good sites, especially when water levels were decreasing in autumn and winter. Measurements Twenty-four bills were measured on the Red Sea coast during October (Fig.1). Mean bill length was 32.9 mm (range 28-38) but the distribution was bimodal. Assuming that measurements above 35 mm represented females, and those below 35 mm males, it would appear that the sex ratio (male : female) was about 2.5 : 1. Mullie & Meininger (1981) found a similar range of bill lengths and inferred a similar sex ratio in Egypt. The range of bill lengths in Sudan also fits well with what I found for C. a. alpina wintering on the German Wadensee (see also Pienkowski & Dick 1975). Wing-lengths (maximum flattened chord) taken at the two Sudan sites are given in Table 1. They indicate that the inland birds along the Nile are slightly larger, with a mean of 118.8 mm (n = 49) than those on the coast (mean 117.6, n = 139). Unfortunately, bill length was not measured at the Nile site, for a higher percentage of females could be the explanation for the wing-length difference. Short communications 125 5 BieiiA ® = ® 3 2 1 0 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 bill-length (mm) Figure 1. Frequency distribution of bill-length of Dunlin caught on the Red Sea coast Table 1. Summarized wing-length (mm) of Dunlin listed by month Suakin month n wing-length range August 1991 3 11525 115-116 September 1982 9 117.4 116-121 October 1980 46 117.8 112-123 October 1982 5 119.2 116-124 November 1980 76 117.4 113-123 August—November 139 nS 112-124 White Nile month n wing-length range November 1982 5 118.4 115-123 December 1980 4 117.8 115-120 December 1982 13 117.3 113-122 January 1983 18 119.8 117-125 March 1983 9 119.6 115-124 November—March 49 118.8 113-125 Weights Weight data are given in Table 2. Birds caught along the Red Sea from late August to mid November averaged 41.2 g (m = 139), considerably lighter than birds caught along the Nile (mean 45.1 g, n = 49) from mid November to early March. The individuals in both samples were presumed to be in their wintering areas, as the species hardly penetrates any further south in Africa. The higher mean weight on the Nile was not 126 Short communications explained by pre-migratory fattening in March. Nor does it seem likely that it reflects winter fat reserves, for climatic stresses are not expected in January-February in the tropics in the same way that they are in western Europe, for example (Pienkowski, Lloyd & Minton 1979). In other tropical wintering situations, migrant wader weights tend to be, if anything, lower during January-February than in September—October (e.g. Pearson 1981, 1987). So, again, the discrepancy between the coast and the Nile samples could be associated with a higher proportion of larger females in the inland site. However, factors such as availability of food and fresh water, and competition, can play an important role in determining fat levels. The significantly higher weights of Nile birds during the month of January remain intriguing, and cannot easily be linked with migratory movements. They could be a result of availability of fresh water (Klaassen & Ens 1990). Table 2. Summarized weight (g) of Dunlin listed by month Suakin month n wing-length range August 1991 3 40.7 40-41 September 1982 9 40.0 32-42 October 1980 46 41.3 34-50 October 1982 5 45.3 38-54 November 1980 76 41.0 33-55 August—-November 139 41.2 33-55 White Nile month n wing-length range November 1982 5 45.6 37-54 December 1980 4 39.8 39-40 December 1982 13 40.6 36-46 January 1983 18 49.3 43-62 March 1983 9 45.0 41-49 November—March 49 2 ee 36-62 Moult Of three birds (adults) caught during August, one had completed primary moult; two others had scores of 16 on 28 August and 16 on 29 August. All five adult birds caught in September were fully moulted, as were all adults caught from October onwards, except for one with a score of 45 on 5 October. Thus, most birds appeared to arrive during late September and October, after completing their wing moult. Adults still retaining partial breeding plumage were seen and caught up to November, exceptionally to December. References As, J.S. & MISKELL, J.E. 1981. The Dunlin Calidris alpina in Ethiopia and Somalia. Scopus 5: 32-33. KLAASSEN, M. & Ens, J.B. 1990. Is salt stress a problem for waders on the Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania? Ardea 78 (in press). Short communications 127 Mu tiie, W.C. & MEININGER, P.L. 1981. Numbers, measurements and stomach contents of Dunlins, Little Stints and Kentish Plovers from Lake Manzala, Egypt. Wader Study Group Bulletin 32: 5-9. Nixo.aus, G. 1987. Distribution atlas of Sudan’s birds with notes on habitat and status. Bonner zoologische Monographien 25: 1-324. PearSON, D.J. 1981. The wintering and moult of Ruffs Philomachus pugnax in the Kenya rift valley. [bis 123: 158-182. PEARSON, D.J. 1987. The status, migrations and seasonality of the Little Stint in Kenya. Ringing and Migration 8: 91-108. PIENKOWSKI, M.W. & Dick, W.J.A. 1975. The migration and wintering of Dunlin Calidris alpina in north-west Africa. Ornis Scandinavica 6: 151-167. PiENKOwsSKI, M.W., LLoyp, C.S. & Minton, C.D.T. 1979. Seasonal and migrational weight changes in Dunlins. Bird Study 26: 134-148. Gerhard Nikolaus, Bosenbiittel 4, 2859 Spieka, Federal Republic of Germany Scopus 15: 124-127, Apnil 1992 Received 31 January 1991 Eurasian Wrynecks Jynx torquilla in western Kenya The Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla is an uncommon visitor to Kenya, first recorded as recently as February 1969 (at Ng’iya, western Kenya—Backhurst, Britton & Mann 1973). Britton (1980) lists four further records, from Marsabit, Machakos, Lake Nakuru, and Lokichoggio. A sixth bird was found in Meru in October 1982 (East African Bird Report 1982), and the seventh in the Chyulu Hills on 30 November 1988; this last bird is the most southerly record for East Africa (East African Bird Report 1988). The eighth record is of one seen in the Huri Hills, northern Kenya, on 21 January 1989 (East African Bird Report 1989). These records are from widely separated areas covering a large part of the country, so it is of interest that we found three birds with 120 km of each other during December 1989 (East African Bird Report 1989). The first bird was at Saiwa Swamp National Park on 9 December. On 12th we found a second along a small thickly wooded stream north of Alupe (0°30N, 34°O8E), and on the following day a third was seen in similar habitat at Mungatsi (0°28N, 34°19E). Whether this was an unusual influx or whether the species occurs more often than the records indicate in the west of the country, remains to be seen. References BackuursT, G.C., Britron, P.L. & MANN, C.F. 1973. The less common Palaearctic migrant birds of Kenya and Tanzania. Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum 140: 1-38. Britton, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. 128 Short communications EAST AFRICAN BIRD REPORT 1982. Species report. Scopus 6: 124. EAST AFRICAN BIRD REPORT 1988. Species report. Scopus 12: 123. EAST AFRICAN BIRD REPORT 1989. Species report. Scopus 13: 156 Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. Terry Stevenson, Box 1051 Nakuru, Kenya and Julian Webster, 72 Cambridge Mansions, Cambridge Road, London SW11, England Scopus 15: 127-128, April 1992 Received 10 June 1990 Specimen of the Sprosser Luscinia luscinia from Uganda Recently I was fortunate to be able to spend some time looking at the collection of birds in the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Among the interesting specimens in the collection is a female Sprosser Luscinia luscinia (#579138) collected at ‘“Moroto”, eastern Uganda in December 1917. The collectors’ label is that of Meinertzhagen and Turner. This would appear to be the first and, so far, only, definitive record of the species in Uganda. The only other mention of the Sprosser I can trace for Uganda is that of van Someren (1931) who states that it occurs in Uganda, but gives no details. The Sprosser is likely to occur sporadically in Uganda, and has been recorded both in western Kenya (Pearson 1984) and in southeastern Sudan (Nikolaus 1987). On the strength of the New York specimen the Sprosser should be added to the Uganda avifauna. I should like to thank Prof Lester Short and Dr Allison Anders for permission to study the Museum’s collection and for help while I was there. References NIKOLAUuS, G. 1987. Distribution atlas of Sudan’s birds with notes on habitat and status. Bonner zoologische Monographien 25: 1-322. PEARSON, D.J. 1984. The Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, the Sprosser Luscinia luscinia and the Irania /rania gutturalis in Kenya. Scopus 8: 18-23. VAN SOMEREN, V.G.L. 1931. Catalogue of the European and Asiatic migrants to Kenya and Uganda, with a brief outline on the subject of migration of birds. Journal of the East Africa and Uganda Natural History Society Special supplement No. 4. Dr Margaret Carswell, 38 Park Avenue, Orpington, Kent BR6 9EH Scopus 15: 128, April 1992 Received 26 October 1990 Short communications 129 First description of the nest of Yellow Flycatcher Erythrocercus holochlorus The Yellow Flycatcher Erythrocercus holochlorus is restricted to lowland forest, moist thickets, and riverine forest on the coastal plain of East Africa from sea level to 500 m. It occurs in southern Somalia and Kenya, inland to the lower Tana River, and Tanzania, inland to the foothills of the Eastern Arc Mountains (Ash & Miskell 1983, Short et al. 1990). Brown & Britton (1980) listed Yellow Flycatcher under the category of “species whose nests were undescribed up until June 1976.” Since then, only one record, that of fledglings being fed, has been submitted to the East Africa Natural History Society nest record scheme (L. Bennun, in litt.). No additional breeding records or published descriptions of the nest, eggs, or nestlings of this species are known to us. In this paper we describe two nests of Yellow Flycatcher recently found in coastal forests in Kenya and Tanzania. In December 1989 JFMH, LLS, and JW discovered a nest occupied by Yellow Flycatchers near the nature reserve road in Sokoke Forest (3°20S, 39°50E), Kilifi District, Coast Province, Kenya. Periodic observations were made on the behaviour of adults and nestlings at the nest until fledging occurred. Another nest, still under construction, was found by DCM in December 1990 in the Pugu Hills (6°53S, 39°O5E), Kisarawe District, Coastal Region, Tanzania. No follow-up observations were made at this site. The Sokoke nest was found on 12 December 1989 when calls of two Yellow Flycatchers led to its discovery in dense foliage near the top of an understory tree. Calls from within indicated the presence of young. On the following day another visit was made at 10:58 hrs. One bird was observed singing repeatedly as the other approached the nest with food and entered through an opening in the side. Further feedings were observed at 11:25 hrs and 11:34 hrs, each time by one bird (possibly the female) with the other (possible the male) singing nearby. Three feathered young were observed through the entrance. They were olive-green above, lighter greenish below, with a pale yellow bill and eye-ring, and pink gape. On 15 December the young were still in the nest. By the next visit, 18 December, the young had fledged, and the nest was collected by Dickson Chepus (National Museums of Kenya nest No. 996). The nest tree was a 5-m-tall Drypetes reticulata. It stood in dense understory in an old tree-fall gap. The nest was of the hanging ball type, 4.5 m above the ground and 0.5 m below the subcanopy and an overhanging branch. It was made of dead leaves from Drypetes reticulata and at least two other tree species, and was bound together and secured to twigs of the supporting tree with spider webs. Surrounding green foliage was incorporated into the outside layer. Webs were not bound around the outside of the leaf blades thereby preserving the camouflage effect. The nest “cup,” about 40 mm across, was clean and free of faecal matter. It was constructed of spider webs and plant down with a side entrance. Dimensions were 105 x 55 mm (height and width). On one side near the opening, two leaves had daubs of mud in a hexagonal pattern, most probably formed by mud-dauber wasps (Synagris sp.). The nest was superficially similar to nests of common, arboreal forest ants, Oecophylla sp., (Formacinae). Bates (1911) described a nest of the closely related Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, E. mcallii, in which dead leaves hanging from two small twigs were incorporated directly into the outside structure of the nest. Loose dead leaves used in the Sokoke nest appeared to be too large for the birds to carry. However, the presence of unattached dead leaves from at least three species of tree provides evidence to the contrary. 130 Short communications While walking along a trail in the Pugu forest on 15 December 1990, DCM was attracted to a persistent twittering call. The call was traced to a group of three Yellow Flycatchers foraging on the edge of a tree-fall gap. After a few minutes two birds were seen entering an area of dense foliage, one carrying white material in its bill and re- appearing without it. Closer investigation revealed that the birds were working on a partially completed nest. Observations continued for about 30 min, during which two birds returned to the nest repeatedly. Each time one of the birds was carrying what appeared to be spider web. This bird entered the nest immediately after landing and remained inside from 30 s to 2 min. The accompanying bird remained close, giving a constant excited twittering call, moving actively about in the foliage, and probing around the outside of the nest. After the bird in the nest emerged, they both flew across the gap to join the third bird. They would then forage together for a few minutes before resuming building activity. The nest was in a tree at the gap edge, 6 m above the ground and 2 m from the canopy. It was an untidy ball of green leaves bound together from within with spider webs, and with a side entrance facing the gap. Leaf edges on the outside of the nest were not bound together, making the nest difficult to distinguish from surrounding foliage. It would have been nearly impossible to locate were it not for the conspicuous behaviour and calls of the birds. The birds were not seen carrying leaves, green or dead, to the nest. They appeared to be incorporating living foliage from the surrounding leaf cluster directly into the nest walls. It was not possible to see whether other materials, such as dead leaves or plant down, were used in the nest construction. Unfortunately, no follow-up observations could be made to monitor building progress and outcome. Three birds, all apparently adults, were seen together close to the nest, although only two were observed working on it at any one time. It was not possible to determine whether it was the same two birds because of the difficulty of keeping track of individuals during animated and vocal foraging bouts. The genus Erythrocercus is endemic to Africa and contains three species, Yellow, Chestnut-capped, and Livingstone’s E. livingstonii. All are gregarious and forage in pairs or small family parties which frequently join mixed-species flocks. They have similar habits, moving incessantly and vocalizing frequently while foraging (Bates 1911, Vincent 1935). Yellow and Chestnut-capped are forest birds whereas Livingstone’s is found mostly in gallery forest and evergreen thickets (Vincent 1935, Maclean 1985). The nests of Yellow Flycatcher described in this paper were similar to those of both Livingstone’s and Chestnut-capped Flycatchers (Bates 1911, Benson 1944, Chapin 1953, Maclean 1985). Benson (1944) observed that the hanging ball-type nest is unique to Erythrocercus within the Muscicapidae. There have been some doubts about the affinities of Erythrocercus. White (1963) placed it in the tribe Monarchini but Hall & Moreau (1970) stated that it did not “fall readily” into either Monarchini or Muscicapini. Other authors have elevated Monarchini to familial status, and it is within Monarchidae that Erythrocercus is currently placed (Short et al. 1990). All records of breeding activity in Erythrocercus have been from the wet season (Benson et al. 1971, Benson & Benson 1977, Chapin 1953). One of the few recorded nests of Livingstone’s Flycatcher was found near a wasp nest (Benson 1944). This nest, unoccupied when found, also contained the nest of a mud-daubing wasp. Nesting in association with aggressive social insects has been reported for a number of bird species in Africa and may provide some protection from potential nest predators (MacLaren 1950, Moreau 1942). Because of poorly studied habits in Erythrocercus and Short communications 131 the small number of nests found, many unanswered questions remain about their breeding biology. For example: are there are helpers at the nest? Do they build nests preferentially in association with wasp or arboreal ant nests? What is the incubation period? The eggs of Yellow Flycatcher and possibly those of Chestnut-capped Flycatcher (see Chapin 1953, Serle 1977) remain undescribed. Acknowledgments DCM thanks Wildlife Conservation International (NYZS), the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund of the American Museum of Natural History, and Mr J. S. McIlhenny for providing funding, and Neil and Liz Baker for inviting me to participate in their research project in coastal forest and for their hospitality and good company in the field. The Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (UTAFITI) gave permis- sion to conduct research in Tanzania. JEMH, LLS, and JW thank the Director of the National Museums of Kenya for his assistance, and the L. Sanford Fund of the American Museum of Natural History for financial support. We thank the staff of the Herbarium, Department of Ornithology, and Department of Entomology at the National Museums of Kenya for help with identifications, and Dickson Chepus for his assistance in the field. J. V. Remsen provided comments on this paper. References AsH, J. S. & MIsKELL, J. E. 1983. Birds of Somalia: their habitat status and distribution. Scopus Supplement No. 1. Bates, G. L. 1911. Further notes on the birds of southern Cameroon. /bis Series 9, Vol. 5: 479— 545. Brown, L. H. & Britton, P. L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds. East Africa Natural History Society, Nairobi. Benson, C. W. 1944. Notes from Nyasaland. /bis 86: 445-480. Benson, C. W. & BENSON, F. M. 1977. The birds of Malawi. Limbe: Montfort Press. BENSON, C. W., Brooke, R. K., Dowsett, R. J., IRwin, M. P. S. 1971. The birds of Zambia. London: Collins. CuaPIn, J. W. 1953. Birds of the Beigian Congo, Part 3. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 75A. HALL, B. P. & Moreau, R. E. 1970. An atlas of speciation in African passerine birds. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). MacLaren, P. I. R. 1950. Bird-ant nesting associations. bis 92:564-S66. MacLean, G. L. 1985. Roberts’ birds of southern Africa. Cape Town: Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. Moreau, R. E. 1942. The nesting of African birds in association with other living things. bis Series 14, Vol. 6: 240-263. SERLE, W., MoreEL, G. J., & Hartwic, W. 1977. Birds of West Africa. London: Collins. SuHort, L. L., Horne, J. F. M., & Murinco-GicuukI, C. 1990. Annotated check-list of the birds of East Africa. Proceedings of theWestern Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology 4: 61-246. VINCENT, J. 1935. The birds of northern Portuguese East Africa: comprising a list of, and observations on, the collection made during the British Museum expeditions of 1931-1932. Part VIII. /bis Series 5, Vol. 13: 355-392. 132 Short communications White, C. M. N. 1963. A revised check list of African flycatchers, tits, tree creepers, sunbirds, white-eyes, honey eaters, buntings, finches, weavers and waxbills. Lusaka: Government Printer. David C. Moyer, Museum of Natural Science and Department of Zoology and Physiology, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803- 3216, USA and Box 2339, Mbeya, Tanzania. Dr Lester L. Short, Department of Ornithology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West 79th, New York, NY 10024-5129, USA, Jennifer F. M. Horne and James Wachira, National Museums of Kenya, Department of Ornithology, Box 40658, Nairobi, Kenya Scopus 15: 129-132, April 1992 Received 23 May 1991, revised 31 March 1992 Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons feeding on a frog On 12 June 1984 in Dar es Salaam I observed a female Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons take and eat a frog. The weaver was perched high on a tall sedge growing from a recently filled rain-fed pond. The sun had set and the sound of frogs filled the air. The bird moved sideways down the sedge stem some 50 cm until almost at water level. The small frog—not much larger than the bird’s head—was taken and carried in the bill back towards the top of the stem. The bird remained on the stem, holding the frog in its left foot, and deliberately tore it into small pieces which it swallowed whole. Grosbeak Weavers were breeding nearby and no doubt the relatively large and protein-rich food source was most valuable. McLachlan & Liversidge (1968) mention insects “and even mice in captivity” as well as berries and seeds in the diet of the species. However, Maclean (1985) mentions only insects, fruit and seeds, the earlier reference to mice being omitted. H.T. Laycock (pers. comm.), who has studied this species for many years in southern Africa, believes the reference to mice is erroneous. It is surprising that such a presumably valuable and abundant food source is not taken more often. Perhaps observations at dusk (when frogs are most active) have been limited. References McLAcuLaNn, G.R. & LIVERSIDGE, R. 1968. Roberts’ birds of southern Africa. Cape Town: The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. MacLEaNn, G.L. 1985. Roberts’ birds of southern Africa. Cape Town: The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. N.E. Baker, Box 23404, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Scopus 15: 132, April 1992 Received 22 May 1990 Short communications 133 First record of the Locust Finch Ortygospiza locustella in Kenya On 31 August 1990 I made a visit to Alupe (0°30N, 34°O8E), Busia district, western Kenya. While walking through an area of rank grassland approximately 6 km north of Alupe village I flushed a flock of c. 25 small birds which immediately reminded me a Quailfinches Ortygospiza atricollis. Although I only saw them for about 15 s as they flew 80 m or so, I knew they were not this species. First, the call was different—a series of rougher, less musical notes. Also, as they flew up none of the birds showed the white tips on the ends of the outer tail feathers so obvious in the Quailfinch. I was able to see the birds very briefly through 10 x 40 binoculars and was struck by the fact that most of them appeared blackish above and white below. It was a species unfamiliar to me. I approached the area where the flock had landed but was unable to see them on the ground. However, when they flew I had excellent views of them, including at least three adult males. These birds were black on the crown, mantle, belly and flanks; the face and breast was bright red and the wings bright orange. I concluded that this was a flock of Locust Finches, known in East Africa only from the Ufipa Plateau and Iringa Highlands of southern Tanzania (Britton 1980). I flushed the flock again but unfortunately the birds flew over some bushes and disappeared. During this flight I saw that some of the females had dull orange/brown wing coverts, totally dark blackish upperparts and white underparts. On consulting the literature that evening I found that the nominate race of southern Tanzania shows little white spotting on the upperparts. As the Alupe birds appeared blackish and unmarked above, they fit the description of the race uelensis known from Faradje in northern Zaire, some 600 km north-west of Alupe. References Britton, P.L. (Ep.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. HALL, B.P. & Moreau, R.E. 1970. An atlas of speciation in African passerine birds. London: British Museum (Nat. Hist.). MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1973. African handbook of birds, series III, val 2, Birds of West Central and Western Africa. London: Longman. MacLean, G.L. 1988. Roberts’ birds of southern Africa. London: New Holland. Terry Stevenson, Box 1051, Nakuru Scopus 15: 133, April 1992 Received 29 October 1990 First record of the Black-billed Seed-cracker Pyrenestes ostrinus in Kenya The Black-billed Seed-cracker Pyrenestes ostrinus is widespread in Uganda occurring from the western border with Zaire east to the Sese Islands and parts of the Lake Victoria basin (Britton 1980). It is described as fairly common in the Kampala area (Carswell 1986). Further west it ranges across the continent to Ghana, south-west to northern Angola (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1973). 134 Short communications This species was reported in Kakamega Forest by C.D. Fisher in 1960 and was subsequently included by Williams (1967). However, there is no specimen and this record was rejected by Zimmerman (1972) and Britton (1980). In the light of the above, it appears that the record given here is the first substantiated one for Kenya. During a visit to Mungatsi (0°28N, 34°19E) on 22 December 1990 my attention was drawn to a brilliant red and black bird which flew ahead of me and disappeared into some thick bush. At the time I was leading an ornithological tour and told my clients to look out for this “interesting looking bird.’ Shortly afterwards the bird flew straight towards us and landed in a bush about 20 m away. I immediately recognized it as an adult male Black-billed Seed-cracker, a species I know from eastern Zaire. The bright red head with large grey bill and obvious white marks above and below the eye were outstanding. The red continued down across the breast and on to the flanks, the rump and upper parts of the tail were also red. All the remainder of the plumage was black. It was surprising that the bird as carrying a greass stem in its bill. After about 3 min of observation it disappeared deep into the bush and only re-appeared to immediately fly off about 5 min later. We continued to wait and over the next half hour the bird returned to the bush four times, on each occasion carrying a fresh green blade of grass. It was watched by 13 observers through a variety of binoculars. Everyone agreed with the identification, the only likely confusion being with Red-headed Bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla, but this species had been well seen by the group at Kakamega the previous day. Finally, the bird we had all been watching flew out of the bush and surprised us all when a female followed it. This second bird was only only seen in flight, but the distinctive red and brown plumage was well seen. Although we waited a further half an hour neither bird returned. We also tried to see a nest within the bush but a stream prevented us making a close approach and none could be seen from our position on the opposite bank. Neither bird was seen again during another visit three hours later. References Britton, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. CARSWELL, M. 1986. Birds of the Kampala area. Scopus special supplement No. 2. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1973. African handbook of birds, series III, vol 2, Birds of West Central and Western Africa. London: Longman. WILLIAMS, J.G. 1967. A field guide to the National Parks of East Africa. London: Collins. ZIMMERMAN, D.A. 1972. The avifauna of the Kakamega Forest, western Kenya, including a bird population study. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 149: 255-340. Terry Stevenson, Box 1051, Nakuru Scopus 15: 133-134, April 1992 Received 29 October 1990 Short communications 135 A record of the Orange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra from western Kenya The Orange-winged Pytilia is undoubtedly a very uncommon species in Kenya, not reliably recorded for the last 40 years. Britton (1980) lists four records from between Voi, and Mombasa and Kikambala on the coast. He also states that it was known from the eastern edge of the central highlands from Kikuyu to Mt Kenya. In the light of the above, it is interesting to have the following record of a pair of this species recorded from the Kongelai escarpment (1°28N, 35°01E), northwestern Kenya, some 770 km from Mombasa and 320 km from eastern Mt Kenya. The birds were found around noon on 13 November 1989 10 km down the escarpment from Makutano town. The distinctive male was first noticed as it drank from a small pool beside a rocky stream bed. I immediately noticed the small bright red “face mask’ extending well on to the ear coverts and not extending on to the throat and upper breast (as in the Green-winged Pytilia P. melba. The bright orange-edged wings were also very obvious. This male was watched on and off for about 40 min, and during this time it flew back and forth repeatedly between some nearby thick bushes and the small pools to drink and bathe. On one occasion it was joined by a female and they bathed together but the female disappeared quickly and was not seen again. At the time of these observations I was leading an American birding tour and all 16 people in the group agreed on the identification. I am also familiar with the species from northeastern Rwanda where I had seen it on about six occasions during 1989. Mrs J. Barnley, who lives near Kongalai, told me recently (pers. comm.) that J.G. Williams had seen the species on the escarpment many years ago. It should be looked for in these largely under-watched areas of the north west. I thank D.A. Turner for his comments on the distribution of this species in Kenya. References Britton, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. Terry Stevenson, Box 1051, Nakuru, Kenya Scopus 15: 135, April 1992 Received 10 June 1990 Palaearctic Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis wintering in tropical Africa—the first ringing recovery There are several indications that Palaearctic Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis winter in tropical Africa (e.g., Ash 1978, Nikolaus 1987) even though the Birds of the western Palearctic (Cramp & Simmons 1977) could provide no proof. Most Palaearctic Cattle Egrets are resident, but those from the Caspian Sea region are only summer visitors there and are expected to winter in Iran, Iraq and Kuwait. Records from the northern Sudan (pers. obs.) give a picture as follows: breeding birds 136 Short communications visit northern Sudan during the rainy season. Until October, most birds leave the north, migrating to southern non-breeding grounds. In November, new birds arrive in small flocks, which stay until February. These birds show generally a preference for habitats near to water and are often associated with other Palaearctic migratory species. In April, the breeding birds arrive again from the south. Birds caught for ringing at the White Nile at Khartoum of probable Palaearctic origin had the following measurements (mm and g): January 1983 (n = 4) wing mean 261 range 253-268 weight mean 353 range 320-385 Birds caught for ringing at the White Nile between Khartoum and Juba of Afrotropical origin: August—May (n = 5) wing mean 241 range 227-250 weight mean 310 range 280-325 A recently discovered recovery of a Cattle Egret from the Caspian Sea to Ethiopia is the first proof that, at least part, of the Palaearctic population winters in tropical Africa. The ringing and recovery data are: Moscow C301698 01.07.1980 pull Kalinovski Liman, Kyzil-Agach, Azerbaijan (39°O0N, 48°S0E). 20-31.10.80 dead Saraye Region, Ethiopia, 11°03N, 39°33E. A similar migration pattern for related species (Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus) from the Caspian region has been reported by Kistchinski (1978). Acknowledgements Thanks to Jaga Gromodzka for drawing my attention to this recovery and to Ina Dobrinina of the Moscow Ringing Centre for supplying the full data. References Asu, J.S. 1978. The status of Palearctic migrant birds in Ethiopia in relation to the distribution of arboviruses. in Transcontinental connections of migratory birds and their role in the distribution of arboviruses. Papers of symposium 1976, Novosibirsk: Nauka. Cramp, S. & SIMMONS, K.E.L. (EDs) 1977. The birds of the western Palearctic. Vol 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press. KISTCHINSKI, A.A. (ED.) 1979. Migration of birds of eastern Europe and northern Asia. Ciconiiformes—Anseriformes. Moscow: Nauka. [in Russian] Nikotaus, G. 1987. Distribution atlas of Sudan’s birds with notes on habitat and status. Bonner zoologische Monographien 25:1-322. Gerhard Nikolaus, Bosenbiittel 4, 2859 Spieka, Federal Republic of Germany Scopus 15: 135-136, April 1992 Received 24 December 1990 Short communications 137 Leucistic White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides in Kenya On 8 September 1990, at a small roadside earth cliff near Elsamere, on the south shore of Lake Naivasha, I was watching a group of White-fronted Bee-eaters Merops bullockoides at their nesting colony. I was with a group of birdwatchers, including Ken Ndarwa from Nairobi. One of the bee-eaters was leucistic, at first glance an almost creamy-white bird which was very eye-catching. On closer examination, it was not pure or gleaming white, but very pale, dull creamy-buff or pale limestone-coloured. Its bill was brownish-grey, and the eyestripe continued the same dull brownish colour through and behind the eye. There was a rather ill-defined crescentic band of pale reddish on the chest (below the area normally so vivid red on the throat), and the central back had a tinge of pale lime- green, only visible at close range. The tail appeared to have ‘fault barring’ of pale and darker creamy-buff. In flight, the wings appeared all cream, with no trace of a dark trailing edge or other pattern. The primaries, and perhaps the tail feathers, were noticeably abraded. The feet were pink, the eyes dark. All the accompanying birds— about 20 of them—were perfectly normal. Fry (1984) mentioned only six known cases of albinism among bee-eaters and only two cases described—of a creamy-white Oriental Little Green Bee-eater M. orientalis and a whitish Carmine Bee-eater M. nubicus—match the Naivasha bird in its completely pale appearance. Reference Fry, C.H. 1984. The bee-eaters. Berkhamsted: Poyser. R.A. Hume, 15 Cedar Gardens, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 IEY, England Scopus 15: 137, April 1992 Received 15 October 1990 First breeding record for Gambaga Flycatcher Muscicapa gambagae in East Africa On 20 March 1990 Mel Ogola and I were looking at birds with a group of British birders on the eastern descent into the Kerio Valley at approximately #200 m. While walking through the bush Mel Ogola called me over to look at a Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata which was behaving in an agitated manner, indicating that it might have had a nest nearby. As I looked at the flycatcher it was joined by its mate and I saw that, al- though they very similar to a Spotted, they were actually a little smaller, browner, and the chest markings were less distinct. There appeared to be no markings on the head but, because of the behaviour of the birds, it is possible faint markings might not be seen. From the description I identified the birds as Gambaga Flycatchers M. gambagae— a little know species in Kenya, occurring mainly in the north and east. in the meantime, Mel Ogola had found the nest which was situated approximately 1 m above ground in the centre of a small thick thorn bush Acacia sp. The nest was typical of a flycatcher, very neat and tidy and it appeared to be made from fine grasses and spiders’ webs, and it contained two eggs, grey-green in colour. No detailed examination of the nest or eggs was made, partly because of the inaccessibility of the nest but mainly because of the extreme agitation of the parent birds. 138 Short communications Approximately 50 m from this nest Mel Ogola located a second pair of Gambaga Flycatchers which also had a nest. These breeding records appear to be the first for East Africa but Pearson, Lewis & Turner (1980) stated that “The Lerata [Isiolo area] observations, however, are indica- tive of breeding at some time between March and September 1979.” although there was nothing to suggest that breeding had taken place in Kenya. Reference PEARSON, D.J., LEwis, A.D AND TuRNER, D.A. 1980. The Gambaga Flycatcher ee gambagae in northern Kenya. Scopus 4: 96. Dave Richards, Box 24545, Nairobi Scopus 15: 137-138, April 1992 Received 6 October 1990 Wing-flicking and vocalizations of wheatears Oenanthe spp. Miskell (1991) reports a buzzing vocalization for Oenanthe phillipsi and states that “as far as I know, no Oenanthe species has been reported to make a buzzing sound accompanied by wing-flicking.” However, wing-flicking is a common habit of Oenanthe spp. when agitated (see Cramp 1988, Tye in press). The buzzing sound reported by Miskell appears to resemble the begging call used by older nestlings of many wheatear species (Cramp 1988, Tye in press) which has been reported to be used by adult Northern Wheatears O. oenanthe when attacked or threatened by the more dominant Isabelline Wheatear O. isabellina in Senegal (Tye 1988). As this is a comparatively quiet call, it may have been overlooked in other wheatear species, and may be a common expression in Situations of anxiety or threat. Although the buzzing call has not been previously reported explicitly to be given accompanied by wing-flicking, wing movements (flicking, shivering) did accompany it in the Northern Wheatears in Senegal (pers. obs.) and, given that wing-flicking and the buzzing call are both given in response to stress, it seems likely that they would often be given together. References CRAMP, S. (ED.) 1988. Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, The birds of the western Palearctic. vol 5. Oxford: Oxford University Press. MISKELL, J. 1991. Vocalizations of the Somali Wheatear Oenanthe phillipsi. Scopus 15: 63. Tye, A. 1988. Vocalizations and territorial behaviour of wheatears Oenanthe spp. in winter quarters. Proceedings of the VI Pan-African Ornithological Congress: 297-305. Tye, A. in press. Genus Oenanthe. In The birds of Africa. vol 4, ed. by KEITH, S., Fry, C.H. & URBAN, E.K. London: Academic Press. Alan Tye, IUCN, The World Conservation Union, East Usambara Project, Box 1, Amani, via Muheza, Tanzania Scopus 15: 138, April 1992 Received 20 September 1991 Review 139 REVIEW Annotated check-list of the birds of East Africa by Lester L. Short, Jennifer F. M. Horne and Cecilia Muringo-Gichuchi, 1990. Proceedings of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology 4 (3): 61-246, including 3 maps and 25 habitat photos, and a 48-pp pocket-size “Field check-list of the birds of East Africa”. Price US$20.00, sent postpaid (surface) worldwide, from Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, 1100 Glendon Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA. This check-list, as its Introduction points out, is designed to provide an annotated check-list in a taxonomic order for the 1320 birds known from East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania). It is claimed to be “the first attempt to place the East African avifauna in a manner readily allowing taxonomic and zoogeographic comparisons”, and species relationships are assessed with regard to major subspecies, allospecific status (where it exists), species groups, and the genus in which they are included. The purpose of the list is to teach and suggest, and to stimulate birdwatchers into collecting new data. The authors broadly follow the sequence of The birds of Africa, and take into account other commonly used sequences and the recent taxonomic literature, but include frequent innovations of their own to raise further controversy among ornithologists. The work is taxonomically and distributionally annotated, and each species is dealt with in about 50-150 words under a heading of English name (“based upon a worldwide perspective leavened by an East African perspective”), scientific name, author, the East African countries from which each is known, and a cross-reference to the sequential species number in Britton (1980). A summary of status, distribution and habitat follows, as are actual records of uncommon to rare species. At times there are comments on possible reasons for changes in status—likely soon to become a major problem in Kenya with its human population growth rate of 4 per cent and its concomitant habitat deterioration. The check-list has indeed proved to be a worthwhile endeavour, although its contents, I fear, may not have great appeal beyond the taxonomists for whom it has mainly been written. It is admirable in listing together members of superspecies and in indicating relationships, but as one of its major objectives is to encourage the interest of, and contributions from, field ornithologists, the Introduction required a clear explanation of superspecies. This probably needed to be done in the language of field-workers in order to fully encourage them to provide the required field observations. Another failing in my view is the absence of an index, which I would regard as an absolute essential. Ornithologists requiring information on subspecies, status, habitat and distribution are already extremely well provided for by Britton (1980) and Lewis & Pomeroy (1989). The present work provides an up-date to these, but presumably much of the authors’ own distribution data are already included in the Atlas. Other features I should like to have seen include the sequential numbering of species, the addition of page captions as a quick guide to scientific and English names, and more clearly or boldly designated family headings throughout the text. The 25 habitat plates are rather poorly reproduced from what were apparently excellent original photographs. I suspect the present check-list will be used, unknown to its authors, to a similarly great extent by non-taxonomists working in other fields (faunistics, zoogeographical studies, etc.) as is the atlas by Hall & Moreau (1970). But now, following the probable 140 Review, Notices adoption of the recent new Sibley & Monroe (1990) classification of birds by the American Ornithologists’ Union, other national ornithological societies are likely to follow suit—the matter is already under consideration by the Omithological Sub- Committee of the East Africa Natural History Society (Turner, et al. 1991). These decisions will presumably call for an early revision of the check-list reviewed here. References BRITTON, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. HALL, B.P. & Moreau, R.E. 1970. An atlas of speciation in African passerine birds. London: British Museum (Natural History). Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. TURNER, D.A., PEARSON, D.J. & ZIMMERMAN, D.A. 1991. Taxonomic notes on some East African birds. Part I—Non-passerines. Scopus 14: 84-91. S1BLEY, C.G. & Monroe, B.L. Jr. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. J.S. Ash NOTICES Leslie Brown Memorial Grant 1992 In the memory of one of the most inspired and productive raptor biologists of recent decades, the Raptor Research Foundation announces the availability of this grant, for up to $1000, to provide financial assistance to promote the research, and/or the dissemina- tion of information, on birds of prey. Applicants must send a resumé, specific study objectives, an account of how funds will be spent, and a statement indicating how the proposed work would relate to other work by the applicant and to other sources of funds. Proposals concerning African raptors will receive highest priority between proposals of otherwise equal merit. A complete application must be received by 15 September. Proposals, donations and inquiries about tax exempt contributions to the fund should be sent to: Dr Jeff Lincer, Chairman, RRF Leslie Brown Memorial Fund, BioSystems Analysis Inc., Sorrento Towers, Suite 100, 5355 Mira Sorrento Place, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. Tel: +619 597 7550, fax: +619 597 7450. Records wanted of vagrant birds in Seychelles A Records Committee has been established to collate data on birds in the Republic of Seychelles, which also includes the coral limestone atolls of the Amirantes, Providence, Farquhar and Aldabra groups. It will assess and publish records of vagrants, as well as monitoring the populations of breeding species and migrants, with the ultimate aim of producing a full check-list. The members are Ian Bullock, Chris Feare, James Ferguson- Lees (chairman), David Fisher, Ron Gerlach, John Phillips, and Adrian Skerrett (secretary), all of whom have spent much time in the islands. Past and present observations are needed of any species that have been reported less than annually. Lists are available from Adrian Skerrett, Box 336, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, to whom all observations should be sent. Notes for Contributors, Cont. [no comma, no parentheses]; in the list of references at the end of a paper or short communication: authors' family names followed by a comma, then initials, each followed by a full point (= full stop, period); names of journals: to be given in full; books: after author(s), year of publication and title give the town followed by the publisher. Two copies of contributions, which will be acknowledged, should be typed in double spacing on one side of the paper only, with wide margins all round. Clear hand-written MSS will also be considered. Both English and scientific names of birds should be given when the species is first mentioned, thereafter only one name should be used. The names should be those of a stated work and any deviations from this work should be noted and reasons given. Metric units should be used. Contributions on floppy disk are welcomed, but please still send two hard copies. When you send your contribution on disk please do not type anything in ALL CAPS unless the combination always occurs in that form (e.g., ‘USA’). Original black and white photographs and line illustrations should not be larger than A4 (210 x 297 mm). Line illustrations should be on good quality white paper or board, or on tracing material; lettering should be of professional quality or marked lightly in pencil. Authors of ‘papers’ receive three copies of their contribution free of charge. Extra copies, which will be charged at cost, must be ordered when the MS is accepted. All contributions should be sent to the Editor, G. C. Backhurst, Box 24702, Nairobi, Kenya. East African Bird Report This normally forms the third issue of Scopus each year. Records from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are welcomed. Please send them as soon as you can to D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi. Records of rare birds are assessed by the internationally-based East African Rarities Committee. If you see a rare bird, it may help to telephone one of the OSC members so that someone else can see the bird. Ringing scheme of eastern Africa This covers several countries in the area. Qualified and aspiring ringers should contact the ringing organizer, Box 24702, Nairobi for more information. E.A.N.H.S. Nest Record Scheme Details of most kinds of breeding activity are required by the scheme. Nest record cards may be obtained free of charge from the organizer, Dr Leon A. Bennun, Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Box 40658, Nairobi. ICAMREF 19 Scopus 15 (2), April 1992 Contents FLEMMING PAGH JENSEN AND STEFFEN BROGGER-JENSEN. The forest avifauna of the Uzungwa Mountains, TamZamia’:ccccccccsscecciescosssvsceseneescaccanascessverocedeesceesess $iecsesseereeee nee eee ae 65 COLIN RYALL. Avifauna of Nguuni, near Mombasa, Kenya, between September 1984 and October 1987: Part II — Palaearctic Species ...............cccccccssccssscssssessescstesssaseescececees 84 ROGER J. SAFFORD AND MICHAEL I. EvANs. Birds on the Comoro Islands, April 1990 93 JOHN H. FANSHAWE, PETER PRINCE AND Mary IRwin. Black-bellied Storm Petrel Fregetta tropica, Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata, and Thin-billed Prion P. belcheri: three species new to Kenya and East’ Africa ......2:...:..cs.coss0cssstssdecoscssecosteostroueetee eee 102 D.J. PEARSON AND B.S. Meapows. Numbers, distribution and seasonality of Palaearctic duck UM! KORY a) oo siceosssosesch sedi dnesestesooasddeacaseesscsdbeceevsedscuncaueesvascesucecee cue ee states ee eentee ee een 109 Short communications JOHN H. FANSHAWE AND PETER A. PRINCE. An Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata of unknown OTT SUN ceesecsseaddesessdsecsbes soegesiivolss dauvedccsesocecvetsdovsesssvavevac’scuenciesscsees OSes Cateneee SeCeeee cen Ree een 120 C.D. TayLor, A.C. SMART AND S.M. Mucuiri. Changes in the populations of piscivorous birds at Lake Naivasha, Kenya between 1987 and 1989 00... cessccenccencceeces 120 N.E. AND E.M. BAKER. Four Afrotropical migrants on the East African coast: evidence for @ COMMON OFIBIN ..2..:..000c0cceoecsssssorecessecescessodsdussseeeenss cavece sOleedeseeedeeeetee setae ee eene a eeeeRe 122 GERHARD NIKOLAus. Some observations on Dunlin Calidris alpina wintering in the Sudan ML e sasosdcsdedaceecedbnarssvaccussstacesoeaccoessssaaesvaceustesseseacdedwadeooceceasslenseedecsenteee Meena nte ance t eee amen aU a TERRY STEVENSON AND JULIAN WEBSTER. Eurasian Wrynecks Jynx torquilla in western Kenya sasdbsnsesspucedueseussvsdadecendcasedeseedstesnsesod evuacedSeusascecdechscestate castes cued Cele ate ee tee eee 127 MARGARET CARSWELL. Specimen of the Sprosser Luscinia luscinia from Uganda....... 128 Dav C. Moyer, LESTER L. SHORT, JENNIFER F.M. HORNE AND JAMES WACHIRA. First description of the nest of Yellow Flycatcher Erythrocercus holochlorus ........... 129 N.E. BAKER. Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons feeding on a frog ..............000+ 132 TERRY STEVENSON. First record of the Locust Finch Ortygospiza locustella in Kenya..... wassuncesasesneseateces coussoorcaurootesuarootsdeasevacsnacvesvSessedsendioustoecseecesercosces{teetee eee eet aaete aetna ee eaeaae 133 TERRY STEVENSON. First record of the Black-billed Seed-cracker Pyrenestes ostrinus in Kenya Sabaacesessersuadesvss based sgcasueesdaasansessedbacastensachuecavadeusuesassecetenssuccessteetee eccencteeeteeeeeneeeeeeeeneemene 133 TERRY Secon A record of the Orange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra from western Kenya sdosadedsesdeacsodsesdaSosedeuconseonasdvedonsdendconstosasivesoucsensdéedsotcaveeosssonseesesecerect Onc eeeeettae aaa eam 135 GERHARD NIko.aus. Palaearctic Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis wintering in tropical Africa— the first TINGING TECOVETY 5.00. ..2...-ncceccesssssicevescssscevesesesseesecooseesacecokesoeeceenseeemeeeaenetnemees 135 R.A. Hume. Leucistic White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides in Kenya........... 137 DaVE RICHARDS. First breeding record for Gambaga Flycatcher Muscicapa gambagae in East | AftiCa sc. cocceccesecssvessecevevedessebabenctevesecedesteoscdheobdessibecesensseseredensdcesestcee eet eeeetneaeteeeneae 137 ALAN Tye. Wing-flicking and vocalizations of wheartears Oenanthe spp. .............+0+ 138 Review Annotated check-list of the birds of East Africa (review by J.S. ASH) ...............scee0 139 Addenda and Notices AddeNda....csescseasasesdecesel bese Tasccestaendstesenedesdiadsesoasbdendeast Riascdescveotens destsucones teste teeeeeatenae meant 92 Leslie: Brown Memorial Grant 1992:.:....2.....c.cccsscccesssossocossecsossasonstvocnecsoececesonsseeneeeseeeereseee 140 Records wanted of vagrant birds in Seychelles .............. cc. eesecssecsteessecesseeceeecssssssssnssenes 140 Published by the Ornithological Sub-Committee of the E.A.N.H.S. and Printed in Kenya by AMREF, Wilson Airport, Box 30125, Nairobi 12 ISSN 0250-4162 OA (BSAA SCOPUS A publication of the Ornithological Sub-Committee of the East Africa Natural History Society Edited by Graeme Backhurst Volume 15, No. 3, July 1993 East African Bird Report 1991 SCOPUS Cover illustration from a gouache painting by Dr P. A. Clancey Scopus is normally published three times a year (although issues may be combined) by the Ornithological Sub-committee of the East Africa Natural History Society. Subscriptions are payable to the OSC Hon Treasurer (and Secretary) D. A. Turner [tel. Nairobi 48133], Scopus a/c, Box 48019, Nairobi, Kenya, at the following rates: Kenya residents: Ksh 150.00 (Ksh 160.00 up-country cheques) All others, air mail: Stg £10.00, US $16.00, DM30,00 or equivalent in convertible currency Bank Drafts in Kenya currency cannot be accepted This is because our bank charges almost as much as the value of the draft to process it. The rates for ‘All others’ apply to subscribers in all countries other than Kenya. Those wishing to remit by bank transfer should do so to Barclays Bank of Kenya Ltd., Market Branch, Box 30018, Nairobi for credit of D. A. Turner, Scopus a/c No. 2852601. Other members of the Ornithological Sub-Committee: G. C. Backhurst (Chairman, Editor of Scopus, and Ringing Organizer), Box 15194, Nairobi; house tel. Nairobi 891 419, office tel. Nairobi 501 301. A. L. Archer, Nairobi; N. E. Baker, Dar es Salaam; Dr L. A. Bennun, Nairobi; Dr M. J. Carswell, England; M. A. C. Coverdale, Nakuru; J. H. Fanshawe, England; B. W. Finch, Mara and Nairobi; Mrs C. Gichuki, Nairobi; N. Gichuki, Nairobi; W. G. Harvey, Nairobi; Dr K. M. Howell, Dar es Salaam; Dr W. Karanja, Nairobi; Dr A. D. Lewis, England; B. S. Meadows, Saudi Arabia; J. E. Miskell, Kampala; D. C. Moyer, Arusha and USA; Dr D. J. Pearson, England; Prof D. E. Pomeroy, Kampala; J. F. Reynolds, England; D. K. Richards, Nairobi; T. Stevenson, Baringo. Co-opted members: Dr H. A. Isack, Nairobi; Mrs S. Kamau, Nairobi. Notes for Contributors Scopus welcomes original contributions on all aspects of the ornithology of eastern Africa—the area from the Sudan south to Mogambique. Contributions will be assessed by independent referees. The material published is divided into ‘papers’, ‘short communications’, letters, and communications. Short communications will usually be less than two pages in length. Authors are asked to follow the conventions used in Scopus and to refer to a recent issue for guidance. A few examples of conventions are: dates: 23 September 1991 Continued inside back cover Scopus 15: 141-142, July 1993 East African Bird Report 1991 ’ dl HE FORMAT OF THIS REPORT follows that established in those for 1987-90: a general review for Kenya, together with the systematic lists and migrant dates, followed by similar records from colleagues in Tanzania and Uganda. The revision of Birds of East Africa (Britton 1980) continued during the year, and only now (May 1993) have we reached the end of the non-passerines. This revision is indeed a lengthy process, particularly so at a time when so many views and opinions on African birds are being published. Meanwhile, the on- going world debate on the pros and cons of the Sibley & Monroe classification continues. Kenya—general review and highlights Weather over most of the country was, for a change, in line with the expected pattern for the region. Birding highlights of the year were the second country records of Black-bellied Seed-cracker Pyrenestes ostrinus, and Locust Finch Ortygaspiza locustella from western Kenya border areas along with the first western Kenya record of the Magpie Mannikin Lonchura fringilloides. The third Kenya and East African specimen of Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax was obtained offshore north of Mombasa. Two little-known subspecies were seen for the first time in over fifty years: the inland race keniensis of the Chestnut-fronted Helmet Shrike Prionops scopifrons from the fast disappearing Meru Forest, and the rare western race somereni of the Yellow-rumped Seed-eater Serinus atrogularis from Sioport near Port Victoria. The Ngulia Ringing Group was well supported by both local and overseas ringers. A total of 9700 Palaearctic migrants was ringed and the season’s report will be found beginning on p. 172. Our concern continues over the status of the Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus in the Kakamega area. Numbers appear to be exceptionally low with possibly only two individuals surviving. 141 142 East African Bird Report 1991 Tanzania and Uganda Sadly we have little to report from Tanzania, and once again we appeal to those active ornithologists and birders there, together with visitors to the country, to send in their records, no matter how mundane they may appear. We understand that several ornithological projects are under way in Tanzania, and we would like to be able to include details in Scopus for the worldwide readership the journal enjoys. As mentioned in last year’s report, we are pleased to see a growing interest in Uganda forest bird communities, and we are fortunate to have received details of an extensive survey of ten Uganda Forest Reserves undertaken during April to November by Ian Francis and Nicola Penford. Their records appear on pp. 163- 170 and we hope others in Kenya and Tanzania will be encouraged to provide similar sets of records. D. A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi Species report Records collated by D. A. Turner Abbreviations used after species’ names: S(A): Scarce species, five or fewer East African records S(B): Scarce species, six to 25 East African records R: Requested species: species of special interest whose status requires clarification E: Records showing an Extension of Range Records included for their Numerical interest D: Records of migrants whose Dates are of interest M: Records of Miscellaneous interest. East African Bird Report 1991 143 Kenya: Afrotropical and oceanic species PODICIPEDIDAE GREBES Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe N: numbers continue to decline: max counts of 11 Oloiden, Naivasha, 9 Lake Nakuru and 4 Lake Baringo during Jan (KWWG); 4 Lake Nakuru Jun—Jul, increasing to 12 by late Nov (several observers). Podiceps nigricollis Black-necked Grebe N: Present Lake Elmentaita Aug—Dec with max of c. 50 mid-Aug (MAAC); >100 Lakes Nakuru and Bogoria late Oct (DKR), >40 Lake Bogoria 4 Nov (DEW), >1000 Lake Nakuru 11 Nov (DKR). Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe N: max count at Lake Nakuru NP 7858 13 Jan (KWWG). DIOMEDEIDAE ALBATROSSES Diomedea sp. [possibly Shy Albatross D. cauta S(A)]: 1 off Shimoni 1 Oct (WC). PROCELLARIIDAE PETRELS, SHEARWATERS Bulweria fallax Jouanin’s Petrel S(A): an emaciated specimen collected 8 km N of Mtwapa Creek near Mombasa 3 Dec (IP). Third Kenya record. See Scopus 16: 54-55. Puffinus lherminieri Audubon’s Shearwater S(B): 1 off Mtwapa 16-17 Dec (IP). Puffinus pacificus Wedge-tailed Shearwater S(B): several (max 12) off Mtwapa 30 Nov—5 Dec (IP). PELECANIDAE PELICANS Pelecanus onocrotalus White Pelican N: max 18 362 Lake Nakuru 13 Jan (KWWG). B: bred throughout the year at Lake Elmentaita, peaking Jan-Feb and Jul—Aug (MACC). Pelecanus rufescens Pink-backed Pelican N: max 112 Lake Nakuru 21 Jul (KWWG). PHALACROCORACIDAE CORMORANTS Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant N: max 2906 Lake Nakuru 13 Jan (KWWG). Phalacrocorax africanus Long-tailed Cormorant N: max 731 Lake Naivasha 13 Jan (KWWG) and >800 roosting on papyrus island there 14-15 Nov (DEW). ANHINGIDAE DARTERS Anhinga rufa African Darter N: 2 Oloiden, Naivasha Jan (KWWG), 11 Lake Baringo mid-Jan (KWWG), >35 flying towards Lake Jipe 25 Feb (MACC, DAT), many Mwea National Reserve 26—27 Aug (PF, PS), 2 Central Island, Lake Turkana 11 Oct (DAT), 1 Mzima Springs, Tsavo West NP 21 Nov (DKR), 1 Lake Naivasha 15 Nov - (DEW). 144 East African Bird Report 1991 FREGATIDAE FRIGATEBIRDS Fregata sp. frigatebird species R: female off Lamu 21 Oct (RB). ARDEIDAE HERONS, BITTERNS Ixobrychus minutus payesii Little Bittern R: recorded from Ibonia Estate, Kiambu all year, Mwea National Reserve Aug, Lake Naivasha Jul, Aug, Nov, Lake Nakuru Jul and Lake Baringo Jan, Jun (Several observers). Ixobrychus sturmu Dwarf Bittern R: 2 Mwea National Reserve 26-27 Aug (PJF, PS), singles at Ngulia 17-18 Nov, 9 Dec (BWF, DJP, IR, NR), 1 Salt Lick Lodge 27 Nov (TS), 1 Mudanda, Tsavo East NP 1 Dec (RB). Ardea cinerea Grey Heron N: 450 Lake Nakuru 13 Jan (KWWG) reducing to 143 on 21 Jul. Ardeola idae Madagascar Squacco Heron R: records from Lake Bogoria Jun (TS) and Thika Sep (BWF). Ardeola rufiventris Rufous-bellied Heron R: present Mara GR throughout the year, max 9 (several observers). Egretta ardesiaca Black Heron R: 3 Musiara Swamp, Mara GR Sep—Oct (BWF); 3 Lake Baringo Nov, | Lake Nakuru 7 Nov, 1 Lake Naivasha Oct-Nov (DEW); 2 Tsavo East NP mid-Dec (PL), 10-12 Lake Elmenteita Nov-Dec (MACC). Egretta garzetta Little Egret N: 176 Lake Nakuru 13 Jan and 43 there 21 Jul (KWWG). Egretta gularis African Reef Heron R: | light phase Lake Turkana 10 Oct (DAT), 1! dark phase Mida Creek 17 Nov (DEW). Gorsachius leuconotus White-backed Night Heron S(B): | sub-adult Kichwa Tembo, Mara GR Feb—Mar (BWEF); an adult and a juvenile Mwea National Reserve 27 Aug (PJF, PS). Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night Heron N: Lake Nakuru: 148 on 13 Jan (KWWG), >200 11 Feb (DKR), but only | on 21 Jub}. K WWG). M: 2 in dry river bed N of Archer’s Post 2 Nov (DEW). CICONIIDAE STORKS Anastomus lamelligerus Open-billed Stork M: 4 Mara GR 29 Jan (DF), 2 North Kinangop 2 Feb (RB), 2 Nairobi NP 14 Jul (RB), 100 Aruba Dam, Tsavo East NP | Dec (RB). Ciconia episcopus Woolly-necked Stork MB: away from usual sites at the coast and in the southeast: 1 Nairobi NP 3 Nov (RB), | Masinga Dam 30 Jun (DAT), 1 Marich Pass 8 Oct (DAT). Leptoptilos crumeniferus Marabou Stork N: 797 Lake Nakuru 13 Jan and 537 there 21 Jul (KWWG); >800 Lake Magadi 20 Feb (DAT). Mycteria ibis Yellow-billed Stork N: 1181 Lake Nakuru 13 Jan and 1621 there 21 Jul (KWWG). Platalea alba African Spoonbill N: 234 Lake Nakuru 13 Jan and 313 there 21 Jul (KWWG). East African Bird Report 1991] 145 PHOENICOPTERIDAE FLAMINGOS Phoeniconaias minor Lesser Flamingo N: 10 463 Lake Elmenteita Jan, 15 102 Lake Nakuru 13 Jan and 93 121 there 21 Jul (KWWG). Phoenicopterus ruber Greater Flamingo N: 9937 Lake Nakuru 13 Jan and 2395 there 21 Jul (KWW6G). ANATIDAE DUCKS, GEESE Anas undulata Yellow-billed Duck N: >1000 O1 Bolossat 19 Sep were of the northern race rueppelli (DAT); >50 Karen, Nairobi mid-Sep (DKR). - Netta erythrophthalma Southern Pochard N: >400 Lake Naivasha 15 Nov (DEW). Oxyura maccoa Maccoa Duck N: c. 70 Dundori near Nakuru 20 Jan (DF). Thalassornis leuconotus White-backed Duck N: 14 Lake Naivasha Jan (KWWG), >100 Lake Paradise, Marsabit late Nov (IR, NR), 8 Taita Hills/Salt Lick Lodge 18 Dec. (PL). ACCIPITRIDAE BIRDS OF PREY Gypohierax angolensis Palm-nut Vulture ME: 1-2 present throughout the year at Samburu GR (TS). Neophron monachus Hooded Vulture N: 72 together at Lamu 19 Oct (RB). Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeyer M: | over Wundanyi, Taita Hills 12 Nov (BWP). Circus ranivorus African Marsh Harrier M: 1 near Kieni 12 Jul (DAT), 1 Kisumu 10 Nov (DEW). Circaetus cinerascens Banded Snake Eagle M: recorded Mara GR Jan (DF) and Kakamega area Nov (DEW). Accipiter minullus Little Sparrowhawk R: recorded Kiambu Forest Feb (JRPC), Samburu GR and Gedi Forest, both Nov (DEW). Accipiter ovampensis Ovampo Sparrowhawk R: | northwest Mara GR 7 and 12 Nov (BWF, DEW). Butastur rufipennis Grasshopper Buzzard N: 1 70 km E of Thika 5 Jan (DAT), 6 Laké Jipe 13 Nov (BWP), >30 Tsavo West NP 16 Nov (DEW). Kaupifalco monogrammicus Lizard Buzzard E: | Karen, Nairobi 28 Jul (DAT). Aviceda cuculoides Cuckoo Hawk R: recorded from Naro Moru (Jan), northwest Mara GR Jul and Oct, Kieni Forest Nov (SR, BWF, JHF). Chelictinia riocourii Swallow-tailed Kite R: recorded from Nairobi NP Jan, Buffalo Springs GR Oct and Nov, Lake Nakuru Nov and Dec (several observers). Macheiramphus alcinus Bat Hawk R: recorded from Samburu GR Jun and Aug (TS), Mara GR Nov (DEW). FALCONIDAE FALCONS Falco alopex Fox Kestrel R: 1 Central Island, Lake Turkana 11 Oct (DAT). Falco chicquera Red-necked Falcon M: 2 Karawa, N of Malindi 28 Jul (JHF), 1 Buffalo Springs GR 28 Oct and 7 Nov (BWF, DKR). 146 East African Bird Report 199] Falco fasciinucha Taita Falcon S(B): a pair on Ololokwe Sep—Nov (IR, NR, ST). Falco rupicoloides White-eyed Kestrel E: a few Leroghi plains near Maralal 18 Dec (DAT, ADFW). PHASIANIDAE QUAILS, FRANCOLINS Coturnix chinensis Blue Quail R: several northwest Mara GR late Mar and Apr (ML). Francolinus levaillantii Red-winged Francolin R: 1 Mungatsi, Mumias, 30 Jun (TS), several around Koru 20-21 Jul (DAT), 5 northwest Mara GR 26 Nov (TS). Ptilopachus petrosus Stone Partridge R: heard calling at South Horr 29 Dec (MACC). NUMIDIDAE GUINEAFOWLS Guttera pucherani Crested Guineafowl N: present Kitovu Forest, Taveta Feb (MACC, DAT), 32 Sokoke Forest 1 May (JHF), 3 Mountain Lodge 25 Aug (FN), pair with 9 young northwest Mara GR 18 Oct (BWP), >20 Shimba Hills NP 19 Nov (DEW). TURNICIDAE BUTTON QUAILS, QUAIL PLOVER Ortyxelos meiffreni Quail Plover R: 2 Tsavo West NP 12 Dec (DH). Turnix sylvatica Button Quail M: singles ringed at Ngulia 1 and 7 Dec (GCB, DJP). RALLIDAE RAILS, CRAKES Gallinula angulata Lesser Moorhen M: | near Thika 28 Sep (BWF). Porphyrio alleni Allen’s Gallinule R: away from the regular Rift Valley sites: 2 Ras Ngomeni pools N of Malindi 28 Jul (JHF), 1 Sioport near Port Victoria 26 Sep (BWF, DAT). Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Gallinule N: small numbers Lake Naivasha and Thika in Jan (DF), 2 Nairobi NP 6 Oct (DKR). Sarothrura rufa Red-chested Pygmy Crake R: several calling from a swamp at Rumuruti 19 Sep (DAT). Fulica cristata Red-knobbed Coot N: 15 276 Lake Naivasha and a further 4122 at Oloiden during Jan (KWWG). HELIORNITHIDAE FINFOOTS Podiceps senegalensis African Finfoot R: | female Nairobi NP 28 Oct (SR). OTIDIDAE BUSTARDS Eupodotis hartlaubii Hartlaub’s Bustard M: several Tsavo East NP 19 Dec (PL). Neotis denhami Denham’s Bustard E: | Kipsing, near Barsalinga, 11 Aug (MACC). JACANIDAE JACANAS Microparra capensis Lesser Jacana R: | Kisumu Yacht Club 5 Nov (BWF). East African Bird Report 199] 147 ROSTRATULIDAE PAINTED SNIPES Rostratula benghalensis Painted Snipe R: recorded from Lake Elmentaita Aug and Oct, Lake Bogoria Jun, Lake Baringo Jul—Nov (several observers). CHARADRIIDAE PLOVERS Charadrius pallidus Chestnut-banded Sandplover E: 2 Amboseli NP 13 Jun (TS). BURHINIDAE THICKNEES Burhinus vermiculatus Water Thicknee M: 2 Manda Island, Lamu District 21 Oct (RB). LARIDAE GULLS, TERNS Anous stolidus Common Noddy R: 14 Watamu Marine Park 19 Aug and large numbers off Watamu 12 Dec (JHF). Anous tenuirostris Lesser Noddy S(B): 8 Watamu Marine Park 19 Aug (JHF). Sterna anaethetus Bridled Tern R: 25-50 pairs Whale Island, Watamu Marine Park 19 Aug (JHF).. Sterna dougallii Roseate Tern N: 2000-3000 pairs Whale Island, Watamu Marine Park 19 Aug (JHF). RYNCHOPIDAE SKIMMERS Rynchops flavirostris African Skimmer R: recorded fronr Mwea National Reserve Aug, Lake Baringo Oct, Lake Nakuru Jan and Nov, Lake Turkana Mar and Oct (several observers). PTEROCLIDAE SANDGROUSE Pterocles quadricinctus Four-banded Sandgrouse R: 2 Mugie Ponds, Laikipia 24 Jun cS): COLUMBIDAE PIGEONS Columba arquatrix Olive Pigeon E: c. 10 flying high from Mt Kenya towards the Mathew’s Range over Barsalanga area 9-10 Aug (MACC). Turtur afer Blue-spotted Wood Dove E: 1 near Molo 2 Feb (JRPC), 1 near Mau Summit 18 Jul (DAT). Treron australis Green Pigeon E: 1 Baringo 24 Mar was only the second record for the area (TS). PsSITTACIDAE PARROTS Agapornis pullaria Red-headed Lovebird R: recorded from Busia, Mumias and Webuye areas (several observers). Poicephalus meyeri Brown Parrot E: several Rumuruti 19 Sep (DAT). 148 East African Bird Report 1991 Psittacus erithacus Grey Parrot R: | at the Ikuyu River, Kakamega 3 Nov (BWF) and 2 seen there mid-Nov (IR, NR). MUSOPHAGIDAE TURACOS Crinifer zonurus Eastern Grey Plantain-eater E: | Keekorok, Mara GR 23 Jan (DF). Tauraco porphyreolophus Violet-crested Turaco R: pair Ololua Ridge, Karen, Nairobi in Jan (JW); pair still present in the Mua Hills despite continuing habitat destruction (BWF). CUCULIDAE CUCKOOS Cercococcyx montanus Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo R: 2+ Irangi Forest Station, Mt Kenya 3 Mar (RB). Clamator levaillantii Levaillant’s Cuckoo R: 1 Naro Moru 19-27 Jan (DF et al.), Juv Nairobi NP 19 Jun (DAT), 1 Kakamega Forest 8 Nov (DEW). Cuculus clamosus Black Cuckoo R: away from regular sites: | Mara GR 1 Jan (JRPC), 2 near Mweiga 31 Jan (JRPC), present Lake Elmentaita Apr-Dec (MACC). Cuculus gularis African Cuckoo R: seen Lake Elmentaita May, Aug and Sep (MACC). Ceuthmochares aereus Yellowbill M: 2 Kiambu Forest 17 Sep, 1, 15 Oct (JRPC), 1 near Voi 12 Nov (BWE). Centropus grillii Black Coucal R: present Mara GR Jan—Apr, breeding suspected (BWF), 1 Lake Bogoria 12 Nov (DKR). Centropus monachus Blue-headed Coucal E: pair close to the Olololoo escarpment northwest Mara GR 17 Oct (BWEF). STRIGIDAE OWLS Asio capensis African Marsh Owl M: | northwest Mara GR 26 Mar (ML), 1 near Eldoret 11 Aug (TS). Scotopelia peli Pel’s Fishing Owl R: 2 sightings along the Mara River from balloons during Aug—Sep (ML). CAPRIMULGIDAE NIGHTJARS Caprimulgus clarus Slender-tailed Nightjar R: singles ringed Ngulia 12 Nov and 6 Dec (GCB, DJP). Caprimulgus donaldsoni Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar R: 8 anes Negulia 13-30 Nov (GCB, DJP). Caprimulgus fraenatus Dusky Nightjar R: 3 Nairobi NP 9 Nov (RB), 2 ringed Ngulia 3 and 13 Nov (GCB, DJP), present Lake Elmentaita Jan-—Sep (MACC). Caprimulgus inornatus Plain Nightjar R: 18 ringed Ngulia 13 Nov-4 Dec (GCB, DJP). Macrodipteryx vexillarius Pennant-winged Nightjar R: 1 male Samburu GR 20-22 Jun (TS). East African Bird Report 1991 149 APODIDAE SWIFTS Apus berliozi Forbes-Watson’s Swift S(B): >40 over Mida Creek at dusk 14 and 28 Nov (BWF, DH, DJP). Neafrapus boehmi Bohm’s Spinetail E: 1 Meru Forest 30 Oct (BWF). Schoutedenapus myoptilus Scarce Swift R: small numbers over Nairobi-Kiambu during Jan—Mar (JRPC, DAT), 3 over Ibonia Estate, Kiambu 13 Sep (JRPC). ALCEDINIDAE KINGFISHERS Alcedo quadribrachys Shining Blue Kingfisher S(A): 1 Alupe near Busia 2 Sep (IR). Halcyon albiventris Brown-hooded Kingfisher E: pair resident at Blue Posts, Thika throughout the year (BWF). MEROPIDAE BEE-EATERS Merops bullockoides White-fronted Bee-eater E: several including juveniles around Rombo near Loitokitok 25-26 Feb (MACC, DAT), several along Mara River below Olololoo Escarpment Jan—Mar (MC, BWF). Merops nubicus Carmine Bee-eater (records away from usual sites) E: 1 Mtito Andei 9 Nov (DJP), 2 Lake Elmentaita 30 Nov (DAT). Merops revoilii Somali Bee-eater E: 1 c. 10 km S of Mzima Springs 12 Dec (DJP). CORACIIDAE ROLLERS Coracias abyssinica Abyssinian Roller R: 2 Lake Bogoria 22 Jan (DKR), 1 there 4-12 Nov (DKR, DEW), | Dida Galgalla desert 23 Nov (IR, NR). Coracias caudata Lilac-breasted Roller E: at least 3 of the Somali race Jorti in Samburu GR 31 Oct—1 Nov (DEW), 2 lorti Tsavo East NP 19 Dec (PL). Eurystomus glaucurus Broad-billed Roller M: >25 near Muhoroni 21 Jul (DAT), 5 near Busia 24 Sep (BWF). BUCEROTIDAE HORNBILLS Bucorvus cafer Ground Hornbill M: pair Kakamega Nature Reserve 30 Jan (MACC, DAT). CAPITONIDAE BARBETS Gymnobucco bonapartei Grey-throated Barbet E: small numbers now resident in forest patches on Olololoo Escarpment northwest Mara GR (BWF). Lybius guifsobalito Black-billed Barbet E: | Olololoo Escarpment northwest Mara GR 12-13 Jan (BWF, DJP). Lybius melanopterus Brown-breasted Barbet E: several in fruiting figs at Rombo near Loitokitok 25—26 Feb (MACC, DAT). Pogoniulus simplex Green Tinkerbird M: singles Sokoke Forest 11 Nov and 14 Dec (JHF, IR, NR). Trachylaemus purpuratus Yellow-billed Barbet E: | on forested slopes of the Elgeyu 150 East African Bird Report 199] escarpment at the south end of the Kerio Valley near Kenya Fluorspar Mine in Dec (NW). INDICATORIDAE HONEYGUIDES Indicator meliphilus Pallid Honeyguide R: recorded from Maralal Jun (TS), Saiwa Swamp Nov (TS). Prodotiscus regulus Wahlberg’s Honeybird E: | Mwea National Reserve 26-27 Aug (EE. ES): PICIDAE WOODPECKERS Jynx ruficollis Red-throated Wryneck R: recorded from Kabete Jan, Kiambu and Nakuru NP throughout the year (JRPC, DF, RB). Picoides obsoletus Brown-backed Woodpecker R: | seen sporadically throughout the year at Windsor Golf & Country Club, Kiambu, (JRPC), | in juniper forest at Maralal 3 Nov (DEW). ALAUDIDAE LARKS Calandrella somalica Rufous Short-toed Lark R: >30 of the race megaensis on the Leroghi plateau near Maralal were in song and display flight on 25 Nov (IR, NR); many more present there 17-18 Dec but only a few displaying and in song as area dried out (DAT, ADF-W). Mirafra williamsi Williams’s Bush Lark R: 5 near Turbi, Dida Galgalla desert, 23 Nov (IR, NR). HIRUNDINIDAE SWALLOWS AND MARTINS Hirundo atrocaerulea Blue Swallow R: Male in full plumage, Sio River, Mumias, 4 Nov (BWF). CORVIDAE CROWS Ptilostomus afer Piapiac M: 3 near Busia, 26 Sep (BWF, DAT). TIMALIIDAE BABBLERS Alcippe abyssinica African Hill Babbler E: 1 Migori River NE of Lolgorien 7 Oct was the first for the area (BWP). Turdoides hindei Hinde’s Babbler R: 3 Rukenya, Embu District, 19 Nov (IR, NR). Turdoides melanops Black-lored Babbler M: 2 at Lake Baringo 11-14 May were the first for the area (RB, TS); several records from near Olololoo escarpment northwest Mara GR (BWF); | at Maralal with a party of Brown Babblers T. plebejus 2-3 Nov (DEW). CAMPEPHAGIDAE CUCKOO SHRIKES Campephaga flava Black Cuckoo Shrike M: 2 adult males ringed Ngulia 16 Nov East African Bird Report 1991 151 (GCB, DJP) were the first adult males caught there; 1 near Maralal 18 Dec (ADFW, DAT). Campephaga phoenicea Red-shouldered Cuckoo Shrike M: records from Mungatsi, Mumias 30 Jun and Alupe, Busia 24 Sep (BWF, TS, DAT). Coracina caesia Grey Cuckoo Shrike M: 1 Karissia Hills near Maralal 28 Dec (MACC). PYCNONOTIDAE BULBULS Andropadus curvirostris Cameroon Sombre Greenbul E: present in riverine vegeta- tion along the Migori River NE of Lolgorien 7 Oct (BWF) was the first record for the area and a considerable southerly extension; 3 on forested slopes of Elgeyu escarpment at south end of the Kerio Valley 30 Dec (NW). Andropadus importunus Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul M: small numbers resident in thick bush below the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika (several observers); 1 Naro Moru 31 Oct (DEW). Andropadus virens Little Greenbul E: common in riverine vegetation along the Migori River and in forest patches on the Olololoo escarpment northwest Mara GR (BWP). Chlorocichla flavicollis Yellow-throated Leaflove E: present in riverine vegetation along the Migori River NE of Lolgorien 7 Oct; the first record for the area and a considerable southerly extension of range (BWF). Chlorocichla flaviventris Yellow-bellied Greenbul M: | ringed at granite 1 Dec was the first for the site (GCB, DJP). Chlorocichla laetissima Joyful Greenbul E: resident in a forest patch on the Olololoo escarpment northwest Mara GR marks a considerable southerly extension of range (BWF). Phyllastrephus cerviniventris Grey-olive Greenbul R: small numbers present in the Kiambu-Thika area around the Windsor G&CC and Blue Posts Hotel (several observers). TURDIDAE THRUSHES Alethe poliocephala Brown-chested Alethe M: | Irangi Forest, Mt Kenya 3 Mar (RB), 1 Kieni Forest, southern Aberdares 21 Jul (RB). Cercomela scotocerca Brown-tailed Rock Thrush M: >6 Central Island, Lake Turkana 11 Oct (DAT). Cercotrichas hartlaubi Brown-backed Scrub Robin R: common in cultivation below the Nandi escarpment and at the edge of Kakamega National Reserve late Jan (MACC, DAT); 3 Mungatsi, Mumias 25 Jan (DF); 1 Naro Moru 30 Oct (DEW); singles at Ibonia Estate and Windsor G&CC, Kiambu District throughout the year (JRPC). Cossypha natalensis Red-capped Robin Chat M: common in woodland behind the Olololoo escarpment, northwest Mara GR where sympatric with C. heuglini, C. niveicapilla, C. caffra and Dryocichloides poliopterus (BWF). 152 East African Bird Report 1991 Cossypha niveicapilla Snowy-headed Robin Chat E: common in forest close to the Olololoo escarpment northwest Mara GR and in riverine woodland along the nearby Migori River 7 Oct (BWF): a considerable southerly extension of known range. Dryocichloides poliopterus Grey-winged Ground Robin RN: present in riverine woodland along the Migori River NE of Lolgorien 7 Oct (BWF): a considerable southerly extension of known range. Monticola rufocinerea Little Rock Thrush R: records from northwest Mara GR Jan and Aug, and Mweiga, Aug (several observers). Sheppardia gunningi East Coast Akalat R: 2 Sokoke Forest 12 and 14 Dec (IR, NR). Turdus pelios African Thrush M: 1 in riverine vegetation along the Migori River NE of Lolgorien 7 Oct (BWF). Turdus tephronotus Bare-eyed Thrush M: 1 S of Kajiado 3 Nov (RB). SYLVIIDAE WARBLERS Apalis pulchra Black-collared Apalis E: present along the Migori River NE of Lolgorien 7 Oct (BWF): a considerable southerly extension of known range. Bradypterus carpalis White-winged Warbler M: common in papyrus swamps at Kisumu and Sioport all year (BWF, DAT). Camaroptera simplex Grey Wren Warbler M: the race undosa widespread over much of the Mara GR throughout the year (several observers). Chloropeta gracilirostris Papyrus Yellow Warbler R: pair Kisumu Yacht Club area 10 Nov (DEW), 20 Nov (TS) and 2 Dec (IR, NR). Cisticola aberrans Rock-loving Cisticola R: several pairs present all year on the Oloololo escarpment NW Mara GR (several observers). Cisticola bodessa Boran Cisticola M: common resident on the Tambach escarpment (TS) as well as usual site at the junction of the Meru-Isiolo road near Timau; also 1 in full song Maralal 17-18 Dec (ADFW, DAT). Cisticola fulvicapilla Tabora Cisticola M: widespread resident throughout acacia country in the Mara GR (several observers). Cisticola lateralis Whistling Cisticola M: pair resident along the Sio River, Mumias, and breeding Aug—Sep (BWF, DAT, IR). Cisticola woosnami Trilling Cisticola M: common throughout the northwest Mara GR around the Olololoo escarpment (several observers). Eremomela pusilla Green-backed Eremomela M: small numbers resident in the Kerio Valley below Kabarnet, mainly near the Kerio River (DAT, BWF, TS); 2 Kongalai escarpment 14 Aug (TS). Heliolais erythroptera Red-winged Warbler R: 1 at Awasi 26 Jan (DF). Hyliota flavigaster Yellow-bellied Hyliota R: several pairs resident along the Olololoo escarpment northwest Mara GR (several observers). Parisoma lugens Brown Parisoma M: records from Kakamega, Jan and Nairobi, Apr and Sep (RB, GCB, MACC, DAT). Prinia leucopogon White-chinned Prinia M: several in riverine vegetation along the Migori River NE of Lolgorien 7 Oct (BWF). East African Bird Report 1991 153 Schoenicola platyura Fan-tailed Warbler M: records from Mara GR, Jul and Kakamega, Nov (SR, DEW). Sylvietta isabellina Somali Long-billed Crombec M: | near Wamba 23 Jun (TS). MUSCICAPIDAE FLYCATCHERS Muscicapa gambagae Gambaga Flycatcher S(B): 1 Shaba GR 29 Jun (DAT); 1 adult ringed at night, Ngulia 13 Nov, was the first adult recorded there (GCB, DJP). Muscicapa lendu Chapin’s Flycatcher S(B): singles Kakamega Forest 24 Jan and 19 Nov (DF, TS). _ Myioparus plumbeus Lead-coloured Flycatcher M: records from Lake Baringo, Jan and the Kerio Valley, Sep (DF, DAT). Batis minor Black-headed Batis M: | Takwa ruins, Manda Island, Lamu District 21 Oct (RB). Batis orientalis Grey-headed Batis R: present throughout the year in the Kerio Valley below Kabarnet (several observers); pair Tsavo East NP, 1 Feb (DF). Platysteira peltata Black-throated Wattle-eye E: present around Rombo, near Loitokitok, 25-26 Feb (MACC, DAT); 1 Windsor G&CC, Kiambu District 26 Oct (JRPC, DAT). Trochocercus cyanomelas Crested Flycatcher M: pair Meru Forest on several occasions throughout the year (BWF) were the first records from the Mt Kenya—Meru area for several years. MOTACILLIDAE WAGTAILS AND PIPITS Anthus caffer Little Tawny Pipit R: 6 near Siana Springs, eastern Mara GR, 10 Nov (BWF) and a pair in the same area holding territory, early Dec. Anthus melindae Malindi Pipit M: 2 Karawa, 70 km N of Malindi, 28 Jul (JHF). Anthus sokokensis Sokoke Pipit RB: pair with newly fledged juvenile, Sokoke Forest, 2 Nov (JHF). Tmetothylacus tenellus Golden Pipit M: | ringed Ngulia, 15 Nov (GCB, DJP). MALACONOTIDAE BUSH SHRIKES Laniarius luehderi Lihder’s Bush Shrike E: pair in forest patch on the Olololoo escarpment northwest Mara GR, 18 Oct was the first for the area of a bird which appeared to be resident (BWF); the most southerly record to date. Laniarius mufumbiri Papyrus Gonolek R: common in papyrus swamps at Kisumu and Sioport throughout the year (several observers). Tchagra minuta Marsh Tchagra M: pair Kakamega Forest glade, 28-31 Jan (MACC, DAT). LANIIDAE SHRIKES Corvinella melanoleuca Magpie Shrike N: several pairs resident in the eastern Mara GR near Siana Springs (BWF). 154 East African Bird Report 1991 Lanius excubitorius Grey-backed Fiscal E: party of 4, 15 km N of Rumuruti, 19 Dec (ADFW, DAT). Lanius mackinnoni Mackinnon’s Shrike E: a few in riverine woodland and on edges of clearings behind the Olololoo escarpment, northwest Mara GR, 7 Oct was a considerable southerly extension of known range (BWP). PRIONOPIDAE HELMET SHRIKES Prionops poliolopha Grey-crested Helmet Shrike R: records from Lake Nakuru NP, Jan and the Mara GR, most months (DF, BWF). Prionops scopifrons Chestnut-fronted Helmet Shrike M: party of 6, Meru Forest, 30 Oct (BWF) was the first record of the (presumed) race keniensis for almost 50 years. STURNIDAE STARLINGS Lamprotornis chloropterus Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling E: flock of 13 at base of Mt Nyiru, 18 km N of South Horr, 29 Dec (MACC). Lamprotornis purpureus Purple Glossy Starling R: 3 at Mungatsi, Mumias, 30 Nov (IR, NR). Spreo shelleyi Shelley’s Starling R: 15 on road between Kwale and Taru, 16 Nov (BWF). NECTARINIIDAE SUNBIRDS Anthreptes neglectus Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird M: pair Shimba Hills NP 16 Nov (BWF). Nectarinia bouvieri Orange-tufted Sunbird M: 2-3 in forest glade, Kakamega, 28-— 31 Jan (MACC, DAT). Nectarinia nectarinioides Smaller Black-bellied Sunbird E: male at Tana River Bridge on the main Nairobi—Nyeri road, 18 January (DF). Nectarinia superba Superb Sunbird M: 2 males in riverine vegetation N of Alupe, Busia, 26 Sep (BWF, DAT) The second and third Kenya records in the last 50 years. PLOCEIDAE WEAVERS Anomalospiza imberbis Parasitic Weaver RN: at least 100 in a huge mixed flock with Quelea quelea at edge of Nairobi NP, late May (FN). Euplectes nigroventris Zanzibar Red Bishop M: present around Rombo, near Loitokitok, 25-26 Feb (MACC, DAT). Ploceus golandi Clarke’s Weaver R: present Sokoke Forest early Feb, also late Aug— Nov (JHF et al.). Ploceus luteolus Little Weaver EB: race kavirondensis: a few resident in the vicinity of Siana Springs, eastern Mara GR, with active nest in early Dec (BWF). Ploceus subaureus Golden Weaver MB: pair building nest at edge of a Speke’s Weaver P. spekei colony in a small patch of papyrus at Windsor G&CC, Kiambu District, 30 Oct (JRPC). East African Bird Report 199] 155 Passer castanopterus Somali Sparrow RB: c. 8 at nest holes in eroded river bank near Kapedo, N of Baringo, 11 Dec (TS). ESTRILDIDAE WAXBILLS _ Estrilda paludicola Fawn-breasted Waxbill E: present in clearings behind Olololoo escarpment, northwest Mara GR during Oct (BWF) was the most southerly locality to date. Estrilda troglodytes Black-rumped Waxbill M: 2 Ahero Rice Scheme 25 Jan (DF). Hypargos niveoguttatus Peters’ Twinspot M: a male and a female ringed at Ngulia, 12 and 14 Dec were the first records for the site (GCB, DJP). Lagonosticta rara Black-breasted Firefinch M: a few in cultivation N of Alupe, Busia, late Jan (MACC, DAT). Lagonosticta rhodopareia Jameson’s Firefinch M: present around Rombo, near Loitokitok, 25-26 Feb (MACC, DAT). Mandingoa nitidula Green-backed Twinspot E: group of >5 in forest at the Windsor G&CC, Kiambu District, 21 Mar (JRPC). Ortygospiza locustella Locust Finch S(A): 5 Mungatsi, Mumias, 20 Nov (TS), presumed to have been of the race uvelensis. Second Kenya record. Pyrenestes ostrinus Black-bellied Seed-cracker S(A): 2 near Alupe, Busia, 2 Sep (IR). | Second Kenya record. Spermophaga ruficapilla Red-headed Bluebill M: of the race cana: 1 Meru Forest edge, 30 Oct (BWP). Lonchura fringilloides Magpie Mannikin RE: 4 near Alupe, Busia, 2 Sep (IR) was the first record from western Kenya and only the second recent record for the country as a whole. FRINGILLIDAE BUNTINGS, CANARIES, SEED-EATERS Serinus atrogularis Yellow-rumped Seed-eater M: of the race somereni: a pair near Sioport, 26 Sep (BWF, DAT) was the first record of this race—considered a full species by some authors—for over 50 years. Serinus donaldsoni Grosbeak Canary E: 1 Mua Hills, 27 Nov (TS). Serinus koliensis Papyrus Canary R: resident in papyrus swamps around Kisumu (several observers). Serinus reichardi Stripe-breasted Seed-eater R: singles at Meru—Isiolo junction near Timau, 20 Jun, 17 Dec (ADFW, TS, DAT). Kenya: Palaearctic species Ixobrychus m. minutus Little Bittern R: 1 caught and ringed at night, Ngulia, 7 Dec (DJP, GCB). 156 East African Bird Report 199] Ciconia ciconia White Stork M: >25 oversummering at Lake Nakuru NP in mid-June (DAT). Ciconia nigra Black Stork R: records from Nairobi NP, Jan and Oct, Kitale, Feb; Limuru, Elmentaita, Nakuru, Mara GR (all Nov), Salt Lick Lodge, Dec (several observers). Platalea leucorodia Eurasian Spoonbill S(B): 1 Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana with African Spoonbills P. alba, 9-10 Oct (ND, DAT), 1 Lake Nakuru NP, 11 Nov (DKR). Anas acuta Northern Pintail N: 877 counted Lake Naivasha mid-Jan (KWWG). Anas clypeata Shoveler N: 699 counted Lake Naivasha mid-Jan (KWWG). Anas crecca Teal R: singles recorded from Mara GR (Jan, Oct) and Lakes Baringo and Naivasha (both Nov) (BWF, DEW). Anas querquedula Garganey N: 324 counted Lake Naivasha mid-Jan (KWWG),. Accipiter brevipes Levant Sparrowhawk S(A): | Ngulia 17 and IS Nov (BWF) was the fifth Kenya record. Accipiter nisus Eurasian Sparrowhawk S(B): singles at Ngulia 14 Nov, 3, 5, 6 Dec (DJP, DH, BWF). Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle S(B): 1 Lake Elmentaita 8-22 Jan (MACC, LAB), 1 immature Alupe Mission, 4 Nov (BWP), 1 Lake Nakuru NP 27 Nov (IR, NR). Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle S(B): 1 over Ngulia 17 Nov (BWF). Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagle R: singles Kisumu (10 Nov), Mara GR (15 Nov) and Ngulia (4 Dec) were the only records received (DJP, DKR, DEW). Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle R: singles: Central Island, Lake Turkana (11 Oct), Nairobi (2 Nov), Ngulia (4, 6 Nov, 14 Dec), Mara GR (8 Nov), Lake Jipe (11 Nov) (several observers). Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Eagle R: an immature bird over the Kinangop grasslands 22 Nov (DJP, DH). The rarities Committee has commented: “While considered nominate gallicus, immature pectoralis cannot be ruled out.” Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard R: | near Kilifi 13.Apr (JHF), 1 near Thika 26 Sep (BWEF), 1 over Ngulia 7 Nov (DJP), 1 Mara GR 15 Nov (DKR), 3 Kakamega area 24 Nov (DF). Pandion haliaetus Osprey N: 8 at Lake Naivasha mid-Jan (KWWG), 3-4 Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana 8—10 Oct (DAT). Falco amurensis Eastern Red-footed: 5 at Maungu 27 Mar (MACC), >50 near Tsavo Safari Camp (Mtito Andei) 28 Nov (DKR), singles over Ngulia 5, 6 Dec (DJP), >300 moving S of Ngulia 12 Dec (DJP). Falco concolor Seoty Falcon R: 1 Buffalo Springs GR 7 Nov (DKR), | adult Ngulia 12 Nov (DJP), 2 immatures Ngulia 14 Nov (DJP). Falco eleonorae Eleonora’s Falcon R: | Mungatsi, Mumias, 4 Nov (BWP), 1 Lake Naivasha 15 Nov (DEW), | Naro Moru 16 Nov (JHF), 1 Timau escarpment 17 Nov (JHF), 2 Kisumu | Dec (IR, NR). Falco pelegrinoides Barbary Falcon S(A): 1 Ololokwe 22 Nov (IR, NR). Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon R: of the race calidus: 1 Watamu 1 Nov (JHF), 1 Lake Elmentaita,23 Nov (MACC). East African Bird Report 1991 157 Falco subbuteo Eurasian Hobby N: groups of >10 around Naro Moru 24 Oct, Lake Elmentaita 10 Nov, Mzima Springs 21 Nov (all DKR). Crex crex Corncrake R: northward passage noted northwestern Mara GR 25 Mar-11 Apr with a max of 10 flushed in 2 km of grassland, 11 Apr (BWF, ML). Porzana porzana Spotted Crake S(B): 1 immature Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana, 10 Oct (ND, DAT). Charadrius dubius Little Ringed Plover R: 16 Lake Baringo mid-Jan (KWWG), 1 Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana 8 Oct (DAT), 3 Lake Elmentaita 9 Oct (MACC), 1 Lake Baringo 12 Nov (DKR), 2 on pond N of Mombasa 18 Nov (DEW), 2 south end of Lake Turkana 31 Dec (MACC), >30 on grassy area, Malindi, mid-Dec (TD). Charadrius hiaticula Ringed Plover N (inland): 46 Lake Baringo, 91 Lake Naivasha and Oloiden, and 161 Lake Nakuru NP all mid-Jan (KWWG). Charadrius mongolus Mongolian Sandplover R inland: 3 Lake Nakuru NP 13 Jan (KWWG), 1 Lake Elmentaita 30 Apr, 4 and 21 May and 17 Nov (MACC), 1 Lake Baringo 5 Nov (DEW), 1 south end Lake Turkana 31 Dec (MACC). Pluvialis fulva Pacific Golden Plover R: 1 Lake Baringo 3 Nov (TS) was the first record for the area. Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover R inland: singles Lake Elmentaita 28 Apr (MACC) and 24 Nov (DAT). Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper N: 241 counted at Lake Naivasha and Oloiden mid-Jan and 110 at Lake Baringo (KWWG); >60 Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana 8—12 Oct (DAT). Tringa erythropus Spotted Redshank R: central Rift Valley lakes: 3 Lake Naivasha, 9 Lake Baringo, 3 Lake Nakuru, in mid-Jan (KWWG); 6 Lake Nakuru NP 11 Feb (DKR). Western Kenya: 1 Ahero Rice Scheme 26 Jan, 1 Mara GR 29 Jan (both DF). Tringa totanus Redshank R: 1 Lake Nakuru 11 Feb (DKR). Gallinago media Great Snipe R: 2 Mungatsi, Mumias 29 Jan (MACC, DAT); 2 in dry grassland, northwest Mara GR 23 Apr (BWF). Calidris alba Sanderling inland R: | Lake Baringo 5 Nov and 3 Lake Nakuru NP 6 Nov (both DEW). Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper N: central Rift Valley lakes, mid-Jan: 56 Lake Magadi, >100 Lake Naivasha, 11 Lake Elmentaita, 214 Lake Nakuru NP, 12 Lake Baringo (KWWG). Calidris minuta Little Stint N: central Rift Valley lakes, mid-Jan: 833 Lake Magadi, >350 Lake Naivasha, 481 Lake Elmentaita, 3666 Lake Nakuru NP, 174 Lake Baringo (KWWG). Calidris temminckii Temminck’s Stint R: 9 Lake Baringo mid-Jan (KWWG) and 3 still there 8 May (TS), 1 Galana River, Tsavo East NP, 1 Feb (DF), 1 Lake Baringo 5 Nov (DEW), 2—3 Lake Naivasha 14-15 Nov (DEW), | northwest Mara GR 9 Dec (SR). Limicola falcinellus Broad-billed Sandpiper R: c. 4 Sabaki River mouth 14 Apr (TS, JHF). Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit R: mid-Jan: 10 Oloiden, 9 Nakuru NP, 7 Lake Baringo (all KWWG); 15 Ahero Rice Scheme 26 Jan (DF), 50 Lake Naivasha 10 Feb 158 East African Bird Report 1991 (DKR); 2 oversummering Lake Elmentaita 7 Jun (MACC) and 2 Lake Naivasha 7-8 Jun (TS); 8 Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana, 10 Oct (DAT), 5 Lake Baringo 12 Nov (DKR), >75 Lake Naivasha 15 Nov (DEW), >50 Amboseli NP 19 Nov (DKR). Philomachus pugnax Ruff N: central Rift Valley lakes, mid-Jan: 72 Lake Magadi, 781 Lake Naivasha, 106 Lake Elmentaita, 2633 Lake Nakuru NP, 38 Lake Baringo (KWWG). Arenaria interpres Turnstone R inland: 2 Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana 10 Oct (DAT), 2 Amboseli NP late Oct (MO). Phalaropus lobatus Red-necked Phalarope R: 3 Lake Elmentaita 9-10 Dec (MACC, BWFE). Burhinus oedicnemus Eurasian Stone Curlew R: | Nairobi NP 27 Nov (SR). Stercorarius pomarinus Pomarine Skua S(A): an adult pale phase Lake Nakuru NP 5 Nov (BWF), 1 immature Lake Nakuru NP 23 Nov (DH, DJP), an immature offshore between Malindi and Watamu 13 Dec (MACC). Larus argentatus Herring Gull R: 60 counted at Malindi 29 Nov were mostly adult and sub-adult and nearly all grey taimyrensis with only 5 heuglini (DJP). Larus genei Slender-billed Gull S(B): 2 oversummering Lake Nakuru NP 1-10 Jul (PR, TS) and 4 there on 5 Nov (BWE). Larus ridibundus Black-headed Gull RN: mid-Jan counts: 37 Lake Baringo, 23 Lake Nakuru NP, 34 Lake Naivasha (KWWG). Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern S(B): 1 Lake Baringo 2—6 Nov (several observ- ers). First inland Kenya record. Streptopelia turtur Turtle Dove S(A): 1 Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana 11 Oct (ND, DAT). Sixth Kenya record. Cuculus poliocephalus Asian Lesser Cuckoo R: 1 near Ngulia 15 Nov (BWP). Caprimulgus europaeus Eurasian Nightjar R: passage through Ngulia 8 Nov-4 Dec with 37 ringed (GCB, DJP). Jynx torquilla Eurasian Wryneck S(B): | Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana 9-11 Oct (ND, DAT). Delichon urbica House Martin N: >250 over Lake Nakuru NP 7 Nov (DEW). Irania gutturalis Irania R: good passage at Ngulia 11 Nov—17 Dec with 176 ringed (GCB, DJP). Phoenicurus phoenicurus Redstart R: singles ringed Ngulia 13 and 15 Nov (GCB, DJP), 1 Lake Naivasha 21 Dec (JW). Saxicola rubetra Whinchat R away from western Kenya: singles recorded at Solio— Mweiga plains 20 Jan, Lake Elmentaita 13-14 Mar, Nairobi NP 14 Apr, Lake Baringo 3 Nov, Lake Elmentaita 23 Nov, Kiambu District 28 Nov (several observ- ers). ! Acrocephalus arundinaceus Great Reed Warbler R: 2 ringed Ngulia 9 and 15 Dec (GCB, DJP). Acrocephalus griseldis Basra Reed Warbler R: good passage at Ngulia 12 Nov—17 Dec with 80 ringed (GCB, DJP). East African Bird Report 199] 159 Hippolais icterina Icterine Warbler R: singles at Marsabit 22 Nov (IR, NR), Ngulia (ringed) 7 Dec (GCB, DJP), Lake Baringo 12 Dec (TS). Wintering in small numbers in eastern Mara GR near Siana Springs keeping to canopy of acacia trees Dec (BWF). Hippolais languida Upcher’s Warbler R: passage at Ngulia 9 Nov—7 Dec with 30 ringed (GCB, DJP). Hippolais olivetorum Olive-tree Warbler R: good passage at Ngulia 12 Nov—7 Dec with 69 ringed including no less than 43 on 14 Nov (GCB, DJP). Locustella fluviatilis River Warbler R: 1 Nairobi NP, Athi River area, 21 Nov (DJP); passage through Ngulia 13 Nov—17 Dec with 177 ringed (GCB, DJP). _ Phylloscopus sibilatrix Wood Warbler S(B): 1 ringed Ngulia 7 Dec (GCB, DJP) and another seen 8 Dec (BWF). Sylvia nisoria Barred Warbler R: | Takwa ruins, Manda Island, Lamu District 21 Oct (RB); passage through Ngulia 7 Nov—17 Dec with 64 ringed (GCB, DJP). Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher R: immature present at Siana Springs eastern Mara GR from early Dec to the end of the year (BWF). Anthus cervinus Red-throated Pipit N: hundreds present in the Athi River basin area of Nairobi NP early Feb (DKR, DAT). Motacilla alba White Wagtail R: 2—3 present Windsor G&CC, Kiambu District, 3 Dec to end of the year (JRPC). Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail E: 1 Rombo, near Loitokitok 25 Feb (MACC, DAT); 1 Kalanga spring, Ngulia, on 3 Dec was unusual for the area (GCB, DJP). Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike R: southward passage birds: 1 Ferguson’s Gulf, Lake Turkana 10 Oct (ND, DAT), 1 Lake Elmentaita 20 Nov (MACC). Lanius nubicus Nubian Shrike S(A): | present Lake Baringo 5 Nov—14 Dec (several observers). Lanius senator Woodchat Shrike R: 1 adult Mara GR 28-30 Jan (RNH, DF); 2 adults Alupe, Busia, 4 Nov (BWP). Tanzania: Afrotropical records Ixobrychus minutus payesii Little Bittern R: 4 in Bwawani swamp, Zanzibar town, 3-7 Nov (ALA, DAT). Ardeola idae Madagascar Squacco Heron R: present Itona Estate, Mufindi, 19 Oct (EAdeL). Egretta ardesiaca Black Heron R: >6 Zanzibar town 3—7 Nov (ALA, DAT). Egretta garzetta dimorpha Little Egret N: large numbers around the coast of Zanzibar; one group of >75 in early Nov had more than 50 dark phase birds (ALA, DAT). Accipiter minullus Little Sparrowhawk R: records from Uzungwa Forest Reserve, Mufindi District, Jan and Pungaluma Farm, Mbeya District, Feb (both DCM). Accipiter ovampensis Ovampo Sparrowhawk R: 1 Tegemeo Farm, Mbeya District 2 Mar (DCM). 160 East African Bird Report 1991 Falco cuvieri African Hobby M: 1 Ngorongoro Crater rim 29 Dec (DKR). Porphyrio alleni Allen’s Gallinule R: 2 Bwawani swamp, Zanzibar town, 5 and 7 Nov (ALA, DAT). Porzana marginalis Striped Crake R: female Bwawani swamp, Zanzibar town 5 and 7 Nov (ALA, DAT). First record for Zanzibar. Sarothrura elegans Buff-spotted Pygmy Crake R: at least 2 calling (day and night) at 2000 m in Ihan’gana Forest Reserve, Mufindi District, 14 Jan (DCM). Rostratula benghalensis Painted Snipe R: 4 Bwawani swamp, Zanzibar town 3-7 Nov (ALA, DAT). Tauraco fischeri zanzibaricus Fischer’s Turaco M: pair at edge of Jozani Forest, Zanzibar, 23 Apr (ALA) was the first record of this race for many years. Clamator levaillantii Levaillant’s Cuckoo R: calling throughout Jan on Tegemeo Farm, Mbeya District and 2 there 1 Mar (DCM). Tyto capensis Cape Grass Owl R: 2 in short montane grassland at 1900 m near Mapanda village, Mufindi District, 24 Jan and 1 there 9 Jun (DCM). Bubo capensis Cape Eagle Owl M: 2 near Mapanda village, Mufindi District, 24 Jan (DCM). Merops hirundineus Swallow-tailed Bee-eater R: small family groups in Mbeya District, Apr-Jun (DCM). Coracias naevia Rufous-crowned Roller M: 1 Lake Masek, near Ndutu Lodge, eastern Serengeti plains 29 Dec (DKR). A scarce bird in Tanzania. Prodotiscus regulus Wahlberg’s Honeybird E: 1 Unga’s Bridge, Mufindi, 17 Aug was the first record for the area (EAdeL). Smithornis capensis African Broadbill RB: 2-3 heard daily 25 Jan—24 Feb in montane forest at 1400-1500 m in the Uzungwa Forest Reserve, Mufindi District; nest with 2 eggs found 27 Jan (DCM). Pitta angolensis African Pitta R: singles Itona Estate, Mufindi, on 6 and 30 May (EAdeL). Chersomanes albofasciata Spike-heeled Lark R: 2 on eroded grassland 44 km N of Arusha 3 Feb (TS, BWEF). Hirundo atrocaerulea Blue Swallow R: last date at Mufindi 22 Apr, and first there on 26 Sep (EAdeL). Dryocichloides lowei Iringa Ground Robin R: 3-6 heard and seen daily in Uzungwa Forest Reserve, Mufindi District, 13 May—8 Jun (DCM). Dryocichloides montanus Usambara Ground Robin RB: adult feeding newly fledged juvenile above Lushoto, West Usambaras, 23 Jan (TS, BWF). Modulatrix orostruthus Dappled Mountain Robin S(B): 2-6 daily in the Uzungwa Forest Reserve 25 Jan—24 Feb and 13 May-8 Jun in altitudinal range 1390-1650 m (DCM). Modulatrix stictigula Spot-throat M: common above Lushoto and near Mazumbai, West Usambaras, 23-25 Jan (TS, BWF). Sheppardia gunningi East Coast Akalat R: | Jozani Forest, Zanzibar, 27 Jan (ALA). East African Bird Report 1991] 161 Swynnertonia swynnertoni Swynnerton’s Robin S(A): 4-6 daily in Uzungwa Forest Reserve, Mufindi District, during Jan, Feb, May and early Jun (DCM). Turdus litsipsirupa Groundscraper Thrush R: records from Mbeya District (Feb, Jun, Sep), Iringa District (Jul) and Sao Hill (Sep) (EAdeL, DCM). Apalis chariessa White-winged Apalis S(B): several daily in mixed-species flocks Uzungwa Forest Reserve Jan, Feb, May, early Jun (DCM). Cisticola aberrans Rock-loving Cisticola R: 1 on rocky hillside in West Usambaras 22 Jan (TS, BWP). Macrosphenus kretschmeri Kretschmer’s Longbill M: 1 Karamjee Tea Estate, East Usambaras 28 Jan (TS, BWF). | Anthus lineiventris Striped Pipit M: c. 6 on steep rocky hillsides in West Usambaras 22 Jan (TS, BWF). Anthreptes rubritorques Banded Green Sunbird M: 4 Mazumbai, West Usambaras 25-26 Jan and >10 Irangi, East Usambaras 26-27 Jan (TS, BWF). Anthreptes neglectus Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird M: common at Irangi, East Usambaras 26—27 Jan (TS, BWF). Ploceus burnieri Kilombero Weaver MB: several hundred breeding in marshes S of Ifakara 30-31 Jan (TS, BWP). Ploceus nicolli anderseni Usambara Weaver M: nomenclature after Franzmann (1983) Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 103: 49-51. 1 adult feeding newly fledged young above Lushoto at 1900 m in West Usambaras, 23 Jan (TS, BWF). Passer domesticus House Sparrow E: 15-20 at Mbalizi Mission, 11 km S of Mbeya, Jan—Jun (DCM). See also Scopus 16: 101-105. Lonchura oryzivora Java Sparrow M: flock of >50 resident in and around Bwawani swamp, Zanzibar town (ALA, DAT). Linurgus olivaceus Oriole Finch M: party of 15 in scrubby thicket and secondary forest in Uzungwa Forest Reserve, Mufindi District 8 Jun (DCM). Tanzania: Palaearctic records supplied by ALA, EAdeL, DKR and DAT Circus aeruginosus Eurasian Marsh Harrier: | male Zanzibar 4 Nov. Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard: | Itona Estate, Mufindi, 4 Nov. Tringa erythropus Spotted Redshank: | Lake Masek, eastern Serengeti, 28 Dec. Tringa stagnatilis Marsh Sandpiper: | Zanzibar 6 Nov. Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit: | Lake Masek, Serengeti, 28 Dec. Philomachus pugnax Ruff: | Zanzibar 4 Nov. Cuculus poliocephalus Asian Lesser Cuckoo: | Madaba, Ruvuma Region, 30 Mar. Hirundo rustica Barn Swallow: | Zanzibar 5 and 6 Nov. Riparia riparia Eurasian Sand Martin: | Zanzibar 5 Nov was the first record for the island. Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail: 1 Mufindi 28 Oct. 162 East African Bird Report 1991 Uganda: Afrotropical records Ixobrychus minutus payesii Little Bittern R: female, Namulonge Research Station, 30 km NNE of Kampala 13 Oct, 19 and 20 Oct (LDCF, JM). Ciconia episcopus Woolly-necked Stork M: | pair Queen Elizabeth NP 5 Apr, 1 Kibimba Rice Scheme 8 Apr (JFW). Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis N: 80 Kibimba Rice Scheme 8 Apr (JFW). Platalea alba African Spoonbill M: 3 Kibimba Rice Scheme 8 Apr (JFW), 18 at roost at Nabitembe, Iganga District, 4 Oct (DEP). Coturnix chinensis Blue Quail R: 1 flew into light at Makerere University, Kampala, 6 Dec (DEP). Sarothrura pulchra White-spotted Pygmy Crake R: present Namulonge Research Station during Mar and Sep (LDCF, JM). Chlidonias hybridus Whiskered Tern M: 2-3 Entebbe 31 Mar (JEW). Agapornis pullaria Red-headed Lovebird R: 3 Kampala 10 Mar, 10-12 Namulonge 15 Sep (both LDCF). Rhaphidura sabini Sabine’s Spinetail M: 2 over Rabongo Forest, S of Murchison Falls, 23 Jan (ADFW). Pogoniulus scolopaceus Speckled Tinkerbird R: 2 Namulonge 28 Sep (LDCF). Dendropicos poecilolaemus Uganda Spotted Woodpecker R: pair and 2 immatures Namulonge 12 Oct (LDCF). Ptilostomus afer Piapiac M: flocks reported at Hoima 19 Mar and Jinja 9 Apr (JFW). Criniger calurus Red-tailed Greenbul R: 1 Namulonge 2 Oct (LDCEF). Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris Cliff Chat M: 1 female Kagadi 21 Mar (JFW). Drymocichla incana Red-winged Grey Warbler R: 1 Murchison Falls NP 6 Feb (ADFW). Bias musicus Black and White Flycatcher R: 1—2 at Namulonge Mar, Sep and Oct (LDCF). Lamprotornis purpureus Purple Glossy Starling R: 4-6 Kampala 9 Mar, >5 Namulonge 24 Sep and singles there 6 and 17 Oct (LDCF). Ploceus superciliosus Compact Weaver R: >20 Namulonge 12 Oct (LDCF). Serinus koliensis Papyrus Canary R: pair at Namulonge 12—20 Oct (LDCF, JM). Uganda: Palaearctic records Ciconia ciconia White Stork N: >80 soaring over Mbale 9 Apr (JFW). Tringa erythropus Spotted Redshank R: 4 Kayansi fish farm near Kampala 27 Jan (CD, DEP). Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit R: 1 Kajansi fish farm near Kampala 27 Jan (CD, DEP): East African Bird Report 1991 163 Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed Gull N: c. 450 Lake Munyanyange, QENP, 11 Jan (DEP). Gelochelidon nilotica Gull-billed Tern N: c. 650 Lake Munyanyange, QENP 11 Jan (DEP). Coracias garrulus Eurasian Roller D: 1 Entebbe 30 Mar (JFW). Apus apus Eurasian Swift N: marked passage over Namulonge 22-27 Sep, with a max of 200-300 on 27 Sep (LDCF), 200-300 near Jinja 13 Oct (DEP). Delichon urbica House Martin M: 3 oversummering near Entebbe 8 Jun, feeding with Angola Swallows Hirundo angolensis (DEP). Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher R: 1 immature Namulonge 29 Sep (LDCF). Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike D: 1 immature Namulonge 9 Oct (LDCF). Kenya: Afrotropical back record Sarothrura boehmi Streaky-breasted Pygmy Crake S(B): 1 calling from edge of reeds at Hyaena Dam, Nairobi NP, 16 Jun 1989 (CR). Ornithological survey of ten Uganda Forest Reserves 18 April—29 November 1991 I. S. Francis and Nicola Penford Key to columns 1. Budongo Forest 18 Apr—4 May, 2. Kasyoha-Kitomi Forest 12—28 May, 3. Itwara Forest 11-17 Jun, 4. Semliki Forest 26—29 Jun, 5. Impenetrable (= Bwindi) Forest 7- 11 Jul, 6. Rwenzori Forest 18—26 Jun, 12—21 Jul, 7. Kalinzu Forest 22—26 Jul, 8. Sango Bay Forest 2—7 Aug, 9. South Busoga Forest 8-12 Aug, 10. Mafuga Plantation Forest (north of the Impenetrable) 26—29 Nov True Forest species in bold type els|s[7s]2[0 Hooded Vulture Neophron monachus J Harrier Hawk Polyboroides radiatus "4 J ViviVv Great Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus J iv J Viv Western Little Sparrowhawk A. erythropus Mountain Buzzard Buteo tachardus J iv J Ayres’ Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus dubius Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis J J iV iv Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus J iv Vid \vo Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides Contd 164 East African Bird Report 199] Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus Forest Francolin Francolinus lathami Nahan’s Francolin F. nahani Handsome Francolin F. nobilis Scaly Francolin F. squamatus Crested Guineafowl Guttera edouardi Buff-spotted Pygmy Crake Sarothrura elegans White-spotted Pygmy Crake S. pulchra Lemon Dove Aplopelia larvata White-naped Pigeon Columba albinucha Olive Pigeon C. arquatrix Western Bronze-naped Pigeon C. malherbii Afep Pigeon C. unicincta Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola Red-eyed Dove S. semitorquata Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer Tambourine Dove 7: tympanistria Green Pigeon Treron australis Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullaria Black-collared Lovebird A. swinderniana Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata Ross’s Turaco Musophaga rossae Rwenzori Turaco Tauraco johnstoni White-crested Turaco T: leucolophus Black-billed Turaco T. schuetti Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechowi Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo C. montanus Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo C. olivinus Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus Klaas’ Cuckoo C. klaas Levaillant’s Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus Red-chested Cuckoo C. solitarius Yellowbill Ceuthmocares aereus Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis African Wood Owl Ciccaba woodfordii Red-chested Owlet Glaucidium tephronotum Montane Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus Scarce Swift Schoutedenapus myoptilus Cassin’s Spinetail Neafrapus cassini Sabine’s Spinetail Rhaphidura sabini Mottle-throated Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri Narina’s Trogon Apaloderma narina White-bellied Kingfisher Alcedo leucogaster Shining-blue Kingfisher A. quadribrachys Sy NEN SNS SN NG NR SNA IS N\ Nas SNES N NNN SS SENS NNN NNN Tad il al LS Jo J Jo J Viv Vit \|4 i Vv Jo 4 iv Vi |v Vila J Vi4\o V |v J \vo Vv \v J J |v J Vivi dv J Jo Viv \|4 i Vv 4 \S io J |v Vit |S | ao v J J J \¢o J Contd East African Bird Report 1991 Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher H. leucocephala Blue-breasted Kingfisher H. malimbica Dwarf Kingfisher [spidina lecontei Pygmy Kingfisher /. picta White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis Eurasian Bee-eater M. apiaster Black Bee-eater M. gularis _Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater M. oreobates Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus Blue-throated Roller E. gularis White-headed Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus bollei White-thighed Hornbill Bycanistes cylindricus White-tailed Hornbill B. fistulator Black and White Casqued Hornbill B. subcylindricus Black-wattled Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill T. camurus Pied Hornbill T- fasciatus Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui Grey-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus Hairy-breasted Barbet L. hirsutus Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus Western Green Tinkerbird P. coryphaeus Speckled Tinkerbird P. scolopaceus Yellow-throated Tinkerbird P. subsulphureus Yellow-billed Barbet Trachylaemus purpuratus Thick-billed Honeyguide Indicator conirostris Least Honeyguide /. exilis Lesser Honeyguide /. minor Scaly-throated Honeyguide /. variegatus Cassin’s Honeybird Prodotiscus insignis Little Spotted Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii Brown-eared Woodpecker C. caroli Buff-spotted Woodpecker C. nivosa Fine-banded Woodpecker C. tullbergi Grey Woodpecker Mesopicos goertae Olive Woodpecker M. griseocephalus Yellow-crested Woodpecker M. xantholophus Bearded Woodpecker Thripias namaquus African Broadbill Smithornis capensis Red-sided Broadbill S. rufolateralis African Pitta Pitta angolensis Green-breasted Pitta P. reichenowi White-headed Roughwing Psalidoprocne albiceps NES NS SaaS) |cOnIh J o o J J Jo J iv Jo Jf of Jo Viv iv o Jo Viiv vo Jo vo J \v Jo Jo J iv VIS io |W | VIS iV [Vl Jo Viv |v of Y |v AC ACAcans Jf Jf Jv Jo o f iv of 4 iv 165 N\ NN N\ Contd 166 East African Bird Report 1991 l Black Roughwing P. pristoptera J Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis A Square-tailed Drongo D. ludwigii Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus¥ Black-headed Oriole O. larvatus J Montane Oriole O. percivali White-bellied Tit Parus albiventris Stripe-breasted Tit P. fasciiventer Dusky Tit P funereus Black Tit P. leucomelas African Hill Babbler Alcippe abyssinica Grey-chested Illadopsis Kakamega poliothorax Scaly-breasted Illadopsis Trichastoma albipectus |V/ Brown Illadopsis T. fulvescens J Mountain Illadopsis 7. pyrrhopterum Pale-breasted Illadopsis T. rufipennis J Black Cuckoo Shrike Campephaga flava J Petit’s Cuckoo Shrike C. petiti Purple-throated Cuckoo Shrike C. quiscalina Grey Cuckoo Shrike Coracina caesia Cameroon Sombre Greenbul Andropadus curvirostris Slender-billed Greenbul A. gracilirostris Little Grey Greenbul A. gracilis Yellow-whiskered Greenbul A. Jatirostris J Mountain Greenbul A. tephrolaemus Little Greenbul A. virens o Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator Green-tailed Bristlebill Bleda eximia Bristlebill B. syndactyla J Yellow-throated Leaflove Chlorocichla flavicollis Joyful Greenbul C. laetissima Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus J Spotted Greenbul [xonotus guttatus J Nicator Nicator chloris J White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularisV Toro Olive Greenbul P. baumanni Yellow-streaked Greenbul P. flavostriatus Icterine Greenbul P. icterinus Olive Mountain Greenbul P. placidus Xavier’s Greenbul P. xavieri Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Fire-crested Alethe Alethe diademata Brown-chested Alethe A. poliocephala Red-throated Alethe A. poliophrys Brown-backed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas hartlaubi Blue-shouldered Robin Chat Cossypha cyanocampter N\ Ne 2 | 3-4 J SN SeNEN NNN NeNE SN eS Contd East African Bird Report 1991 167 White-browed Robin Chat C. heuglini Red-capped robin Chat C. natalensis / J / Snowy-headed Robin Chat C. niveicapilla Viv Archer’s Robin Chat Dryocichloiaes archeri Viv White-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus poensis /\Vv / Red-tailed Ant Thrush N. rufus / White-starred Forest Robin Pogonocichla stellata /\Vv J Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis J iv / Akalat S. cyornithopsis Forest Robin Stiphrornis erythrothorax Rufous Thrush Stizorhina fraseri Black-eared Ground Thrush Turdus camaronensis African Thrush T: pelios Viv Abyssinian Ground Thrush 7: piaggiae Masked Apalis Apalis binotata Grey Apalis A. cinerea Viv Black-throated Apalis A. jacksoni "4 Black-capped Apalis A. nigriceps / Chestnut-throated Apalis A. porphyrolaema Buff-throated Apalis A. rufogularis ATARAKA Collared Apalis A. ruwenzori Black-faced Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus cerviniventris —"ArATAKAKAKA Evergreen Forest Warbler Bradypterus barratti Cinnamon Bracken Warbler B. cinnamomeus J Grey-backed Camaroptera Cqmaroptera brachyura Olive-green Camaroptera C. chloronota Yellow-browed Camaroptera C. supercilliaris Mountain Yellow Warbler Chloropeta similis Viv Chubb’s Cisticola Cisticola chubbi "ars / Grey-capped Warbler Eminia lepida Brown-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps' |V|\V Green Hylia Hylia prasina Ar ATAKA Vi4 |v Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster Grey Longbill Macrosphenus concolor J Yellow Longbill M. flavicans Uganda Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus budongoensis Red-faced Woodland Warbler P. laetus Viv Wood Warbler P. sibilatrix Willow Warbler P. trochilus Brown Woodland Warbler P. umbrovirens Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii White-chinned Prinia P. leucopogon Viv Tawny-flanked Prinia P. subflava Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla / White-browed Crombec Sylvietta leucophrys J A. AokK NN NN N\ SN SoA AN SN Bs EN ESN SN SSN XN N\ \ N\ N\ By mS Hy SS ON SoA ON, SN ~ \ >. x x“ oN N\ S NEN aN ES Contd 168 East African Bird Report 1991 Green Crombec S. virens Sooty Flycatcher Artomyias fuliginosa Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher Melaenornis ardesiaca White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher M. chocolatina Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta Ashy Flycatcher M. caerulescens Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher M. cassini Dusky Blue Flycatcher M. comitata Grey-throated Flycatcher M. griseigularis Yellow-footed Flycatcher M. sethsmithi Lead-coloured Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus Rwenzori Batis Batis diops Black and White Flycatcher Bias musicus Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammulaia Jameson’s Wattle-eye Platysteira blissetti Chestnut Wattle-eye P. castanea Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye P. concreta Wattle-eye P. cyanea Black-throated Wattle-eye P. peltata White-tailed Blue Flycatcher Erannornis albicauda Blue Flycatcher E. longicauda Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccalli Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer Paradise Flycatcher T- viridis White-tailed Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus albonotatus Crested Flycatcher T: cyanomelas Dusky Crested Flycatcher 7: nigromitratus Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher 7. nitens Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara Pink-footed Puffback Dryoscopus angolensis Northern Puffback D. gambensis Tropical Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus Fiilleborn’s Black Boubou L. fuelleborni Sooty Boubou L. Jeucorhynchus Liihder’s Bush Shrike L. luehderi Grey-green Bush Shrike Malaconotus bocagei Doherty’s Bush Shrike M. dohertyi Lagden’s Bush Shrike M. lagdeni Many-coloured Bush Shrike M. multicolor Mackinnon’s Shrike Lanius mackinnoni Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Sharpe’s Starling C. sharpii SS SS SS SS NS. SS J J Ss WN S SCN SS SS SNS \ SS7S SSeS S Nos N Se SS SS Se Se S'S N\ SS 10 SNS S'S Contd East African Bird Report 199] Purple-headed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis purpureiceps Viv Splendid Glossy Starling L. splendidus J iv Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus Waller’s Chestnut-winged Starling O. walleri Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris J Stuhlmann’s Starling P. stuhlmanni Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris J Grey-headed Sunbird A. fraseri Green Sunbird A. rectirostris J Blue-headed Sunbird Nectarinia alinae Little Purple-banded Sunbird N. bifasciata Orange-tufted Sunbird N. bouvieri Olive-bellied Sunbird N. chloropygia J Copper Sunbird N. cuprea J Blue-throated Brown Sunbird N. cyanolaema / Malachite Sunbird N. famosa Bronze Sunbird N. kilimensis J Olive Sunbird N. olivacea Viv Northern Double-collared Sunbird N. preussi Purple-breasted Sunbird N. purpureiventris Regal Sunbird N. regia Golden-winged Sunbird N. reichenowi Green-throated Sunbird N. rubescens J Little Green Sunbird N. seimundi J Superb Sunbird N. superba Variable Sunbird N. venusta Green-headed Sunbird WN. verticalis Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis J Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons / Crested Malimbe Malimbus malimbicus Red-headed Malimbe M. rubricollis Viv Strange Weaver Ploceus alienus Stuhlmann’s Weaver P. baglafecht stuhlmanni Dark-backed Weaver P. bicolor Northern Brown-throated Weaver P. castanops Brown-capped Weaver P. insignis J Black-billed Weaver P. melanogaster Vieillot’s Black Weaver P. nigerrimus Viv Spectacled Weaver P. ocularis Slender-billed Weaver P. pelzelni Compact Weaver P. superciliosus Yellow-mantled Weaver P. tricolor / Weyns’ Weaver P. weynsi Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri J Dusky Crimson-wing Cryptospiza jacksoni NNN NENTS NON EN NE GN oN SS NE NES" NGA SX SNSENESENGS AS Bs 2 ONION \ \ ws St Soe WN N\ \ S&S 169 QNN Contd 170 Red-faced Crimson-wing C. reichenovii Abyssinian Crimson-wing C. salvadorii Shelley’s Crimson-wing C. shelley Yellow-bellied Waxbill Estrilda melanotis Black-crowned Waxbill E. nonnula Green-backed Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula White-collared Olive-back Nesocharis ansorgei Grey-headed Olive-back N. capistrata Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita bicolor Grey-headed Negrofinch N. canicapilla White-breasted Negrofinch N. fusconota Red-fronted Antpecker Parmoptila woodhousei Black-bellied Seed-cracker Pyrenestes ostrinus Red-headed Bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla Thick-billed Seed-eater Serinus burtoni Yellow-crowned Canary S. canicollis Kenya G. C. Backhurst L. A. Bennun R. Bishop M. A. C. Coverdale J. R. P. Cumberlege J. Dawson N. Dymond (Cygnus Tours) . J. H. Fanshawe B. W. Finch D. Fisher (Sunbird Tours) A. D. Forbes-Watson P. Frere D. Hasselquist R. N. Hobbs KWWG (Kenya Wetlands Working Group) P. Lack East African Bird Report 1991 List of observers M. Lissimore F. Ng’ weno M. Ogola I. S. C. Parker D. J. Pearson N. Redman (Bird Quest) D. K. Richards P. Roberts I. Robertson (Bird Quest) S. Rooke (Sunbird Tours) P. Squelch T. Stevenson S. Thomsett D. A. Turner N. Wilson D. E. Wolf (Victor Emanuel Nature Tours) J. Wood J J J J J J J Tanzania A. L. Archer E. A. de Leyser B. W. Finch D. C. Moyer D. K. Richards D. A. Turner T. Stevenson Uganda C. Dranzoa L D. C. Fishpool A. D. Forbes-Watson J. Miskell D. E. Pomeroy J. F. Walsh East African Bird Report 1991 171 First and last dates of some Palaearctic migrants in Kenya species Merops apiaster Coracias garrulus Delichon urbica Riparia riparia Oriolus oriolus Cercotrichas galactotes Trania gutturalis Luscinia luscinia L. megarhynchos Monticola saxatilis Oenanthe isabellina O. oenanthe O. pleschanka Saxicola rubetra Acrocephalus arundinaceus A. griseldis A. palustris A. schoenobaenus A. scirpaceus Hippolais languida H. olivetorum H. pallida Locustella fluviatilis Phylloscopus trochilus Sylvia atricapilla S. borin S. communis S. nisoria Muscicapa striata Anthus cervinus A. trivialis Motacilla flava M. cinerea Lantus collurio L. isabellinus L. minor last recorded “oversummered Samburu” “oversummered Lake Baringo” 14 Apr Nairobi 19 May The Ark “oversummered Lake Baringo” first recorded 16 Sep Mara GR 16 Oct Lake Turkana 17 Sep Mara GR 25 Sep Alupe 26 Sep Alupe 11 Oct Lake Turkana 11 Nov Ngulia 8 Nov Ngulia 9 Nov Ngulia 11 Nov Ngulia 8 Oct Lodwar 18 Sep Mara GR 8 Oct Lodwar 25 Sep Alupe 9 Dec Ngulia 12 Nov Ngulia 6 Nov Ngulia 12 Nov Ngulia 9 Nov Ngulia 2 Nov Archer’s Post 11 Oct Lake Turkana 13 Nov Ngulia 8 Sep Langata, Nairobi 19 Oct Kerio Valley 25 Sep Alupe 10 Oct Lake Turkana 21 Oct Manda Island 26 Sep Alupe 27 Nov Nairobi 11 Oct Lake Turkana 26 Sep Alupe 18 Oct Nairobi 11 Nov Ngulia 11 Oct Lake Turkana 29 Sep Kerio Valley 172 East African Bird Report 199] Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1991 G. C. Backhurst and D. J. Pearson Autumn 1991 was the 20th season of extensive ringing coverage at Ngulia. Although fewer birds were caught than in the previous best-ever year, operations were neverthe- less very successful. A total of 9700 Palaearctic migrants of 33 species was ringed during 30 days of cover which spanned a period of six weeks. Two sessions were involved, each centred on a new moon. Numbers of Palaearctic migrants ringed in each session are compared in Table 1. First session: 5-16 November At the start of this session the rains in Tsavo had still to begin. The first few nights were either clear or with cloud cover that never came down to the Lodge. Only 53 migrants were caught up to 10 November, mostly in daytime netting in the bush. Rain and associated night mist began on 11th, and the last five nights of the session then produced some good conditions and boosted the migrant ringing total to 2844. Mid-November typically produces the best variety at Negulia, with substantial numbers of some ‘early’ species which are less likely to occur later in the autumn (Backhurst & Pearson 1984). Some of these species featured prominently in the early session of 1991. Thus, Olive-tree Warblers' were particularly common, with 11 on 13th and an Ngulia daily record catch of 43 on 14th, when this was the third most numerous species. Olivaceous Warblers were also well represented, with 15 on 13th. Eurasian Nightjars were common on some nights, but catching success varied greatly. Thus 26 were ringed on 13th, but in thick mist two nights later, when even more were judged to be skimming the nets, not one was caught. Another early migrant, the Spotted Flycatcher, was in good numbers in mid-November (122 ringed), but Rufous Bush Chat (30) was less numerous than expected. Nightingale (29) and Red-backed Shrike (30) numbers were about average for recent years. Overall, the main bird in mid-November was the Whitethroat, easily outnumbering the other two major species (Table 1). The River Warbler, with a normal peak at the end of the month into early December, was nevertheless very poorly represented in the session with only 14 ringed, whereas the Irania, which typically peaks at the same time, occurred at its highest 1991 numbers (97) in mid-November. Finally, two Redstarts, on 13th and 15th, were only the fourth and fifth records for the Lodge. Second session: 30 November-17 December During this small-moon period there were six nights with no mist and three with apparently perfect misty conditions but few birds grounded. Only seven nights produced large falls, and these accounted for most of the 6856 birds ringed. The three main species, Marsh Warbler (now predominant), Whitethroat and Sprosser were all in good numbers. River Warblers were caught steadily throughout the session, but numbers were modest for early December. Basra Reed Warblers, well spread through both ringing sessions, reached an impressive overall total of 80. Some ‘scarce’ Ngulia species ringed in December included a Little Bittern of the nominate race on 7th, Great Reed Warblers on 9th and 15th, seven Reed Warblers (three on 7th), and a Wood ' Scientific names are given in Tables | and 3 East African Bird Report 199] LS Table 1. Numbers of Palaearctic night migrants ringed at Ngulia Safari Lodge from December 1969 to December 1991 (between October and February each season) 1991 Species first Little Bittern Ixobrychus m. minutus 0 Black and White Cuckoo Oxylophus jacobinus 2 Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus 36 Eurasian Roller Coracias garrulus 0 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 49 Rufous Bush Chat Cercotrichas galactotes 30 Irania /rania gutturalis 97 Sprosser Luscinia luscinia 382 Nightingale L. megarhynchos 29 Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis 10 Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 4 Northern Wheatear O. oenanthe 2 Pied Wheatear O. pleschanka 10 Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 2 Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 0 Basra Reed Warbler A. griseldis 28 Marsh Warbler A. palustris 681 Reed Warbler A. scirpaceus 1 Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina 0 Upcher’s Warbler H. languida 15 Olive-tree Warbler H. olivetorum 67 Olivaceous Warbler H. pallida 46 River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis 14 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix 0 Willow Warbler P. trochilus 37 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 0 Garden Warbler S. borin 14 Whitethroat S. communis 1080 Barred Warbler S. nisoria 32 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 122 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 1 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 30 Red-tailed Shrike L. isabellinus 23 Number of species 27 Total ringed 2844 1991 second session session 31 6856 1991 total 33 9700 Tot Total 1969- Dec 1991 125244 {The autumn 1991 total expressed as a percentage of the mean of the 19 years 1972-1973 to 1990-1991 for each species Footnote to Table 1 Totals of Palaearctic species ringed in previous autumn sasons but not caught in autumn 1991 are as follows: 174 East African Bird Report 199] Footnote to Table 1 continued Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 1, Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae 1, Corncrake Crex crex 9, Spotted Crake Porzana porzana 1, Great Snipe Gallinago media 1, Eurasian Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 2, Asian Lesser Cuckoo C. poliocephalus 4, Scops Owl Otus scops 6, Sand Martin Riparia riparia 6, Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 19, Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 3, Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 97, Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides 2, Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1, Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus 1, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 3, hybrid shrike Lanius collurio x L. isabellinus 12. From December 1969 a total of 130 531 Palaearctic night-migrating birds of 49 species (plus one hybrid) has been ringed at Ngulia during southward passage between October and February inclusive. Warbler and an Icterine Warbler (also both on 7th). The Icterine was unusual in having the second primary shorter than the fifth, and was also small (winglength 73 mm) and bright yellow below. Recoveries, controls and retraps from previous seasons The use of Stockholm Museum rings, begun in 1990 (Backhurst & Pearson 1992), was continued this year. It may be significant that six Ngulia-ringed birds with Stockholm rings have already been recovered abroad. Four of these are listed in Table 2, which gives details of recoveries, controls and subsequent season retraps from the 1991 ringing. Table 2. Recoveries, controls and subsequent season retraps reported by July 1993 from the 1991 autumn Ngulia ringing Sprosser Luscinia luscinia Stockholm 3 09.12.91 Negulia, 3°00S, 38°13E. 2KE95677 + 00.04.92 Lebanon-—Israel border, c. 33°10N, 35°20E, c. 4020 km, >113 d. Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Radolfzell 3 23.08.91 Karm, Mittelfranken, Germany, 49°09N, 11°18E. BZ90605 Vv 01.12.91 Negulia, 6332 km, 100 d. Brussels - 28.06.88 | Eben-Emmal, Liége, Belgium, 50°48N, 5°40E. 4-2980319 V 04.12.91 Ngulia, 6715 km, 1254 d. Stockholm 3 15.12.91 Ngulia. BC39646 + 25.01.92 Kabwe, Zambia, 14°29S, 28°25E, 1640 km, 41 d. Stockholm 3 01.12.91 Negulia. BC35174 () 00.00.00 Kang’goma, Thyolo, Malawi, 16°30S, 35°07E, 1538 km. All atterapts to discover the date of recovery of BC35174 have failed: the finding date was East African Bird Report 1991] 175 given as October 1991 (i.e. before the bird was ringed) but it is considered more likely to have been in April 1992 when the recovery was actually reported, initially to the South African ringing authorities. Thanks to Terry Oately of sarrinc for his efforts on this recovery. Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida Nairobi 3 11.12.88 Negulia. X65255 Vv 17.12.91 Negulia, 1101 d. In active primary moult when ringed and retrapped, respective states were N308, and N320’. Whitethroat Sylvia communis Stockholm - 121i Ot * Noulia: BA61617 + 07.09.92 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 24°39N, 46°46E, 3210 km, 300 d. Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Stockholm - 20.11.90 Negulia. BA51418 Vv 04.12.91 Ngulia, 379 d. Stockholm ~ 21.11.90 Negulia. BA52453 Vv 06.12.91 Negulia, 380 d. The first of these birds was in the virtually the same stage of active primary moult when ringed and retrapped (allowing for the two-week extra time over the one year), respective states were 07230, and O°123N*. The second bird was not moulting when ringed but had O71? when retrapped. Afrotropical species It has always been surprising that so few Afrotropical migrants accompany the main southward Palaearctic passage at Ngulia. A list of the Afrotropicals ringed this season is given in Table 3, but very few of them are known migrants. Numbers of Harlequin Quail were very low, and nightjars too were poorly represented. The Gambaga Flycatcher caught at night on 13 November was the fifth for Ngulia, but the first adult. The Black Cuckoo Shrikes caught the previous day were the first ever adult males. Mist and birds Night migrants are attracted to the bright game-viewing lights of Ngulia Safari Lodge when there is mist (= low cloud), and when the moon has either not risen or has already set. Numbers of birds are usually lower in conditions of thick fog, especially if these are established before the moon sets. We have noticed, however, that on some moonless nights with ‘perfect’ mist—low and not too dense—numbers of birds have been far less than we would have expected. Various explanations have been suggested. Thus, if cloud is thick altitudinally and also stretches far to the north it would follow that the attractive effect of the lights must be reduced. On other occasions, particularly late in the season when migration volume would vary more, there are presumably nights with little traffic overhead. On 17 December 1991, the mist at night had been ‘perfect’ and by no means too thick but few birds were attracted. At first light it was noticed, through gaps in the mist, that there was a layer of continuous high cloud far above. The bulk of 176 East African Bird Report 1991 Table 3. Afrotropical species ringed at Ngulia during the 199] autumn. At least some examples of birds printed in bold type have been caught at night. An asterisk denotes a species new for the Ngulia ringing list Species/total: Harlequin Quail Coturnix delegorguei Common Button Quail Turnix sylvatica Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus Slender-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus clarus Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar C. donaldsoni Dusky Nightjar C. fraenatus Plain Nightjar C. inornatus Little Swift Apus affinis Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala d’Amaud’s Barbet Trachyphonus darnaudii Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica * African Rock Martin H. fuligula Black Cuckoo Shrike Campephaga flava Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus *Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris Northern Brownbul Phyllastrephus strepitans Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana Winding Cisticola C. galactotes Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Gambaga Flycatcher Muscicapa gambagae Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla Slate-coloured Boubou Laniarius funebris Grey-headed Bush Shrike Malaconotus blanchoti Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike M. sulfureopectus Brown-headed Tchagra Tchagra australis White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus rueppelli Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea Superb Starling Spreo superbus Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris Amethyst Sunbird Nectarinia amethystina Abyssinian White-eye Zosterops abyssinica Black-headed Weaver Ploceus cucullatus Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga *Peters’ Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus Jameson’s Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus Purple Grenadier U. ianthinogaster 1991/92 1 =" 1969-92 East African Bird Report 1991] 177 Species/total: 1991/92 1969-92 *Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata 1 1 Somali Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza poliopleura 1 23 Yellow-rumped Seed-eater Serinus atrogularis 2 8 Totals 196 2797 In addition, 3203 individuals of a further 91 Afrotropical species have been ringed in previous autumn seasons at Ngulia making a grand total when added to those listed above of 3399 individuals of 139 species. the overflying birds may well have passed above that higher cloud, far out of range of the attraction of the Lodge lights. Acknowledgements We are most grateful to the Kenya Wildlife Service, in particular Dr Richard Leakey, Mr Joe Kioko and the Warden of Tsavo West National Park, for allowing ringing to continue at Ngulia. The management and staff of the Lodge and African Tours & Hotels Limited—particularly Mr Philip Tenai, the Lodge Manager—as usual, were most helpful. We also thank Bengt-Olov Stolt and the Swedish Ringing Centre for letting us use their rings and for forwarding recovery details promptly. Members of the Ngulia Ringing Group this year, in addition to the authors, were Tony and Betty Archer, Daphne Backhursty, Nigel Cleere, Miles Coverdale, Brian Finch, Anna Forbes-Watson, Bernat Garrigds, Dennis Hasselquist, Peter and Diane Lack, Jerry Lewis, John McEachen, David Murdoch, Peter Pilkington, Nigel Redman, Lyndon Roberts, Ian Robertson, Kath Shurcliff, Tristan Voorspuy, Judy Wells, and Brian and Linda Whitby. We regret to record the death of Daphne Backhurst on 22 November. She had been coming to Ngulia since 1969. References BackuurstT, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. 1984. The timing of the southward night migration of Palaearctic birds over Ngulia, southeast Kenya. Proceedings of the Fifth Pan-African Ornithological Congress: 361-369. Backuurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. 1992. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1990. Scopus 14: 159-164. G. C. Backhurst, Box 15193, Nairobi and Dr D. J. Pearson, Barnyard Cottage, Browses, Sibton, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 2 JH, England Scopus 15: 172-177, July 1993 178 East African Bird Report 199] A bibliography of the first fifteen volumes of Scopus Vol 1 (1) 1977 — Vol 15 (3) 1993 compiled by D. A. Turner Contents East Africa: status and distribution 178 East Africa: identification 179 East Africa: records 179 East Africa: behaviour, populations, plumage 180 Kenya: ecology, behaviour, longevity, vocalizations, moult, breeding habits 180 Kenya: records : 184 Kenya: migration, ringing 188 Kenya: status, distribution, identification 189 Tanzania: records, distribution 191 Tanzania: behaviour, food, breeding habits 193 Tanzania: migration 194 Uganda: records, distribution 194 Uganda: behaviour, ecology, breeding habits 195 Northeastern Africa—Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti 196 Sudan 198 Zambia, Malawi 199 Rwanda, eastern Zaire 200 Indian Ocean—Comoros, Seychelles 200 East Africa: status and distribution Status and distribution of the East African endemic species. Turner, D. A. Vol 1: 2-11. The distribution of some falcons and plovers in East Africa. Dowsett, R. J. Vol 1: 73- 78. The Madagascar Pratincole Glareola ocularis in Africa. Britton, P. L. Vol 1: 94-97. Preliminary report on the January range and abundance of Palaearctic ducks in East Africa. Meadows, B. S. Vol 3: 29-31. A clarification of the status of the Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius in lowland areas of East Africa. Britton, P. L. Vol 4: 71. The residential status of the Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus in Africa. Fry, C. H. Vol 5: 41-45. The migration and wintering of Palaearctic Acrocephalus warblers in Kenya and Uganda. Pearson, D. J. Vol 6: 49-59. Range retraction of the White-eyed Gull Larus leucophthalmus from the eastern coast of Africa. Bednall, D. K. & Williams, J.G. Vol 13: 122-123. The genus Agapornis in East Africa. Turner, D. A. Vol 15: 52-54. East African Bird Report 199] 179 East Africa: identification Notes on the field identification of East African honeyguides (Indicatoridae). Forbes- Watson, A. D. Vol 1: 17-20. Status and identification of East African terns. Britton, P. L. Vol 1: 29-34. The races of the Red-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus occurring 1n East Africa. Pearson, D. J. Vol 3: 74-78. The field identification of Common, Ethiopian and Great Snipe (Gallinago gallinago, nigripennis and media). Taylor, P. B. Vol 4: 1-5. The Madagascar Squacco Heron Ardeola idae in East Africa, with notes on its field identification. Turner, D. A. Vol 4: 42-43. The separation of Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus and Marsh Warblers A. palustris in eastern Africa. Pearson, D. J. Vol 13: 81-89. East Africa: records Some recent records of Palaearctic birds in Kenya and Tanzania. Vol 1: 39-43, 78-81. The European Wryneck Jynx torquilla in East Africa. Cunningham-van Someren, G. R. Vol 1: 54. East African Nest Record Scheme: July 1976—December 1977. Vol 1: 132-141. East African Ornithological Studies in 1977. Vol 1: 142-143. The genus Sy/via in Kenya and Uganda. Pearson, D. J. Vol 2: 63-71. — East African Nest Record Scheme: 1978. Vol 2: 126-132. East African Ornithological Studies in 1978. Vol 2: 134-136. East African Nest Record Scheme: 1979. Vol 3: 121-131. East African Ornithological Studies in 1979. Vol 3: 131-132. Ficedula flycatchers in East Africa. Britton, P. L. Vol 4: 21-22. Eggs from East Africa in the collection of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, California. Britton, H. A. Vol 4: 79-83. Mapping the distribution of Palaearctic wildfowl in East Africa—1980 Progress Report. Meadows, B.S. Vol 4: 89-90. East African Nest Record Scheme: 1980. Vol 4: 123-133. The East African Distributional Mapping Scheme—a progress report. Turner, D. A. Vol 5: 38-40. East African Nest Record Scheme: 1981. Vol 5: 154-164. East African Ornithological Projects 1981. Vol 5: 164-165: Eurasian Cuckoo Cuculus canorus oversummering in East Africa. Britton, P. L. Vol 6: 45-46. The breeding of the Rufous-chested Swallow Hirundo semirufa in East Africa. Lewis, A. D. Vol 6: 103-105. East African Nest Record Scheme: 1982. Vol 6: 129-142. Kast African Ornithological Projects 1982. Vol 6: 142-143. East African Ornithological Projects 1983. Vol 7: 138-139. 180 East African Bird Report 1991 The African bird collections of S. A. White of South Australia. Brooke, R. K. & Parker, SAA Vokk833=36: East African Ornithological Projects 1984. Vol 8: 130-133. East African Ornithological Projects 1985-90. Vol 14: 165-171. Taxonomic notes on some birds from East Africa. Clancey, P. A. Vol 10: 33-40. On ‘Taxonomic notes on some birds from East Africa’ by P. Clancey. Britton, P. L. Vol 10: 114-115. Eastern African Ringing Report 1981-87. Backhurst, G. C. Vol 12: 1-52. East African Nest Record Scheme: 1985-89. Vol 13: 165-180. Taxonomic notes on some East African birds. Part 1_—non-Passerines. Turner, D. A.., Pearson, D. J. & Zimmerman, D. A. Vol 14: 84-91. East Africa: behaviour, populations, plumage Thermo-regulatory problems of birds nesting in arid areas in Bast Africa: a review. Reynolds, J. F. Vol 1: 57-68. Marabous associated with vulture parties in East Africa. Pomeroy, D. E. Vol 1: 103- 106. Counts of Marabou Storks Leptoptilos crumeniferus in relation to their movements in eastern Africa. Pomeroy, D. E. Vol 2: 92-96. Aberrantly plumaged barbets. Short, L. L., Horne, J. F. M. & Van de weghe, J-P. Vol 7: 10-14. Kenya: ecology, behaviour, longevity, plumage, vocalizations, moult, breeding habits African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus feeding on carrion. Forbes-Watson, A. D. Wolvi22: Pratincole Glareola pratincola catching flies at ground level. Reynolds, J. F. Vol 1: 23. The food of a Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata holding a territory on a fishless river. Meadows, Brian S. Vol 1: 24-25. Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis using animate perch. Forbes-Watson, A. D. Vol 1: 25. Maximum carrying potential of a Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus. Forbes- Watson, A. D. Vol 1: 44. Some observations on a captive Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus. Cunningham-van Someren, G. R. Vol 1: 52-53. Sunbirds nesting inside buildings at the Kenya coast. Britton, P. L. & Britton, H. A. Vol 1: 68-70. Weights of birds in western and coastal Kenya: a comparison. Britton, P. L. Vol 1: 70— WS: The nest and eggs of the Chestnut-fronted Shrike Prionops scopifrons. Britton, P. L. & Britton H. A. Vol 1: 86. Cooperative feeding of young at the nest by Fischer’s Starling Spreo fischeri. Miskell, J. Vol 1: 87-88. East African Bird Report 1991 181 The first year moult of the Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos in Kenya. Pearson, D. J. Vol 1: 89-94. The African Pitta at Gedi Ruins, Kenya. Rathbun, G. B. Vol 2: 7-10. Notes on Jockus hornbills breeding at Lake Baringo, Kenya. Williams, A. A. E. Vol 2: 21-23. Violet Wood-Hoopoe raiding nest of Speckle-fronted Weaver. Kaestner, P. & J. Vol 2: 24. Accidental parasitization of an Eastern Double-collared Sunbird by a Variable Sunbird. Williams, A. A. E. Vol 2: 25-26. The Boran Cisticola Cisticola bodessa in Kenya, and its possible affinities. Dowsett- Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R. J. Vol 2: 29-30. The voice of the Scarce Swift Schoutedenapus myoptilus. Dowsett, R. J. & Dowsett- Lemaire, F. Vol 2: 51-52. Nectar-feeding of some Ploceine weavers. Short, L. L. & Horne, J. RF M. Vol 2: 53-58. Notes on breeding of the Red-chested Cuckoo in Nairobi. Skinner, N. J. Vol 2: 59-62. Survival and intercolony movement of White-browed Sparrow Weavers Plocepasser mahali over a two-year period. Collias, N. E. & Collias, E. C. Vol 2: 75-76. Dietary notes on some Kenya birds. Lack, P. C. & Quicke, D. L. J. Vol 2: 86-91. Building of one nest by two male Reichenow’s Weavers. Collias, N. E. Vol 2: 101. Notes on the Amani Sunbird Anthreptes pallidigaster including a description of the nest and eggs. Britton, P. L. & Britton, H. A. Vol 2: 102-103. Helpers at the nest in the White-fronted Bee-eater. Hegner, R. E., Emlen, S. T., Demong, N. J. Vol 3: 9-13. Some nesting data on the Nyanza Swift Apus niansae. Schwab, L. T. Vol 3: 26-27. River Warblers in song in Kenya. Pearson, D. J. & Jobson, G. J. Vol 3: 59-60. Observations on Hinde’s Babbler Turdoides hindei. Plumb, W. J. Vol 3: 61-67. Fiscal attacks upon White-fronted Bee-eaters. Emlen, S. T. Vol 3: 101-102. Notes on the food of the Horus Swift Apus horus in Kenya. Collins, C. T. Vol 4: 10-12. Sympatry of Blacksmith and Spur-winged Plovers at Amboseli. Reynolds, J. F. Vol 4: 43. Group dispersal in Hemprich’s Hornbill Tockus hemprichii. Hegner, R. E. Vol 4: 67- 68. Finfoot eating snake. Gerhart, J.D. Vol 4: 69. Some observations on the Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus. Thomsett, S. Vol 5: 56. Survival and intercolony movements of White-browed Sparrow Weavers Plocepasser mahali. Collias, N. E. & Collias, B. C. Vol 5: 61-65. Two observations of nesting in the eastern race of the Green Ibis Bostrychia olivacea akeleyorum. Parker, I. S.C. Vol 6: 20. Studies of birds in a semi-arid area of Kenya: II. Bird parties in two woodland areas. Pomeroy, D. E. & Tengecho, B. Vol 6: 25-32. Co-operative feeding of conspecific and Clamator jacobinus young by Turdoides rubiginosus. Huels, T. R. Vol 6: 33-35. 182 East African Bird Report 1991 Breeding of Magpie Starlings Speculipastor bicolor in Kenya. Haas, V. & Nickel, E. Vol 6: 41. A family of White Storks Ciconia ciconia at Lake Nakuru: the first breeding record for Kenya? Dittami, J. & Haas, V. Vol 6: 70. Threat display of the Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida. Lewis, A. D. Vol 6: 73-74. The prey of the Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus in central Kenya. Brown, L. H. Vol 6: 91-94. Form and function of the duetting of the Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida. Lewis, A. D. Vol 6: 95-100. Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxi eating carrion. Frere, P. J. Vol 6: 101. . Lack of seasonality in song by some birds of the Nairobi area. Pomeroy, D. E. Vol 6: 105-107. Notes on Blue-eared Glossy Starlings Lamprotornis chalybaeus at Nakuru, Kenya. Dittami, J. P. Vol 7: 37-39. A major Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni roost in Kenya. Smalley, M. E. Vol 7: 44-47. Unusual December—January breeding at the Garsen Heronry, Kenya. Coverdale, M. A. C., Hancock, J. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 7: 49-50. Successful breeding of Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber at Lake Nakuru, Kenya. Haas, V. & Siebenrock, K. H. Vol 7: 91-92. Unusual prey of Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus. Lewis, A. D. Vol 7: 92. Kestrel Falco tinnunculus feeding on a bat. Stevenson, T. Vol 7: 93. A Blacksmith/Spurwinged Plover Vanellus armatus x V. spinosus hybrid? Pearson, D. J. Vol 7: 93. A leucistic Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus. Lewis, A. D. Vol 7: 94-95. The Swallow-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii breeding in the Kedong Valley, Kenya. Dewhurst, C. F. & Fishpool, L. D. C. Vol 8: 25-26. A roost of Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni on the Athi Plains, Kenya. Taylor, P. B. Vol 8: 26. Birds at ant swarms in Kenya and southern Sudan. Lambert, F. R. Vol 8: 31-32. Ayres’ Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus dubius feeding on a fruit bat. Wolf, D. E. Vol 8: 44. White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus robbing nest of Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons of eggs. Frere, P. J. Vol 8: 48. Breeding of the Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica in interior Kenya. Grant, L. & Lewis, A. D. Vol 8: 67-72. Nesting and roosting records of piciiform birds. Short, L. L. & Horne, J. FR M. Vol 8: 96. The ecology of the land-birds of Tsavo East National Park, Kenya. Lack, P. Vol 9: 2— 23, 57-96. Protective behaviour in a nestling Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius. Archer, A. L. Vol 9: 52-53. The Spotted Ground Thrush Turdus fischeri fischeri at Gede in coastal Kenya. Bennun, L. A. Vol 9: 97-107. Mackinder’s Eagle Owl feeding on bats. Rutledge, B. A. Vol 10: 49. East African Bird Report 1991 183 Roosting behaviour of Red-faced Crombec. Horne, J. F. M. & Short, L. L. Vol 10: 49- 51. Sting-removal from bees by White-eyed Slaty Flycatchers Melaenornis chocolatina. Gwinner, E. Vol 10: 51-52. A twenty-year-old greenbul from western Kenya. Zimmerman, D. A. Vol 10: 111-112. Moult schedules of some pycnonotids and ploceids in coastal Kenya. Britton, P. L. & Britton, H. A. Vol 10: 103-106. Ringing and recapture of Spotted Ground Thrushes Turdus fischeri fischeri at Gede, Kenya coast: indications of site fidelity and population stability. Bennun, L. A. Vol 11: 1-5. Mackinder’s Eagle Owl Bubo capensis mackinderi breeding in the Kenyan Rift Valley. Taylor, P. B. Vol 11: 13-18. Observations on Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhami at Maralal, Kenya. Smith, M. J. Vol 11: 47-51. Display of Black-bellied Bustard Eupodotis melanogaster. Coverdale, M. A.C. Vol 11: 52, Numbers of Dwarf Bitterns Jxobrychus sturmii displaying. Coverdale, M. A.C. Vol 11: 52-53. Black mamba takes Northern Crombec from mobbing bird group. Short, L. L. & Horne, J. F M. Vol 11: 53-54. Behaviour of Quelea quelea during an invasion of the species in Turkana, N. W. Kenya. Romig, T. Vol 11: 96. Two commensal feeding associations observed in Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 12: 102- 103. Seasonality of Banded Martin Riparia cincta flocks in Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 12: 100-101. Interspecific competition for nest cavities by introduced lovebirds Agapornis sp. at Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Thompson, J. J. & Karanja, W. K. Vol 12: 73-78. Behavioural, physical and environmental differences between races of the Yellow- breasted Apalis Apalis flavida in Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 12: 83-86. Observations on the behaviour and call of Hartlaub’s Bustard Eupodotis hartlaubii. Fanshawe, J. H. & Kelsey, M. G. Vol 12: 98-99. An 11-year-old Mongolian Sandplover Charadrius mongolus wintering on the Kenya coast. Nikolaus, G. & Kempf, N. Vol 13: 119. Notable long-interval retraps of Little Stint Calidris minuta and Chestnut-banded Sandplover Charadrius pallidus at Lake Magadi: a probable longevity record for the Little Stint. Pearson, D. J. & Butterworth, A. B. Vol 13: 119-120. Four aberrantly plumaged birds observed in Kenya. Lewis, A. D. & Ogola, M. F. Vol 13: 114. A new Kenyan breeding site for the Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta. Lewis, A. D. Vol 13h 2A. Notes on two ravens Corvus spp. in Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 13: 129-131. Leaf-stripping by a Holub’s Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops. Savalli, U. M. Vol 13: 134-135. 184 East African Bird Report 199] Black and White Mannikins Lonchura bicolor eating algae. Savalli, U. M. Vol 13: 136. Inferences of breeding patterns from moult data of lovebirds J aapo rns spp. at Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Thompson, J. J. Vol 14: 1-S. Notes on nest construction by the Indian House Crow Corvus splendens and other aspects of its breeding biology in Mombasa, Kenya. Ryall, C. Vol 14: 14-16. Hamerkop Scopus umbretta feeding amongst a herd of African Buffalo. Lewis, A. D. Vol 14: 17. Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax following a foraging pack of Hunting Dogs. Lewis, A. D. Vol 14: 19-20. A threat display of the Water Thicknee Burhinus vermiculatus. Lewis, A. D. Vol 14: 20-21. Two heterosexual displays of the Black-faced Sandgrouse Pterocles decoratus. Lewis, A. D. Vol 14: 21-22. Long life-span and sedentariness of birds in North Nandi Forest, Kenya. Gichuki, C. M. & Schifter, H. Vol 14: 24-25. Blue-eared Glossy Starlings Lamprotornis chalybaeus and Wattled Starlings Creatophora cinerea associating with livestock. Bennun, L., Frere, P. & Squelch, P. Vol 14: 29. Density and distribution of the Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer on Lakes Naivasha and Oloiden, Kenya. Smart, A. C. Vol 14: 76-83. Birds of Lake Naivasha 1: General Studies. Tyler, S. J., Tyler, L. & Lewis, J. M.S. Vol 14: 107-116. Birds of Lake Naivasha 2: Foraging niches and relationships between migrant and resident warblers in papyrus swamp. Tyler, S.J. Vol 14: 117-124. Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius feeding on Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris in Tsavo, Kenya. Akesson, S. Vol 15: 46-47. Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus breaks open tree hole to aid prey capture. Fanshawe, J. H. & FitzGibbon, C. D. Vol 15: 47. Courtship feeding in Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds Pogoniulus bilineatus. Bennun, L. A. Vol 15: 64. Changes in the populations of piscivorous birds at Lake Naivasha, Kenya between 1987 and 1989. Taylor, C. D., Smart, A. C. & Muchuri, S. M. Vol 15: 120-122. First description of the nest of Yellow Flycatcher Erythrocercus holochlorus. Moyer, D. C., Short, L. L., Horne, J. F. M. & Wachira, J. Vol 15: 129-131. Leucistic White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides in Kenya. Hume, R. A. Vol 15: Sigh First breeding record for Gambaga Flycatcher Muscicapa gambagae in East Africa. Richards, D. Vol 15: 137-138. Kenya: records A record of the European Pochard Aythya ferina from Lake Ol Bolossat, Keng. Duffus, W. P. H. & Butterworth, A. E. Vol 1: 21-22. A Kenya record of Cercococcyx montanus at sea-level. Britton, P. L. Vol 1: 23-24. First record of Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae in Kenya. Mann, Clive F. Vol 1: 44— 4S. East African Bird Report 1991] 185 Slender-billed Gulls Larus genei and other Palaearctic gulls at Lake Turkana, Decem- ber 1976. Pearson, D. J. Vol 1: 45-47. An injured Sanderling Calidris alba in breeding plumage at Mombasa. Britton, P. L. & Britton, H. A. Vol 1: 48. Further records of the Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis on the north Kenya coast. Britton, P. L. Vol 1: 48. Exceptional numbers of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa wintering at Lake Naivasha during 1976/77. Meadows, B. S. Vol 1: 49-50. First record of the Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur in Kenya. Horne, Jennifer F. M. & hort d-ester 1... Vol 1: 50. A new host for the Black and White Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus. Turner, D. A. Vol 1: 51-52. A small heronry at Lake Jipe, Tsavo. Lack, Peter Vol 1: 82. A Taita Falcon Falco fasctinucha in Tsavo. Pelchen, H. Vol 1: 83-84. A Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia from Kenya. Fayad, V. C. & Fayad, C. C. Vol 1: 84-86. The appearance of the Golden-backed Weaver in Amboseli. Walters, J. Vol 2: 26—27. The heronry at Lake Jipe. Turner, D. A. Vol 2: 47-48. The Lesser Golden Plover in Kenya. Plumb, W. J. Vol 2: 72-73. A second record of Dickinson’s Kestrel in southern Kenya. Zimmerman, D. A. Vol 2: 73-74. Mascarene Martins in Kenya. Zimmerman, D. A. Vol 2: 74~-75.- Two records of Knot Calidris canutus from the Kenyan coast. Taylor, P. B. Vol 2: 97- 98. Little Gull Larus minutus at Lake Turkana: a new bird for Kenya. Groh, G. Vol 3: 26. First and last dates for some Palaearctic migrants [1978]. Vol 2: 122-123. Notes on the birds of Lengetia Farm, Mau Narok, from the diaries of the late P. H. B. Sessions. Britton, P. L. Vol 3: 54-57. Phalaropes in coastal Kenya. Britton, P. L. Vol 3: 58. Somali Bee-eater Merops revoilii in Tsavo West. Archer, A. L. Vol 3: 58-95. The white throated form of the Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka in Kenya. Pearson, D. J. & Backhurst, G. C. Vol 3: 79. Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata at Amboseli: a new bird for Kenya. Moore, R. D. Vol 3: 103. First and last dates for some Palaearctic migrants [1979]. Vol 3: 119. The Green Crombec Sylvietta virens in Kenya. Gerhart, J. D. & Paxton, R. O. Vol 4: 47. Occurrence of a Black Tern Chlidonias niger at Dandora, Kenya. Pearson, D. J. & Lewis, A. D. Vol 4: 95-96. The Gambaga Flycatcher Muscicapa gambagae in northern Kenya. Pearson, D. J., Lewis, A. D. & Turner D. A. Vol 4: 96. First and last dates for some Palaearctic migrants [1980]. Vol 4: 120-121. 186 East African Bird Report 1991 First and last dates for some Palaearctic migrants [1981]. Vol 5: 151-152. Wilson’s Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus in Kenya. Britton, P. L. Vol 5: 31. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus in Tsavo. Pearson, D. J. Vol 5: 57. Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus at Nairobi. Lewis, A. D. Vol 5: 57. A record of the Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis from Nairobi. Lewis, A. D. Vol 52/60) Pintado Petrel Daption capense in Kenya. Sinclair, J.C. Vol 5: White-eyed Pochards Aythya nyroca in central Kenya during early 1981. Meadows, B. S. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 5: 77-79. Long-tailed Skuas Stercorarius longicaudus at the Kenya coast. Moore, R. D. Vol 5: ea The Somali Sparrow Passer castanopterus: a breeding record for East Africa. Lewis, A. D. Vol 5: 83. Red-footed Falcons Falco vespertinus in Tsavo West National Park. Taylor, P’B.\VorS: 125-126. First East African record of the Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis. Taylor, P.B. Vol 5: 126-127. Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur in Kenya. Haas, V., Haussler, U. & Stick, R. Vol 5: 128. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos at Mombasa. Taylor, P. B. Vol 6: 21-22. Further records of Slender-billed Gull Larus genei at Lake Turkana. Stevenson, T. Vol 6: 22-23. Slender-billed Gull Larus genei at Mombasa. Taylor, P. B. Vol 6: 23-24. ‘White-tailed’ White-headed Barbet in central western Kenya. Short, L. L. & Horne, J. F.M. Vol 6: 40-41. Further records of the Grey-crested Helmet Shrike. Lewis, A. D. Vol 6: 47-48. Large numbers of Palaearctic ducks in the Omo Delta, Lake Turkana. Stevenson, T. Vol G72: Records of the Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis at Nakuru, Rift Valley, Kenya, and a note on its prey. Haas, V., Marshall, I. G. & Lewis, A. D. Vol 6: 101-102. The Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator in Nairobi. Lewis, A. D. Vol 6: 102—103. First and last dates for some Palaearctic migrant landbirds [1982]. Vol 6: 127. The Black and White Flycatcher Bias musicus in Kenya. Diamond, A. W. Vol 7: 22. The first record of the northeastern race of the Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus in Kenya. Moore, R. D. Vol 7: 23. Range extension and population increase of the House Sparrow in Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 7: 23-26. A record of the Grey-crested Helmet Shrike near Naivasha, Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 7: 26-27. A melanistic Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago near Nairobi: an example of Sabine’s Snipe? Taylor, P. B. Vol 7: 50-51. Old records of some scarce or little-known species from Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 7: 89-90. East African Bird Report 1991 187 Further records of the white-throated form of the Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka from Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 7: 96. A second record of the Nubian Shrike Lanius nubicus in East Africa. Stevenson, T. Vol 7: 97-98. First and last dates for some Palaearctic migrant landbirds [1983]. Vol 7: 134. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus pacificus off Ras Ngomeni, Kenya. Pearson, D. J. & Coverdale, M. A. C. Vol 8: 24. Notes on the ranges of three species in northern and eastern Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 8: 27-28. Recent Kenya records of Clarke’s Weaver Ploceus golandi and an indication of its breeding season. Taylor, P. B. Vol 8: 28-29. A Broad-billed Prion Pachyptila vittata on the Kenya coast. Coverdale, M. A. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 8: 43. A Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura at Naivasha. Pearson, D. J. Vol 8: 45-46. Four-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus in northwest Kenya. Lewis, A. D., Loefler, I. J. P. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 8: 46-47. Hinde’s Pied Babbler Turdoides hindei south of Machakos, Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 8: 48-49. A Kenya record of the Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica. Backhurst, D., Pearson, D. J. & Lewis, D. K. Vol 8: 50-51. Shoebill Balaeniceps rex: a deletion from the Kenya avifauna. Parker, I. S. C. Vol 8: 79. First and last dates for some Palaearctic migrant landbirds [1984]. Vol 8: 121. Shoebill Balaeniceps rex: a deletion from the Kenya avifauna. Britton, P. & H. Vol 9: 50. Gillett’s Lark Mirafra gilletti new to Kenya. Miskell, J. E. & Ash, J. S. Vol 9: 53-54. A record of the lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel from Kenya. Grant, L. Vol 9: 110-111. Notes on some birds of the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. Short, L. L. & Horne, J. F. M. Vol B F197—126. Notes on some birds of Ol Ari Nyiro, Laikipia Plateau. Short, L. L. & Horne, J. F. M. Vol 9: 137-140. Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti in Kenya. Backhurst, G. C. Vol 9: 140-141. On the claimed occurrence of the Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata in Kenya. Turner, D. A. Vol 9: 142. First and last dates of some Palaearctic migrant landbirds [1985]. Vol 9: 159. A second record of Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax from Kenya. Boothroyd, B. Vol 10: 28-29. Southern Tana River observations. Archer, A. L. Vol 10: 107-108. First and last dates of some Palaearctic migrant landbirds [1986]. Vol 10: 131. Raptor counts in Kenya, 1973 and 1983. Oliver, P. J. Vol 11: 19-22. Additional Marabou colony in Kenya. Boothroyd, B. Vol 11: 19. A Kenya record of the Shy Albatross Diomedea cauta. Gichuki, C. M. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 11: 44. 188 East African Bird Report 1991 Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola aberrans near Kichwa Tembo, Maasai Mara, S. W. Kenya. Finch, B. W. Vol 11: 44-46. A second Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides at Ngulia. Pearson, D. J., Finch, B. W. & Backhurst, D. E.G. Vol 11: 94. Riippell’s Weaver Ploceus galbula new to Kenya. Ash, J. S. Vol 11: 94-95. First and last dates of some Palaearctic migrants in Kenya [1987]. Vol 11: 114-115. First and last dates of some Palaearctic migrants in Kenya [1988]. Vol 12: 125. The Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides in Kenya. Thomsett, S. Vol 13: 116-117. Barbary Falcons Falco pelegrinoides in Tsavo. Pearson, D. J., Backhurst, G. C., Finch, B. W. & Turner, D. A. Vol 13: 117-118. A record of Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhami denhami in N. W. Kenya. Romig, T. Vol LSP IS: A second Kenya record of the Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis. Finch, B. W. & Turner, D. A. Vol 13: 120-121. Blue Swallows Hirundo atrocaerulea near Busia: the second record for Kenya. Finch, B. W. Vol 13: 125-126. Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor in the Ilemi Triangle. Pearson, D. J., Coverdale, M. A. C., Archer, A. L. & Forbes-Watson, A. D. Vol 13: 134. First and last dates of some Palaearctic migrants in Kenya [1989]. Vol 13: 164. Streaky-breasted Pygmy Crakes Sarothrura boehmi in Nairobi National Park. Turner, D. A. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 14: 30. Green Crombecs Sylvietta virens in Busia District, W. Kenya. Turner, D. A. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 14: 31-32. First and last dates of some Palaearctic migrants in Kenya [1990]. Vol 14: 158. New birds from Kenya’s northern border area. Turner, D. A. & Coverdale, M. A. C. Vol 15: 48-49. Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs in northern Kenya. Coverdale, M. A. C., Archer, A. L. & Pearson D. J. Vol 15: 50. Two previously undocumented first records for Kenya. Turner, D. A., Zimmerman, D. A. & Pearson D. J. Vol 15: 44. Smith’s Francolin Francolinus levaillantoides and other distributional records from the Huri Hills, northern Kenya. Pearson, D. J. Vol 15: 4446. New birds from Kakamega, western Kenya, including new breeding records. Savalli, U.M. Vol 15: 35-41. Black-bellied Storm Petrel Fregetta tropica, Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata and Thin-billed Prion P. belcheri: three species new to Kenya and East Africa. Fanshawe, J. H., Prince, P. & Irwin, M. Vol 15: 102-108. An Antarctic Prion Pachyptila desolata of unknown origin. Fanshawe, J. H. & Prince, POA. Nolpisal20; Eurasian Wrynecks Jynx torquilla in western Kenya. Stevenson, T. & Webster J . Vol Iss W206 First record of the Locust Finch Ortygospiza locustella in Kenya. Stevenson, T. Vol 15: 13S: East African Bird Report 1991 189 First record of the Black-bellied Seed-cracker Pyrenestes ostrinus in Kenya. Stevenson, T. Vol 15: 133-134. A record of the Orange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra from western Kenya. Stevenson, T. Vols 135, , First and last dates of some Palaearctic migrants in Kenya [1991]. Vol 15: 171. Kenya: migration, ringing Southward migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, Kenya, 1976/77. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 1: 12-17. Ethiopian Region birds attracted to the lights of Ngulia Safari Lodge, Kenya. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 1: 98-103. An April fall of Palaearctic migrants at Ngulia. Britton, P. L. & Britton H. A. Vol 1: 109-111. Two migratory thrushes and the African Pitta in coastal Kenya. Britton, P. L. & Rathbun, G. B. Vol 2: 11-17. Substantial wintering populations of the Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis in eastern Kenya. Pearson, D. J., Britton, H. A. & Britton, P. L. Vol 2: 33-35. Southward migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, Kenya 1977/78. Pearson, D. J. & Backhurst, G. C. Vol 2: 42-47. On the wintering of the Wigeon Anas penelope in the Kenya highlands. Meadows, B. S. Vol 2: 97. Southward migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, Kenya 1978/9. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 3: 19-25. Southward migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, Kenya 1979/80. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 4: 14-20. Northward spring passage of Palaearctic passerines across Tsavo. Pearson, D. J. Vol 4: 25-28. An experiment to attract migrating birds with car headlights in the Chyulu Hills, Kenya. Nikolaus, G. Vol 4: 45-46. A survey of wintering Palaearctic waders in the southern part of the Kenyan rift valley. Pearson, D. J. & Stevenson, T. Vol 4: 59-63. Arrival and departure times of Palaearctic waders on the Kenya coast. Pearson, D. J. & Britton, P. L. Vol 4: 84-88. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, November 1980—January 1981. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 5: 28-30. Stork and raptor migration in South Nyanza, Kenya. Lewis, A. D. & Pearson, D. J. Vol S51, Spring falls of Palaearctic passerines at Mtito Andei, Kenya. Pearson, D. J. Vol 5: 80- 81. Raptor and stork migration at Namanga, southern Kenya. Lewis, A. D. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 5: 83-84. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, November—December 1981. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 5: 28-30. 190 East African Bird Report 199] Pelican migration in the Kenya Rift Valley. Lewis, A. D. Vol 6: 40. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, October-December 1982. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 6: 144-145. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1983. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 7: 136-138. Some counts of wintering waders on the south Kenya coast. Pearson, D. J. Vol 8: 93— O57 Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1984. Backhurst, G. C., Kelsey, M. G. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 8: 128-130. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1985. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 9: 160-162. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1986. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 10: 133-136. The attraction of Palaearctic migrants to lights at Kiambere, Kenya. Boothroyd, B. Vol 11: 38-41. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1987. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson D. J. Vol 11: 120-122. August and October arrivals of the Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus in S. W. Kenya. Lewis, A. D. Vol 12: 101-102. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1988. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 12: 127-129. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1989-90. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 13: 181-183. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1990. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 14: 159-164. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1991. Backhurst, G. C. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 15: 172-177. Kenya: status, distribution, identification Status of Friedmann’s Bush-Lark Mirafra pulpa. Lack, P. C. Vol 1: 34-39. Greenbuls of the Taita Hills, S. E. Kenya. Turner, D. A. Vol 3: 27-28. Field identification of Kenya greenbuls. Turner, D. A. & Zimmermann, D. A. Vol 3: 33-47. Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomarina in Kenya during 1978/79, with comments on the identification of the species. Pearson, D. J. & Meadows, B.S. Vol 3: 48-53. Preliminary comparisons between the avifaunas of the North Nandi and Kakamega forests. Diamond, A. W. & Fayad, V. C. Vol 3: 93-100. Avifauna of Kenya forest islands. 1—Mount Kulal. Diamond, A. W. & Keith, G. S. Vol 4: 49-55. The avifauna of Mrima Hill, south Kenya coast. Britton, P. L., Britton, H. AL & Coverdale, M. A. C. Vol 4: 73-78. Notes on the avifaunas of the Kakamega and Nandi Forests. Mann, C. F. Vol 4: 97-98. The identity of two Ficedula flycatchers recently collected in Kenya. Pearson, D. J. Vol 5: 59-60. East African Bird Report 1991 191 The past and present status and distribution of the Grey-crested Helmet Shrike Prionops poliolopha. Lewis, A. D. Vol 5: 66-70. Storm-Petrels Hydrobatidae off the Kenya coast. Taylor, P. B. Vol 6: 13-16. The Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, the Sprosser Luscinia luscinia and the Irania Trania gutturalis in Kenya. Pearson, D. J. Vol 8: 18-23. The Marabou in Kenya. Pomeroy, D. E. Vol 10: 1-9. Sightings of Long-toed Stints Calidris subminuta at Naivasha. Pearson, D. J. Vol 10: 41-42. The avifauna of Ol Doinyo Orok, a forest island: initial findings. Bennun, L. A., Gichuki, C., Darlington, J. & Ng’ weno, F. Vol 10: 83-86. The Yellow-streaked Greenbul in Kenya. Zimmerman, D. A. Vol 10: 112. An avifaunal survey of the Trans-Mara Forest, Kenya. Bennun, L. A. Vol 14: 61-72. Avifauna of Nguuni near Mombasa, Kenya, between September 1984 and October 1987: Part I—Afrotropical species. Ryall, C. Vol 15: 1-23. Avifauna of Nguuni near Mombasa, Kenya, between September 1984 and October 1987: Part II—Palaearctic species. Ryall, C. Vol 15: 84-92. Numbers, distribution and seasonality of Palaearctic duck in Kenya. Pearson, D. J. & Meadows, B. S. Vol 15: 109-119. Tanzania: records, distribution Wattled Plovers Vanellus senegallus in Tanzania. Reynolds, J. F. Vol 1: 22-23. Wattled Plover Vanellus senegallus in Tanzania. Beesley, John S. S. Vol 1: 45. Distribution of Agapornis species in Tanzania. Gerhart, John D. Vol 1: 51. Taita Falcon Falco fascitinucha from the Gol Mountains, Tanzania. Geertsema, A. A. Vol 1: 83. Birds of Latham Island, Tanzania. Gerhart, J. D. & Turner, D. A. Vol 2: 1-7. Wattled Plover in central Tanzania. Harpum, J. Vol 2: 20. Olive-tree Warbler at Dodoma, central Tanzania. Harpum, J. Vol 2: 24-25. A roost of Black-chested Snake Eagles in the Serengeti, Tanzania. Malcolm, J. R. Vol 2: 48. Large numbers of Falco amurensis in Tanzania. Harpum, J. Vol 2: 48-49. The Anderson collection from Tanzania. Britton, P. L. Vol 2: 77-85. Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus in Tanzania. Harvey, W. G. Vol 3: 28-29. Bare-eyed Thrush Turdus tephronotus from the Selous Game Reserve. Howell, K. M. & Msuya, C. A. Vol 3: 29. Distribution of the Chestnut-banded Sandplover Charadrius pallidus in Tanzania. Richards, D. K. Vol 4: 24. Some range extensions and other notable records of forest birds from eastern and northeastern Tanzania. Stuart, S. N. & Turner, D. A. Vol 4: 36-41. The Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius in coastal Tanzania. Howell, K. M., Msuya, C. A. & Stuart, S. N. Vol 4: 44. The Mountain Buzzard Buteo tachardus in Tanzania. Turner, D. A. Vol 4: 92-93. 192 East African Bird Report 1991 Notes on the Anderson collection and other specimens from Tanzania housed in some West German museums. Britton, P. L. Vol 5: 14-21. Some additions to the forest avifauna of the Uzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. Stuart, S. N., Howell, K. M., van der Willigen, T. A. & Geertsema, A. A. Vol 5: 46-50. Some notes on the Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius in Tanzania. Fuggles- Couchman N. R. Vol 5: 58. Further range extensions and other notable records of forest birds from Tanzania. Stuart, S. N. & Jensen, F P. Vol 5: 106-115. Bird observations from Tabora Region, Tanzania. Walton, R. K. Vol 5: 116-120. A breeding record of White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus in Tanzania. Beesley, J. S. S. Vol 5: 125. Oversummering Pintail Anas acuta in northern Tanzania. Beesley, J. S. S. Vol 5: 125. Altitude record for Red-necked Spurfowl Francolinus afer. Baker, N. E. Vol 5: 126. Some new birds and extensions of range for S. W. Tanzania. Stjernstedt, R. & Moyer, D.C. Vol 6: 36-37. Giant Petrel Macronectes sp. in Tanzania Britton, P. L. Vol 6: 42. A record of the Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata from lake Sundu in southwestern Tanzania. Moyer, D.C. Vol 7: 51. A record of the Angola White-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia oustaleti from Kasesya in southwestern Tanzania. Moyer, D. C. Vol 7: 52. A pair of White-backed Night Herons Gorsachius leuconotus in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Kleinbaum, M. & Alden, P. Vol 7: 90-91. On the occurrence of Onychognathus fulgidus the Chestnut-winged Starling in Tanza- nia. Fuggles-Couchman, N. R. Vol 7: 98-99. The distribution of, and other notes on, some birds of Tanzania. Fuggles-Couchman, N. R. Vol 8: 1-17, 73-78, 81-92. Shoebill Balaeniceps rex and Wattled Crane Grus carunculatus in the Moyowosi swamp, Tanzania. Parker, I. S.C. Vol 8: 24—25. Some specimen records from the Ruvuma River, frontier of Mozambique and Tanzania. Brooke, R. K. Vol 8: 30. Recent coastal records of the White-starred Forest Robin Pogonocichla stellata in Tanzania. Baker, N. E. Vol 8: 51-52. Streaky-breasted Pygmy Crake Sarothrura boehmi: first documented records for Tanzania. Baker, N. E., Beakbane, A. J. & Boswell E. M. Vol 8: 64-66. The record of the Angola White-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia oustaleti from Kigoma in western Tanzania. Dillingham, I. H. Vol 8: 80. A record of Bar-breasted Firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta nitidula from Tanzania. Moyer, D. C. Vol 8: 99-100. The White-chested Alethe Alethe fuelleborni in Tanzania. Jensen, F. P., Brogger-Jensen, S. & Peterson, G. Vol 9: 127-132. Breeding records of some Tanzanian birds. Fuggles-Couchman, N. R. Vol 10: 20-26. Birds visiting a recently filled dam in Tanzania. Fuggles-Couchman, N. R. Vol 10: 55— 58. East African Bird Report 1991 193 A new bird for East Africa and extensions of range of some species for southwest Tanzania. Moyer, D. C. & Stjernstedt, R. Vol 10: 99-102. Minziro Forest Reserve: an ornithological note including seven additions to the Tanzanian list. Baker, N. E. & Hirslund, P. Vol 11: 9-12. Stripe-cheeked Greenbul Andropadus milanjensis in Mbulu District, northern Tanzania. Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Stjernstedt, R. Vol 11: 46. Shy Albatross Diomedia cauta: the first record for Tanzania. Baker, N. E. & Fison, T. Mold: 115. Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana: first record for East Africa. Baker, N. E. & Boswell, E. M. Vol 13: 123-124. Birds of Ngwazi, Mufindi District, Tanzania. Moyer, D. C., Lovett, J. C. & de Leyser, E. A. Vol 14: 6-13. Sighting of Black-billed Barbets Lybius guifsobalito in Tanzania. Speir, R. P. G. Vol 14: 31. Preliminary assessment of forest birds in Kiono, Pande, Kisiju and Kiwengoma coastal forests, Tanzania. Burgess, N. D., Huxham, M. R., Mlingwa, C. O. F., Davies, S. G. F. & Cutts C. J. Vol 14: 97-106. Rondo Forest Reserve, Tanzania: an ornithological note including new records of the East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi, the Spotted Ground Thrush Turdus fischeri and the Rondo Green Barbet Stactolaema olivacea woodward.. Holsten, B., Braunlich, A. & Huxham, M. Vol 14: 125-128. Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae in the Matumbi Hills, Tanzania. Davies, S. Vol 152,50. Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae in Tanzania. Baker, N. E. Vol 15: 51-52. New records of the Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis from Kiono Forest Reserve, Bagamoyo District, N. E. Tanzania. Burgess, N. D., Cutts, C. J. & Huxham, M. Vol 15: 56-57. Further records of the Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis from Tanzania. Mlingwa, C. Vol 15: 57-58. The forest avifauna of the Uzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. Jensen, Flemming P. & Brggger-Jensen, S. Vol 15: 65-83. Tanzania: behaviour, food, breeding habits Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis associating with hippo. Forbes-Watson, A. D. & Turner, D. A. Vol 1: 21. Responses of Little Bee-eaters to a Black-throated Honeyguide entering their nest hole. @arter, © Vol2: 23. First recorded nest site of Alethe fuelleborni. Carter, C. Vol 2: 25. Species-pair association of Stonechat and Black-lored Cisticola in southwest Tanzania. Harpum, J. Vol 2: 99-100. Notes on the feeding habits of Pied and Indian House Crows. Tyler, S. J. Vol 4: 44-45. Is Moreau’s Sunbird Nectarinia moreaui a hybrid species? Stuart, S. N. & van der Willigen, Tessa A. Vol 4: 56-58. 194 East African Bird Report 1991 An explanation for the disjunct distribution of Modulatrix orostruthus and Apalis (or Orthotomus) moreaut. Stuart, S. N. Vol 5: 1-4. Vocal and other behaviour of Stierling’s Woodpecker Dendropicos stierlingi. Short, L. L. & Horne, J. F. M. Vol 5: 5-13. East African Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum gibbericeps ecology and behaviour in northern Tanzania. Frame, G. W. Vol 6: 60-69. A breeding record of the White-rumped Babbler Turdoides leucopygius from Tanzania. Moyer, D.C. Vol 6: 103. Unusual breeding records made from a helicopter in Tanzania. Elliott, C. C. H. Vol 7: 33-36. On the breeding of the Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops in Tanzania. Fuggles- Couchman, N.R. Vol 7: 99-100. Eastern-bearded Scrub Robin Cercotrichas quadrivirgata bathing in a tree hole. Baker, N. E. Vol 7: 95-96. Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus attacking hartebeest calf Alcelaphus buselaphus. Elliott, C. C. H. Vol 8: 45. Response of a Blacksmith Plover Vanellus armatus to ants attacking a hatching egg. Reynolds, J. F. Vol 8: 79. Ground nesting of Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos. Baker, N. E. Vol 9: 50-52. Frugivorous pelicans: fish or fig? Forbes-Watson, A. D. Vol 11: 23. Calling by the Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius in relation to rainfall. Prins, H. H. T. Vol 12: 94-96. Migrant Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni associating with plains game in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Fanshawe, J. H. Vol 13: 115-116. Ground Hornbills Bucorvus cafer and Marabou Storks Leptoptilos crumeniferus feeding in association with mammals. Mlingwa, C. Vol 14: 23-24. Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons feeding on a frog. Baker, N. E. Vol 15: 132. Tanzania: migration Eleonora’s Falcon wintering in southern Tanzania. Turner, D. A. Vol 2: 49-50. Nocturnal Afrotropical migrants at Mufindi, southern Tanzania. Beakbane, A. J. & Boswell, E. M. Vol 8: 124-127. Four Afrotropical migrants on the East African coast: evidence for a common origin. Baker, N. E. & E. M. Vol 15: 122-124. Uganda: records, distribution The Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa in Uganda. Carswell, M. Vol 1: 49. Notes from the Rwenzori Mountains, including a description of the nest and eggs of Archer’s Ground Robin Dryocichloides archeri. Masterson, A. N. B. Vol 5: 33-34. Birds, including a hybrid, new to Uganda. Ash, J. S. Vol 9: 133-137. The less common Palaearctic migrant birds of Uganda. Pearson, D. J. & Turner, D. A. Vol 10: 61-82. East African Bird Report 1991 195 Montane birds of the Bwindi (Impenetrable) Forest. Bennun, L. A. Vol 10: 87-91. A Levant Sparrowhawk specimen from Uganda. Pearson, D. J. Vol 10: 107. Additions to the known avifauna of the Impenetrable (Bwindi) Forest, southwestern Uganda. Butynski, T. M. & Kalina, J. Vol 12: 79-82. An ornithological survey of the Kasyoha-Kitomi and Itwara Forests, Uganda. Buckley, P. & McNeilage, A. Vol 13: 97-108. Additional ornithological records from five western Uganda forests. Buckley, P., McNeilage, A. & Walker, C. Vol 13: 109-113. Two new records for Uganda. Dranzoa, C. & Rodrigues, R. Vol 14: 32-33. Additions to the East African avifauna. Ash, J. S., Dowsett, R. J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, ree vol l4 973-75. Comments on the status and distribution of birds in western Uganda. Ash, J. S., Coverdale, M. A. C., & Gullick, T. M. Vol 15: 24-29. Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi migration in Uganda. Ash, J. S. Vol 15: 42-43. Specimen of the Sprosser Luscinia luscinia from Uganda. Carswell, M. Vol 15: 128. Ornithological survey of ten Uganda Forest Reserves 1991. Francis, I. S. & Penford, N. Vol 15: 163-170. Uganda: behaviour, ecology, breeding habits Aspects of the ecology of Crowned Cranes Balearica regulorum in Uganda. Pomeroy, D. E. Vol 4: 29-35. Heuglin’s Masked Weaver Ploceus heuglini nesting in Busoga, Uganda. Carswell, M. Vol 4: 47. A breeding record for Cassin’s Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus africanus. Skorupa, J. P. Vol 5: 52-54. East African breeding records for Cossypha cyanocampter and Onychognathus fulgidus. Skorupa, J. P. Vol 6: 46-47. First nest record for Petit’s Cuckoo Shrike Campephaga petiti. Skorupa, J. P. Vol 6: 72-73. Bill abnormality in a Black Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides. Pomeroy, D. E. Vol 7: 97. White-faced Scops Owl Otus leucotis breeding at Makerere, Uganda. Goodman, J. & Pomeroy, D. Vol 8: 27. Example of apparent hybridization between Terpsiphone rufiventer and Terpsiphone viridis. Carswell, M. Vol 8: 98-99. Notes on behaviour and plumage dimorphism in Lagden’s Bush Shrike Malaconotus lagdeni. Bennun, L. A. Vol 9: 111-114. The composition of Bwindi Forest bird parties. Bennun, L. A. Vol 10: 108-111. A nest record for Phylloscopus laetus the Red-faced Woodland Warbler. Bennun, L. A. Vol 10: 113. Second nest record for Archer’s Ground Robin Dryocichloides archeri. Butynski, T. M. & Kalina, J. Vol 12: 88-89. 196 East African Bird Report 1991 First nest record, and other notes, for the Scaly-breasted Illadopsis Trichastoma albipectus. Butynski, T. M. Vol 12: 89-92. Description of nest and eggs of the Mountain Illadopsis Trichastoma PONE Rap STH Butynski, T. M. & Kalina, J. Vol 13: 131-132. First nest record of the Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis. Kalina, J. & Butynski, T. M. Vol 13: 132-133. First East African nest record for the Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma vittatum. Kalina, J. & Baranga, J. Vol 15: 54-55. Nesting association between Narrow-tailed Starlings Poeoptera lugubris and Grey- throated Barbets Gymnobucco bonapartei. Baranga, J. & Kalina, J. Vol 15: 59-61. Association between the Red-throated Alethe Alethe poliophrys and the Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis. Kalina, J. & Baranga, J. Vol 15: 61-62. Northeastern Africa—Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti The White-winged Dove Streptopelia reichenowi in S. E. Ethiopia, comparisons with other species and a field key for identification. Brown, L. H. Vol 1: 107-109. Wahlberg’s Eagle nesting in Ethiopia. Vittery, A. Vol 2: 18-19. Wahlberg’s Eagle in northeastern Africa and the first record for Somalia. Brown, L. H. Vol 2: 19-20. The Madagascar Pratincole Glareola ocularis in Somalia. Benson, C. W. Vol 2: 21. Observations on the nesting of the Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris in N. E. Eritrea. Tyler, S. Vol 2: 39-41. Bird ringing in an Addis Ababa garden. Tyler, S. Vol 3: 1-8. Common and Lesser Noddy Anous stolidus and A. tenuirostris in Somalia. Ash, J. S. Vol 4: 6-9. Arabian Golden Sparrows Passer euchloris in Somalia and Djibouti. Ash, J. S., Miskell, J. E. & Murshid, Ali A. Vol 4: 22-24. The Lesser Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica in northeast Africa and the Red Sea. Ash, J.S. Vol 4: 64-66. Roseate and Sooty Terns Sterna dougallii and re breeding on islets in southern Somalia. Ash, J. S. & Karani, A. A. Vol 5: 22-27. The Dunlin Calidris alpina in Ethiopia and Somalia. Ash, J. S. & Miskell, J. E. Vol 5: 32-33. Desert Wheatears Oenanthe deserti in Ethiopia and Somalia. Ash, J. S. Vol 5: 35-36. Breeding of the Spur-winged Goose Plectopterus gambensis in Ethiopia. Ash, J. S. Vol ig DZ. Ayres’ Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus dubius in Ethiopia and Somalia. Ash, J. S. Vol 5: 54— 56. Spring passage of Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus and other waders off the coast of Somalia. Ash, J. S. Vol 5: 71-76. Basra Reed Warblers Acrocephalus griseldis overwintering in Somalia. Ash, J. S. & Miskell, J. E. Vol 5: 81-82. Bird-ringing results and ringed bird recoveries in Ethiopia. Ash, J. S. Vol 5: 85-101. East African Bird Report 1991 197 The status and distribution of the Arabian Bustard Otis arabs in northeastern Africa, and its possible occurrence in northern Kenya. Turner, D. A. Vol 6: 20-21. Wilson’s Petrels Oceanites oceanicus off Somalia. Ash, J. S. Vol 6: 38-39. Wintering waterfowl in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia. Malcolm, J. R. Vol 6: 70-71. Movements of Palaearctic raptors in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Vittery, A. Vol 7: 1-9. Over fifty additions of birds to the Somalia list including two hybrids, together with notes from Ethiopia and Kenya. Ash, J. S. Vol 7: 54-79. Sooty Terns Sterna fuscata in Somalia, with inland occurrences. Ash, J. S. & Ash, J. W. Vol 7: 80-84. Observations on nesting of the Brown Swift Apus niansae in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Urban, E. K. Vol 8: 97-98. Bird observations from northwest Somalia. Clarke, G. Vol 9: 2442. Mid-winter observations from Djibouti. Ash, J. S. Vol 9: 43-49. Leucistic Somali birds. Clarke, G. Vol 9: 54-55. Two additions to the Somalia list: Greater Frigatebird Fregata minor and Indian House Crow Corvus splendens. Ash, J. S. Vol 9: 108-110. Interactions between resident and migratory wagtails Motacilla spp. in Ethiopia—an ecological conundrum. Tyler, S. J. & Ormerod, S. J. Vol 10: 10-19. Palaearctic migrants observed in.the Omo River valley, S. W. Ethiopia, during October-November 1984. Becker, C. D. Vol 10: 27-28. Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus off the coast of Somalia and Kenya. Schiemann, H. Vol 10: 42-44. Notes on the Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea in N. W. Somalia. Clarke, G. Vol 10: 47-49. A weaver roost at Hargeisa, Somalia. Clarke, G. Vol 10: 52-55. Hunting technique of the African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro and its possible relation- ship with other Accipiter species. Wood, B. Vol 11: 6-8. Dietary overlap between Mountain Wagtails Motacilla clara, Grey Wagtails Motacilla cinerea and Green Sandpipers Tringa ochropus in Ethiopia. Tyler, S. J. & Ormerod, S.0. Vobti: 33—37. Some summer records from northwest Somalia. Proud, A. Vol 11: 41-43. Ficedula species in Ethiopia. Tyler, S. J. Vol 11: 54-55. Observations on birds in Somalia in 1978-82, together with a bibliography of recent literature. Ash, J. S. & Miskell, J. E. Vol 11: 57-78. Roadside counts from southern Somalia. Wood, B. Vol 11: 87-93. House Sparrows Passer domesticus in Somalia. Ash, J. S. & Miskell, J. E. Vol 11: 96— Oi. Palaearctic migrants in the middle and lower Jubba valley, southern Somalia. Pearson, D. J. Vol 12: 53-60. Eastern Red-footed Falcons Falco amurensis and Red-footed Falcon F. vespertinus in Somalia and Ethiopia. Ash, J. S. & Miskell, J. E. Vol 12: 61-64. Madagascar Pratincoles Glareola ocularis and other pratincoles in Somalia. Ash, J. S. & Miskell, J. E. Vol 12: 65-68. 198 East African Bird Report 1991 An important coastal wader feeding area in southern Somalia. Pearson, D. J. Vol 12: 97-98. The present situation regarding the endemic breeding birds of Ethiopia. Ash, J. S. & Gullick, T. M. Vol 13: 90-96. The existence of a form of cliff swallow Hirundo sp. in Ethiopia. Madge, S. C. & Redman, N. J. Vol 13: 126-129. Notes on the breeding behaviour of the Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus in Somalia. Miskell, J. Vol 13: 124-125. First record of the African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus for Ethiopia. Redman, N. J. & Cederland, C-G. Vol 14: 17-19. The Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica in S. W. Ethiopia. de Castro, J. J. & de Castro, M. Vol 14: 22. Breeding records from southern Somalia. Schels, C. Vol 14: 28-29. Additions to Birds of Somalia, their habitat, status and distribution (Ash & Miskell 1983). Douthwaite, R. J. & Miskell, J. E. Vol 14: 37-60. Palaearctic and Afrotropical ducks and geese at Gaferssa Reservoir, Ethiopia, 1964— 1970. Urban, E. K. Vol 14: 92-96. Status of some bird species endemic to south Ethiopia. Syvertsen, P. O. & Dellelegen, Y. Vol 15: 30-34. The African Sand Martin Riparia paludicola: new for Somalia. Miskell, J., Osman Gedow Amir, Schels, C. & Abdi Wahab Abdi Abdulle. Vol 15: 58. Vocalizations of the Somali Wheatear Oenanthe phillipsi. Miskell, J. Vol 15: 63. Golden Weaver Ploceus subaureus—new for Somalia. Schels, C. & Miskell, J. Vol 15: 63-64. Wing-flicking and vocalizations of wheatears Oenanthe spp. Tye, A. Vol 15: . 138. Sudan Notes on some birds new to South Sudan. Nikolaus, G. Vol 3: 68-73. The first record of the Basra Reed Warbler in the Sudan. Nikolaus, G. Vol 3: 103-104. Palaearctic migrants new to the North Sudan. Nikolaus, G. Vol 5: 121-124. Further notes on some birds new to South Sudan. Nikolaus, G. Vol 6: 1-4. Some results of the Field Museum 1977 Expedition to South Sudan. Traylor, M. A. & Archer, A. L. Vol 6: 5-12. Autumn passage of Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris and Sprossers Luscinia luscinia on the Sudan Red Sea coast. Nikolaus, G. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 6: 17-19. First ringing report for the Sudan. Nikolaus, G. & Backhurst, G. C. Vol 6: 77-90. An important passerine ringing site near the Sudan Red Sea coast. Nikolaus, G. Vol 7: 15-18. Attraction of nocturnal migrants to car headlights in the Sudan Red Sea Hills. Nikolaus, G. & Pearson, D. J. Vol 7: 19-20. A bird cemetery in the Nubian Desert, Sudan. Nikolaus, G. Vol 7: 48. Distinct status changes of certain Palaearctic migrants in the Sudan. Nikolaus, G. & Hamed, D. M. Vol 8: 36-38. East African Bird Report 199] 199 Further notes on birds new or little known in the Sudan. Nikolaus, G. Vol 8: 38-42. Large numbers of birds killed by electric power line. Nikolaus, G. Vol 8: 42. Notes on some unusual birds of the Bangangai area, S. W. Sudan. Hillman, J.C. & S. M. Vol 10: 29-32. Status of the Crab Plover Dromas ardeola in the Sudan. Nikolaus, G. Vol 12: 87. Shrikes, Laniidae, feeding on Marsh Warblers Acrocephalus palustris during migration. Nikolaus, G. Vol 14: 26-28. Palaearctic migrant birds caught in spiders’ webs. Ash, J. S. Vol 15: 55-56. Some observations on Dunlin Calidris alpina wintering in the Sudan. Nikolaus, G. Vol — 15: 124-127. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis wintering in tropical Africa—the first ringing recovery. Nikolaus, G. Vol 15: 135-136. Zambia, Malawi The effects of latitude and altitude on bird weights. Hanmer, D. B. Vol 2: 35-38. Misidentification of a Marsh Warbler in Malawi. Benson, C. W. Vol 2: 99. The Mountain Buzzard Buteo tachardus in Central Africa. Dowsett, R. J. & Dowsett- Lemaire, F Vol 3: 14-18. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus at Ndola, Zambia. Taylor, P. B. Vol 3: 80. A trapping study of Palaearctic passerines at Nchalo, S. Malawi. Hanmer, D. B. Vol 3: 81-92. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius at Luanshya, Zambia. Taylor, P. B. Vol 4: 69. Common Tern Sterna hirundo at Luanshya, Zambia. Taylor, P. B. Vol 4: 70. Further occurrences of Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus at Ndola, Zambia. Taylor, P. B. Vol 4: 72. Exceptional numbers of Pintail Anas acuta at Luanshya, Zambia 1979/80. Casalis de Pury, R. J. & Taylor, P. B. Vol 4: 90-92. Little Crake Porzana parva at Ndola, Zambia. Taylor, P. B. Vol 4: 93-95. A second Zambian record of the Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius. Tayor, P. B. Vol 5: 57. The food requirements of owls compared with those of diurnal raptors. Hanmer, D. B. Vol 5: 102-105. House Martins Delichon urbica associating with a breeding colony of Red-throated Cliff Swallows Hirundo rufigula in Zambia. Taylor, P. B. Vol 6: 43-45. Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus, Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago and Broad- billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus at Ndola, Zambia. Taylor, P. B. Vol 7: 20-21. Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata in S. W. Tanzania and N. E. Zambia. Taylor, P.B. Vol 7: 94. A field study of the Corncrake Crex crex at Ndola, Zambia. Taylor, P. B. Vol 8: 53-59. Vocal variations in two forest apalises of eastern Africa, Apalis (porphyrolaema) chapini and A. melanocephala. Dowsett-Lemaire, F. Vol 10: 92-98. On the distribution, ecology and voice of two Alethe species in Malawi. Dowsett- Lemaire, F. Vol 11: 25-32. 200 East African Bird Report 1991 On the breeding behaviour of three montane sunbirds Nectarinia spp. in northern Malawi. Dowsett-Lemaire, F. Vol 11: 79-86. Recent counts of Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus on the Kafue Flats, Zambia— November 1987. Howard, G. W. Vol 12: 69-72. First record of the Shoebill Balaeniceps rex in Malawi. Hanmer, D. B. & Rose gees Lady Margaret. Vol 12: 92-93. First record of Rufous Bush Chat Cercotrichas galactotes in Malawi. Hanmer, D. B. Vol 12: 93-94. First record of the Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria in Malawi. Hanmer, D. B. Vol 12: 100. Ecological and biogeographical aspects of forest bird communities in Malawi. Dowsett- Lemaire, F. Vol 13: 1-80. Rwanda, eastern Zaire The occurrence of both Red-throated and White-fronted Bee-eaters in the Virunga Park, eastern Zaire. Carter, C. & Robinson, G. P. Vol 5: 80. Sympatric occurrence of the White-winged Warbler Bradypterus carpalis and Grauer’s Rush Warbler B. graueri in Rwanda. Van de weghe, J-P. Vol 7: 85-88. Further additions to the bird fauna of Rwanda. Van de weghe, J-P. Vol 8: 60-63. Indian Ocean—Comoros, Seychelles Unreported hunting behaviour of the Madagascar Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis vintsioides on Grande Comoro. Louette, M. & Schoeters, A. Vol 7: 21-22. The Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii arideensis on Aride Island Seychelles: notes on the 1984 season. Tyzack, S. M. & Volcere, O. Vol 10: 45-47. Birds on the Comoro Islands, April 1990. Safford, R. J. & Evans, M. I. Vol 15: 93-101. East African Bird Report 1991 201 Index to scientific names Index prepared by Patricia Gwilliams Acacia 1, 9-13, 15, 45, 46, 51, 86-89, 137, 152, 158 Acacia nubica 50 Acacia xanthophloea 47 Acacia—Commiphora 63 Acanthus 39 Accipiter brevipes 156 Accipiter erythropus 163 Accipiter melanoleucus 5, 15, 16, 69, 163 Accipiter minullus 15, 69, 145, 159 Accipiter nisus 156 Accipiter ovampensis 145, 159 Accipiter tachiro 69 Acridotheres tristis 100 Acrocephalus arundinaceus 26, 86, 158, 171-174 Acrocephalus gracilirostris 10, 14, 15, 21 Acrocephalus griseldis 86, 158, 171-173 Acrocephalus palustris 46, 47, 89, 171-174 Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 86, 171, 174 Acrocephalus scirpaceus 55, LAL D7 3 5h,74 Actitis hypoleucos 85, 88-90, 100, 157 Actophilomis africanus 1, 6, 15, 19 Afzelia cuanzensis 57 Agapornis cana 53 Agapornis fischeri 36, 51-53 Agapornis lilianae 36, 50-54 Agapornis personata 36, 51-53 Agapornis pulchella [sic] = pullaria 36 Agapornis pullaria 36, 53 Agapornis pullaria 53, 147, 162, 164 Agapornis pullaria ugandae 53 Agapornis spp. 40, 51, 52 Agapornis swinderniana 53, 164 Alcedo cristata 8, 14 Alcedo leucogaster 25, 264 Alcedo quadribrachys 44, 149, 164 Alcedo semitorquata 69 Alcippe abyssinica 67, 70, 78, 81, 150, 166 Alectoenas sganzini 93, 95 Alethe diademata 166 Alethe fuelleborni 71, 78 Alethe poliocephala 151, 166 Alethe poliophrys 61, 62, 166 Alopochen aegyptiacus 4 Amadina fasciata 13, 15 Amandava subfiava 37 Amblyospiza albifrons 12, 15, 132, 169 Anaplectes melanotis jubaensis 49 Anaplectes melanotis leuconotus 49 Anas acuta 109-119, 156 Anas clypeata 109-119, 156 Anas crecca 109-119, 156 Anas erythrorhynchos 5, 14, 16 Anas penelope 109-119 Anas querquedula 84, 109- 119, 156 Anas sparsa 69 Anas strepera 114 Anas undulata rueppelli 145 Anastomus lamelligerus 4, 144 Andropadus curvirostris 151, 166 Andropadus gracilirostris 166 Andropadus gracilis 166 Andropadus importunus 9, 151, 176 Andropadus lIatirostris 166 Andropadus masukuensis 70 Andropadus milanjensis 70 Andropadus tephrolaemus 67, 70, 166 Andropadus virens 70, 151, 166 Anhinga rufa 121, 122, 143 Anomalospiza imberbis 37, 154 Anous stolidus 147 Anous tenuirostris 147 Anthreptes collaris 11, 72, 169, 176 Anthreptes fraseri 169 Anthreptes neglectus 72, 154, 161 Anthreptes rectirostris 169 Anthreptes rubritorques 72, 161 Anthus caffer 153 Anthus cervinus 87, 88, 92, 159, 171, 174 Anthus lineiventris 161 Anthus melindae 153 Anthus novaeseelandiae 10, 15, PIES) Anthus sokokensis 56, 57, 58, 153 Anthus spp. | Anthus trivialis 27, 171, 173 Apalis alticola 71, 78, 79 Apalis binotata 167 Apalis chapini 71, 78, 79 Apalis chariessa 71, 79, 161 Apalis cinerea 167 Apalis cinerea 167 Apalis flavida 71, 78 Apalis jacksoni 167 Apalis melanocephala 29, 71, 79 Apalis nigriceps 26, 167 Apalis porphyrolaema 167 Apalis pulchra 29, 152 Apalis rufogularis 167 Apalis ruwenzori 167 Apalis spp. 78 Apalis thoracica 67, 71, 78 Apaloderma narina 69, 164 Apaloderma vittatum 54, 55, 69 Aplopelia larvata 41, 69, 164 Apus affinis 7, 176 Apus apus 85, 87, 163 Apus barbatus 94 Apus berliozi 149 Apus caffer 7, 14, 37 Apus horus 25, 36 Aquila clanga 156 Aquila heliaca 156 Aquila nipalensis 35, 84, 87 Aquila pomarina 156 Aquila rapax 5, 15, 35 Aquila wahlbergi 42, 43 Arcanator sp. 73 Ardea cinerea 3, 17, 38, 94, 121, 144 202 Ardea goliath 121 Ardea humbloti 94 Ardea melanocephala 4, 17 Ardeola idae 4, 13, 15, 17, 144, 159 Ardeola ralloides 136 Ardeola rufiventris 144 Arenaria interpres 100, 158 Artomyias fuliginosa 168 Asio capensis 148 Aviceda cuculoides 145, 163 Aythya ferina 109-119 Aythya fuligula 109-119 Aythya nyroca 109-119 Baeopogon indicator 166 Baphia sp. 57 Bathmocercus cerviniventris 167 Bathmocercus winifredae 71, qi! Batis diops 168 Batis minor 10, 14, 22, 153 Batis mixta 71 Batis orientalis 153 Batis soror 10 Bias musicus 72, 162, 168 Bleda eximina 166 Bleda syndactyla 166 Bombax schumannianum 56 Bostrychia hagedash 4, 18 Bradornis pallidus 10 Bradypterus baboecala 10, 14, 15521 Bradypterus barratti 167 Bradypterus carpalis 26, 152 Bradypterus cinnamomeus 167 Bradypterus graueri 26 Bradypterus mariae 71 Bubalornis niger 12, 15, 16 Bubo africanus 36 Bubo africanus cinerascens 36 Bubo capensis 160 Bubulcus ibis 4, 100, 135, 136 Buccanodon duchaillui 165 Buccanodon leucotis 70 Buccanodon olivaceum 70 Bucorvus cafer 38, 149 Bulweria fallax 141, 143 Burhinus capensis 6, 14, 15, 92, 147 Burhinus oedicnemus 158 Burhinus vermiculatus 6, 13 Butastur rufipennis 145 Buteo buteo 84, 87, 88, 90 Buteo oreophilus 69, 82 Buteo tachardus 82, 163 East African Bird Report 1991 Butorides striatus 4, 17, 38, 100 Bycanistes brevis 70 Bycanistes bucinator 70 Bycanistes cylindricus 165 Bycanistes fistulator 165 Bycanistes subcylindricus 60, 165 Calandrella somalica 45 Calandrella somalica megaensis 45, 150 Calidris alba 85, 89, 157 Calidris alpina 124-127 Calidris alpina alpina 124 Calidris ferruginea 85, 89, 124, 157 Calidris minuta 84, 85, 88, 89, O24, 157, Calidris temminckii 85, 157 Camaroptera brachyura 10, 71, 167, 176 Camaroptera chloronota 167 Camaroptera simplex undosa 152 Camaroptera superciliosus 167 Campephaga flava 9, 14, 21, LO sISO S66, 175, 176 Campephaga petiti 166 Campephaga phoenicea 151 Campephaga quiscalina 70, 166 Campethera abingoni 70 Campethera cailliautii 70, 165 Campethera caroli 165 Campethera nivosa 165 Campethera nubica 8, 14, 15, 20 Campethera tullbergi 165 Cananga odorata 100 Caprimulgus clarus 7, 13, 16, 148, 176 Caprimulgus donaldsoni 7, 148, 176 Caprimulgus europaeus 85, 158) 172073 Caprimulgus fossii 7, 14 Caprimulgus fraenatus 148, 176 Caprimulgus inornatus 148, 176 Caprimulgus natalensis 39 Caprimulgus poliocephalus 38, 164 Carica papaya 98 Centropus grillii 7, 14, 15, 148 Centropus monachus 39, 148 Centropus senegalensis 164 Centropus superciliosus 7, 87, 176 Ceratogymna attrata 165 Cercocebus galeritus sanjei 67 Cercococcyx mechowi 25, 164 Cercococcyx montanus 25, 69, 148, 164 Cercococcyx olivinus 25, 164 Cercomela scotocerca 151 Cercotrichas galactotes 86, 88, 91, 171-173 Cercotrichas hartlaubi 151, 166 Cercotrichas leucophrys 10, 15, 21 Cercotrichas quadrivirgata 71, 122, 123 Ceryle rudis 8, 15, 20, 89, 121 Ceuthmochares aereus 7, 13, 19, 69, 148, 164 Charadrius alexandrinus 124, 127 Charadrius dubius 84, 157 Charadrius hiaticula 84, 100, 157 Charadrius leschenaultii 124 Charadrius marginatus 95 Charadrius mongolus 157 Charadrius pallidus 147 Charadrius tricollaris 6, 16 Chelictinia riocourii 145 Chersomanes albofasciata 160 Chlidonias hybridus 162 Chlorocichla flavicollis 38, 151, 166 Chlorocichla flavicollis pallidigula 38 Chlorocichla flaviventris 15, 70; 151, 1G Chlorocichla laetissima 151, 166 Chloropeta gracilirostris 152 Chloropeta similis 167 Chrysococcyx caprius 7, 19, 92, 176 Chrysococcyx cupreus 164 Chrysococcyx flavigularis 25 Chrysococcyx klaas 7, 19, 69, 164 Ciccaba woodfordii 69, 164 Cichladusa arquata 10 Cichladusa guttata 10, 14, 21 Ciconia abdimii 4 Ciconia ciconia 155, 162 Ciconia episcopus 4, 18, 89, 144, 162 Ciconia nigra 155 Cinnyricinclus leucogaster 11, 14, 22, 168 Cinnyricinclus sharpii 27, 168 Circaetus cinerascens 145 Circaetus cinereus 5, 38 Circaetus fasciolatus 69 Circaetus gallicus 5, 14, 18, 39, 156 Circaetus gallicus beaudouini 39 Circaetus gallicus gallicus 84, 88 Circaetus gallicus pectoralis 5, 84, 156 Circus aeruginosus 35, 84, 88, 90, 161 Circus maillardi 94 Circus pygargus 84, 87 Circus ranivorus 145 Cisticola aberrans 152, 161 Cisticola bodessa 152 Cisticola brachyptera 10, 14, 21 Cisticola brunnescens 45 Cisticola chiniana 10, 15, 21, 176 Cisticola chubbi 167 Cisticola fulvicapilla 152 Cisticola galactotes 10, 21, 176 Cisticola juncidis 10, 14, 16, 21 Cisticola lateralis 152 Cisticola nana 48, 49 Cisticola natalensis 10, 14, 21 Cisticola ruficeps 48, 49 Cisticola ruficeps mongalla 48, 49 Cisticola woosnami 152 Clamator jacobinus 7, 19, 39 Clamator levaillantii 148, 160, 164 Clytospiza monteiri 169 Cocos nucifera 1, 100 Colius striatus 8 Columba albinucha 164 Columba arquatrix 69, 147, 164 Columba delegorguei 69 Columba livia 36, 41 Columba malherbii 164 Columba polleni 95 Columba unicincta 164 Commiphora spp. 1, 11, 14 Coracias abyssinica 149 Coracias caudata 8, 9, 84, 171 East African Bird Report 1991 Coracias caudata lorti 149 Coracias garrulus 37, 86, 88, 89, 91, 163, 173 Coracias naevia 37, 160 Coracina caesia 70, 151, 166 Coracina cinerea 96 Coracopsis nigra 96 Coracopsis vasa 100 Corvinella melanoleuca 153 Corvus albus 9, 20, 100 Corvus splendens 9, 17, 29, 84 Corythaeola cristata 164 Corythaixoides leucogaster 7, 14, 15 Corythornis vintsioides 96 Cossypha anomala 71, 75, 78 Cossypha anomala grotei 75 Cossypha caffra 151 Cossypha cyanocampter 166 Cossypha heuglini 10, 151, 167 Cossypha natalensis 71, 123, 151, 167 Cossypha niveicapilla 151, 167 Cossypha roberti 26 Coturnix chinensis 146, 162 Coturnix coturnix 46, 95 Coturnix delegorguei 13, 14, 1829251 752 176 Creatophora cinerea 176 Crex crex 156, 174 Crex egregia 6, 13, 17, 19 Crinifer zonurus 38, 148 Criniger calurus 162, 166 Cryptospiza jacksoni 169 Cryptospiza reichenovii 72, 170 Cryptospiza salvadorii 170 Cryptospiza shelleyi 28, 170 Cuculus canorus 85, 174 Cuculus clamosus 148, 164 Cuculus gularis 85, 148 Cuculus poliocephalus 158, 161, 174 Cuculus solitarius 164 Cussonia spicata 98, 99 Cyandanius madagascarinus 97 Cyathea deckenu 54 Cyathea sp. 75, 77 Cynometra 25, 28, 56 Cyperus 1, 2, 10, 12, 88, 98, 99 Cypsiurus parvus 8, 96 Delichon urbica 32, 38, 158, 163, 171 Dendrocygna viduata 4, 15, 16, 18 203 Dendropicos fuscescens 9, 70 Dendropicos poecilolaemus 162 Dicrurus adsimilis 9, 14, 84, 166 Dicrurus fuscipennis 100 Dicrurus ludwigii 70, 166 Dicrurus waldenii 100 Diomedea cauta 143 Diomedea sp. 143 Dombeya sp. 99 Dromas ardeola 95 Drymocichla incana 162 Dryocichloides archeri 26, 167 Dryocichloides lowei 160 Dryocichloides montanus 160 Dryocichloides poliopterus 151 Dryoscopus angolensis 27, 168 Dryoscopus cubla 11, 22, 72, 176 Dryoscopus gambensis 27, 168 Drypetes reticulata 129 Echidna zebra 94 Egretta alba 4, 18, 94 Egretta ardesiaca 4, 144, 159 Egretta garzetta 4, 144 Egretta garzetta dimorpha 159 Egretta gularis 4, 144 Egretta intermedius 4, 18 Elanus caeruleus 5, 18, 38 Elminia albonotata 72 Emberiza poliopleura 177 Eminia lepida 38, 167 Erannornis albicauda 168 Erannomis longicauda 168 Eremomela badiceps 26, 167 Eremomela pusilla 26, 151 Erica sp. 66 Erythrina sacleuxi 56 Erythrocercus holochlorus 129-132 Erythrocercus livingstonei 72, 130 Erythrocercus mecalli 129, 168 Erythrocercus sp. 130 Estrilda astrild 13, 23, 40 Estrilda melanotis 170 Estrilda nonnula 170 Estrilda paludicola 154 Estrilda rhodopyga 13, 14, 23, 176 Estrilda sp. 38 Estrilda troglodytes 155 Eucalyptus sp. 98 Euplectes axillaris 12, 14, 22, 38 204 East African Bird Report 1991 Euplectes capensis 39 Euplectes diadematus 12 Euplectes gierowii 28 Euplectes hordeaceus 12 Euplectes nigroventris 12, 154 Eupodotis hartlaubii 146 Eurocephalus rueppelli 176 Eurystomus glaucurus 8, 14, 96, 149, 165 Eurystomus gularis 165 Falco alopex 145 Falco amurensis 146 Falco biarmicus 36 Falco chicquera 145 Falco concolor 47, 84, 156 Falco cuvieri 6, 14, 159 Falco eleonorae 47, 95, 156, 174 Falco fasciinucha 146 Falco pelegrinoides 156 Falco peregrinus calidus 156 Falco rupicoloides 146 Falco subbuteo 156 Falco tinnunculus 6, 84 Ficedula (albicollis) semitorquata 27 Ficedula albicollis 159, 163 Ficus 14 Foudia eminentissima 96, 99, 100 Foudia madagascariensis 99, 100 Foudia rubra 100 Foudia spp. 93, 99 Francolinus coqui 45 Francolinus coqui maharao 45 Francolinus lathami 164 Francolinus levaillantii 45, 146 Francolinus levaillantoides 44— 46 Francolinus nahani 164 Francolinus nobilis 164 Francolinus psilolaemus 45 Francolinus sephaena 6, 18 Francolinus shelleyi 44, 45 Francolinus squamatus 67, 164 Fraseria ocreata 27, 168 Fregata ariel 94 Fregata minor 94 Fregata sp. 94, 144 Fregetta grallaria 102 Fregetta sp. 103 Fregetta tropica 102-108, 120 Fulica cristata 146 Gallinago media 16, 85, 157, 174 Gallinula angulata 146 Gallinula chloropus 6, 95 Gelochelidon nilotica 163 Glareola ocularis 7, 13 Glaucidium tephronotum 164 Gorsachius leuconotus 144 Guttera edouardi 69, 164 Guttera pucherani 146 Gymnobucco bonapartei 59- 61, 149, 165 Gymnobucco bonapartei cinereiceps 59 Gypaetus barbatus 145 Gypohierax angolensis 5, 145 Gyps africanus 5, 14 Halcyon albiventris 149 Halcyon badia 25, 165 Halcyon chelicuti 8, 15, 16, 20 Halcyon leucocephala 8, 14, 20, 165, 176 Halcyon malimbicus 165 Halcyon senegaloides 8 Haliaeetus vocifer 5, 42, 121 Heliolais erythroptera 152 Hieraaetus africanus 24 Hieraaetus dubius 163 Hieraaetus pennatus 156 Himantornis haematopus 24 Hippolais icterina 86, 87, 158, 173, 174 Hippolais languida 159,-171, 173 Hippolais olivetorum 86-88, 91, 159, 171-173 Hippolais pallida 86, 88, 91, 171-173, 175 Hirundo abyssinica 9, 14, 15, 20, 58, 176 Hirundo aethiopica 9, 58 Hirundo atrocaerulea 150, 160 Hirundo fuligula 176 Hirundo megaensis 30, 32 Hirundo rustica 86, 88, 89, 91, 161, 173 Hirundo senegalensis 9, 14, 15, 20 Hirundo smithu 9 Humblotia flavirostris 98 Hydrobates pelagicus 103 Hylia prasina 167 Hyliota flavigaster 152, 167 Hypargos niveoguttatus 72, 155, 176 Hyphaene coriacea | Hypochera chalybeata 12, 39 Hypsipetes madagascariensis 96; 97 Hypsipetes olivaceus 97 Hypsipetes parvirostris 96, 97 Hypsipetes spp. 93, 96 Indicator conirostris 165 Indicator exilis 165 Indicator indicator 8, 15, 16 Indicator meliphilus 150 Indicator minor 165 Indicator variegatus 165 Irania gutturalis 128, 158, 171- 173 Ispidina lecontei 25, 165 Ispidina picta 8, 13, 165 Ispidina picta natalensis 13 Ixobrychus m. minutus 155, 7217S Ixobrychus minutus 3, 13, 15, 16, 17 Ixobrychus minutus payesii 144, 159, 162 Ixobrychus sturmii 3, 144 Ixonotus guttatus 166 Juniperus procera 30 Jynx ruficollis 150 Jynx torquilla 127, 158 Kakamega poliothorax 166 Kaupifalco monogrammicus 5, 18, 41, 145 Lagonosticta rara 155 Lagonosticta rhodopareia 13, 2315506 Lagonosticta senegala 13, 23 Lamprotornis chalybaeus 11, 14 Lamprotornis chloropterus 154 Lamprotornis corruscus 11, 14, 22 Lamprotornis purpureiceps 168 Lamprotornis purpureus 15, 41, 62 Lamprotornis splendidus 169 Laniarius ferrugineus 11, 22, 168 Laniarius fuelleborni 72, 168 Laniarius funebris 176 Laniarius leucorhynchus 168 Laniarius luehderi 153, 168 Laniarius mufumbin 27, 153 Lanius cabanisi 11 é Lanius collurio 38, 87-89, 92, 171-174 Lanius collurio x isabellinu 174 Lanius excubitorius 153 Lanius isabellinus 87-89, 92, 171, 173, 174 Lanius mackinnoni 153, 168 Lanius minor 38, 87, 89, 159, 163, 171 Lanius nubicus 159 Lanius senator 159 Lantana 1, 9, 38 Lantana camara 98 Larus argentatus 158 Larus fuscus 163 Larus genei 158 Larus ridibundus 158 Leptoptilos crumeniferus 144 Leptosomus discolor 96 Lepus sp. 46 Limicola falcinellus 157 Limnocorax flavirostra 6, 19 Limosa limosa 157, 161, 162 Linurgus olivaceus 72, 161 Locustella fluviatilis 159, 171- 173 Locustella luscinioides 174 Lonchura bicolor 13, 23 Lonchura bicolor nigriceps 13 Lonchura cucullata 13, 23, 99, 177 Lonchura fringilloides 141, 155 Lonchura oryzivora 161 Lonicera sp. 99 Lophaetus occipitalis 5, 18, 163 Luscinia luscinia 128, 171, 172-174 Luscinia megarhynchos 86, 88, 91, 128, 171-173 Lybius bidentatus 165 Lybius guifsobalito 37, 149 Lybius hirsutus 165 Lybius melanopterus 149 Macheiramphus alcinus 5, 16, 145, 164 Macrodipteryx vexillarius 148 Macronyx aurantiigula 11, 14, 22 Macronyx croceus 11, 39 Macrosphenus concolor 26, 167 Macrosphenus kretschmeri 71, 161 Malaconotus blanchoti 11, 27, 176 Malaconotus bocagei 168 Malaconotus dohertyi 168 Malaconotus lagdeni 27, 28, 168 Malaconotus multicolor 72, 168 Malaconotus sulfureopectus 11, 15, 176 East African Bird Report 1991 Malimbus malimbicus 169 Malimbus rubricollis 169 Mandingoa nitidula 72, 155, 170 Mangifera indica 99 Manilkara sulkata 56 Megabyas flammulata 27, 168 Melaenormis ardesiaca 168 Melaenornis chocolatina 168 Melaenornis edolioides 38 Melierax gabar 5 Melierax poliopterus 5, 15 Memecylon sp. 54 Merops albicollis 8, 20, 165 Merops apiaster 85, 89, 165, 171 Merops bullockoides 137, 149 Merops gularis 165 Merops hirundineus 160 Merops nubicus 8, 13, 20, 85, 137, 149 Merops oreobates 165 Merops orientalis 137 Merops persicus 85 Merops pusillus 37 Merops revoilii 149 Merops superciliosus 8, 13, Mesopicos goertae 165 Mesopicos griseocephalus 70, 165 Mesopicos xantholophus 165 Microparra capensis 41, 146 Micropterus salmoides 121 Millettia 56 Milvus migrans 5, 9, 42, 84, 94 Mirafra hypermetra 9, 14, 15, 48 Mirafra hypermetra kidepoensis 48 Mirafra poecilosterna 9, 14, 15 Mirafra rufocinnamomea 9 Mirafra williamsi 150 Modulatrix orostruthus 70, 73, 78, 160 Modulatrix orostruthus sanjei 74 Modulatrix sp. 65, 73 Modulatrix stictigula 70, 73, 78, 160 Monticola rufocinerea 38, 152 Monticola saxatilis 86, 88, 89, Oo hTael7s Motacilla aguimp 11, 22 Motacilla alba 159 Motacilla cinerea 87, 159, 161, 171 205 Motacilla clara 168 Motacilla flava 87, 88, 89, 92, 171, 174 Musanga sp. 59, 60 Muscicapa adusta 27, 71, 168 Muscicapa caerulescens 71, 168 Muscicapa cassini 27, 168 Muscicapa comitata 168 Muscicapa gambagae 137, 138, 15251175;.176 Muscicapa griseigularis 27, 168 Muscicapa lendu 153 Muscicapa striata 38, 87-89, S291 STAM 2 LIS Musophaga rossae 164 Myctria ibis 4, 18, 144 Myioparus plumbeus 71, 153, 168 Neafrapus boehmi 69, 149 Neafrapus cassini 164 Nectarinia alinae 169 Nectarinia amethystina 11, 176 Nectarinia bifasciata 11, 22, 169 Nectarinia bouveri 39, 154, 169 Nectarinia chloropygia 169 Nectarinia coquereli 98 Nectarinia cuprea 169 Nectarinia cyanolaema 169 Nectarinia famosa 169 Nectarinia humbloti 98 Nectarinia kilimensis 169 Nectarinia mediocris 67 Nectarinia mediocris fuelleborni 77 Nectarinia minulla 28 Nectarinia moreaui 77 Nectarinia moreaui 77 Nectarinia moreaui/mediocris 72, 49 Nectarinia nectarinioides 154 Nectarinia notata 98 Nectarinia olivacea 72, 169 Nectarinia preussi 169 Nectarinia purpureiventris 169 Nectarinia regia 81, 169 Nectarinia reichenowi 169 Nectarinia rubescens 169 Nectarinia rufipennis 72, 77, 81 Nectarinia seimundi 169 Nectarinia senegalensis 11, 22 Nectarinia souimanga 98 Nectarinia sp. 97 Nectarinia superba 154, 169 206 Nectarinia venusta 169 Nectarinia veroxii 11, 14 Nectarinia verticalis 169 Neocossyphus poensis 167 Neocossyphus rufus 167 Neophron monachus 145, 163 Neotis denhami 146 Nesillas brevicaudata 97 Nesillas mariae 97 Nesillas moheliensis 97 Nesillas typica 98 Nesillas typica longicaudata 98 Nesillas typica moheliensis 98 Nesillas typica typica 98 Nesocharis ansorgei 170 Nesocharis capistrata 28, 170 Nesogordonia kabingaensis 61 Netta erythrophthalma 145 Nettapus auritus 1, 5 Nicator chloris 70, 166 Nigrita bicolor 170 Nigrita canicapilla 170 Nigrita fusconota 170 Numenius phaeopus 89, 100 Numida meleagris 6, 15 Nycticorax nycticorax 4, 136, 144, 174 Oceanites oceanicus 103 Oceanodroma leucorhoa 103, 106, 108 Oecophylla sp. 129 Oena capensis 7, 14, 19, 36 Oenanthe deserti 63 Oenanthe isabellina 37, 86, 88, SONOS Saiylteal7 3 Oenanthe oenanthe 10, 37, 86, 88, 89, 91, 138, 171, 173 Oenanthe phillipsi 63, 138 Oenanthe pileata 10, 14, 15 Oenanthe pleschanka 86, 171, N73) Oenanthe spp. 1, 63, 138 Onychognathus fulgidus 28, 169 Onychognathus walleri 72, 169 Oreochromus leucosteus 121 Oriolus auratus 9, 14, 20 Oriolus brachyrhynchus 166 Oriolus chlorocephalus 70, 81 Oriolus larvatus 9, 166 Oriolus oriolus 9, 14, 86, 88, O1, 171, 174 Oriolus percivali 166 Oriolus spp. 9 Orthotomus metopias 67, 71, 77, 81 Ortygospiza atricollis 133 East African Bird Report 1991 Ortygospiza locustella 133, 141 Ortygospiza locustella uelensis 1335155 Ortyxelos meiffreni 146 Otus pauliani 96 Otus scops 174 Oxanthus 56 Oxylophus jacobinus 173 Oxyura maccoa 145 Pachyptila belcheri 102—108, 120 Pachyptila crassirostris 104— 106 Pachyptila desolata 102-108, 120 Pachyptila salvini 104-106 Pachyptila sp. 106-108, 120 Pachyptila turtur 104-106 Pachyptila turtur crassirostris 106 Pachyptila turtur turtur 106 Pachyptila vittata 102-108 Pachyptila vittata desolata 104-106 Pachyptila vittata salvini 106 Pachyptila vittata vittata 106 Pandion haliaetus 84, 156 Panicium 56 Papyrus sp. 143, 152-155 Parisoma lugens 37, 152 Parmoptila woodhousei 28, 170 Parus albiventris 166 Parus fasciiventer 166 Parus funereus 166 Parus leucomelas 166 Passer castanopterus 154 Passer domesticus 99, 100, 161 Passer griseus 12, 23, 176 Pelecanus onocrotalus 3, 121, 143 Pelecanus rufescens 3, 121, 143 Pernis apivorus 156, 161 Petronia pyrgita 12, 14, 15 Phaethon lepturus 94 Phalacrocorax africanus 3, 15, 175/89; 121; 143 Phalacrocorax carbo 121, 143 Phalaropus lobatus 158 Philippia 98, 99 Philomachus pugnax 85, 124, 127s ASTON Phoeniconaias minor 145 Phoenicopterus ruber 145 Phoeniculus bollei 165 Phoeniculus bollei jacksoni 59 Phoeniculus cyanomelas 8, 15 Phoeniculus purpureus 8, 20, 69 Phoenicurus phoenicurus 158, 720073 Phyllanthus atripennis 25 Phyllastrephus albigularis 166 Phyllastrephus baumanni 166 Phyllastrephus cerviniventris 151 Phyllastrephus fischeri 70, 74, 75 Phyllastrephus flavostriatus 71, 75, 166 Phyllastrephus flavostriatus tenuirostris 75 Phyllastrephus flavostriatus uzungwensis 75 Phyllastrephus icterinus 26, 166 Phyllastrephus orostruthus 73, 82 Phyllastrephus strepitans 9, 21, 176 Phyllastrephus xanthophrys 82 Phyllastrephus xavieri 26, 166 Phylloscopus budongoensis 27, 167 Phylloscopus collybita 174 Phylloscopus laetus 167 Phylloscopus ruficapilla 71 Phylloscopus sibilatrix 27, 159, lo7pi7s wins Phylloscopus trochilus 86, 167, LTA Phylloscopus umbrovirens 167 Picoides obsoletus 150 Pitta angolensis 122, 123, 160, 165 Pitta reichenowi 165 Platalea alba 4, 144, 156, 162 Platalea leucorodia 156 Platysteira blissetti 168 Platysteira castanea 168 Platysteira concreta 168 Platysteira cyanea 168 Platysteira peltata 153, 168 Plegadis falcinellus 136, 162 Ploceus alienus 169 Ploceus aurantius 28 Ploceus baglafecht stuhlmanni 169 Ploceus bicolor 72, 169 ~ Ploceus bojeri 12, 63 Ploceus burnieri 161 Ploceus castanops 169 Ploceus cucullatus 12, 176 Ploceus golandi 154 Ploceus insignis 169 Ploceus intermedius 12, 15, 22 Ploceus luteolus kavirondensis 154 Ploceus melanogaster 169 Ploceus nicolli 72, 82 Ploceus nicolli andersoni 161 Ploceus nigerrimus 169 Ploceus ocularis 12, 23, 169 Ploceus pelzelni 169 Ploceus spekei 154 Ploceus subaureus 12, 23, 63, 64, 154 Ploceus superciliosus 162, 169 Ploceus tricolor 169 Ploceus weynsi 28, 169 Pluvialis fulva 157 Pluvialis squatarola 89, 100, 157 Podica senegalensis 146 Podiceps cristatus 143 Podiceps nigricollis 143 Podocarpus 66 Poeoptera kenricki 72 Poeoptera lugubris 28, 59-61, 169 Poeoptera stuhImanni 169 Pogoniulus bilineatus 8, 15, 64, 70, 165 Pogoniulus coryphaeus 165 Pogoniulus leucomystax 70 Pogoniulus pusillus 8, 20 Pogoniulus scolopaceus 162, 165 Pogoniulus simplex 149 Pogoniulus subsulphureus 165 Pogonocichla stellata 71, 78, 167 Poicephalus cryptoxanthus 7, 14, 19 Poicephalus meyeri 147 Poicephalus robustus 69 Polemaetus bellicosus 36 Polihierax semitorquatus 6, 14, 15,92 Polyboroides radiatus 5, 163 Porphyrio alleni 6, 15, 16, 19, 146, 160 Porphyrio porphryio 6, 13, 146 Porphyrio spp. 1 Porzana marginalis 160 Porzana porzana 157, 174 Prinia bairdii 167 Prinia leucopogon 152, 167 Prinia subflava 10, 167, 176 Prionops poliolopha 154 East African Bird Report 1991 Prionops retzii 15, 72 Prionops scopifrons 72, 141 Prionops scopifrons keniensis 154 Prodotiscus insignis 165 Prodotiscus regulus 150, 160 Prodotiscus zambesiae 70 Psalidoprocne albiceps 36, 165 Psalidoprocne pristoptera 166 Pseudocalyptomena graueri 25 Psittacus erithacus 141, 148, 164 Pterocles quadricinctus 147 Ptilopachus petrosus 146 Ptilostomus afer 150, 162 Puffinus lherminieri 94, 143 Puffinus pacificus 143 Pycnonotus barbatus 9, 166, 176 Pyrenestes minor 72 Pyrenestes ostrinus 133, 134, 141, 155, 170 Pytilia afra 135 Pytilia melba 135, 176 Quelea erythrops 12, 14 Quelea quelea 12, 23, 154 Rallus caerulescens 6, 14 Recurvirostra avosetta 92 Rhaphidura sabini 162, 164 Rhinoptilus cinctus 6, 14, 15 Riparia cincta 58 Riparia paludicola 58 Riparia riparia 58, 86, 161, 171, 174 Rostratula benghalensis 6, 16, 147, 160 Rubus rosifolius 97 Rynchops flavirostris 147 Sagittarius serpentarius 46, 47 Salacia 56 Sarothrura boehmi 163 Sarothrura elegans 160, 164 Sarothrura pulchra 162, 164 Sarothrura rufa 25, 146 Saxicola rubetra 38, 158, 171, 174 Saxicola torquata 100 Schoenicola platyura 39, 152 Schoutedenapus myoptilus 149, 164 Scopus umbretta 4, 14 Scorodophloeus fischeri 56 Scotopelia peli 25, 148 Serinus atrogularis 13, 23, 177 Serinus atrogularis somereni 141, 155 207 Serinus burtoni 72, 170 Serinus burtoni melanochrous 78 Serinus canicollis 170 Serinus donaldsoni 155 Serinus dorsostriatus 48 Serinus koliensis 155, 162 Serinus mozambicus 13, 23 Serinus reichardi 155 Sheppardia aequatorialis 61, 62, 167 Sheppardia cyornithopsis 167 Sheppardia gunningi 152, 160 Sheppardia lowei 67, 71, 75, 76, 78, 81 Sheppardia sharpei 71, 75, 76, 78 Smithornis capensis 70, 160, 165 Smithornis rufolateralis 165 Speculipastor bicolor 11 Spermophaga poligenys 28 Spermophaga ruficapilla 134, 1553. 170 Spermophaga ruficapilla cana 155 Spiloptila rufifrons 48 Spreo shelleyi 154 Spreo superbus 176 Stephanoaetus coronatus 69, 163 Stercorarius pomarinus 158 Sterna anaethetus 147 Sterna bengalensis 95 Sterna dougalli 147 Sterna fuscata 94, 95 Sterna sandvicensis 158 Stiphrornis erythrothorax 167 Stizorhina fraseri 167 Streptopelia capicola 7, 95, 164 Streptopelia picturata 95 Streptopelia semitorquata 7, 19, 164 Streptopelia senegalensis 7, 14, 19, 176 Streptopelia turtur 158 Sula sula 107, 108 Swynnertonia swynnertoni 71, 76, 78, 160 Swynnertonia swynnertoni rodgersi 76 Sylvia atricapilla 87, 167, 171, 173 Sylvia borin 171, 173 Sylvia communis 37, 87, 171- L735 475 208 Sylvia curruca 55 Sylvia nisoria 159, 171, 173 Sylvietta brachyura 10, 15 Sylvietta isabellina 152 Sylvietta leucophrys 167 Sylvietta spp. 15 Sylvietta virens 168 Sylvietta whytii 10, 14, 15, 21 Sylvietta whytii minima 15 Synagris sp. 129 Syzygium jambos 97 Tachybaptus ruficollis 3, 14, 17, 92, 94, 143 Tauraco fischeri zanzibaricus 160 Tauraco johnstoni 164 Tauraco leucolophus 164 Tauraco livingstonii 69 Tauraco porphyreolophus 148 Tauraco ruspolii 30, 31, 34 Tauraco schuetti 164 Tchagra australis 11, 176 Tchagra minuta 153 Tchagra senegala 11 Telecanthura ussheri 69, 164 Terathopius ecaudatus 42 Terpsiphone mutata 93, 96, 98 Terpsiphone rufiventer 168 Terpsiphone sp. 97 Terpsiphone viridis 10, 15, 72, 168, 176 Thalassornis leuconotus 145 Thallomys paedulcus 47 Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris 162 Threskiornis aethiopica 4, 18 Thripias namaquus 165 Tilapia zillii 121 Tmetothylacus tenellus 11, 14, 153 Tockus alboterminatus 70, 165 Tockus camurus 25, 165 Tockus deckeni 8, 14 Tockus erythrorhynchus 8, 14 Tockus fasciatus 165 Tockus hartlaubi 25 Tockus spp. 15 Trachylaemus purpuratus 149, 165 Trachyphonus darnaudii 176 Treron australis 7, 14, 147, 164 Trichastoma albipectus 166 Trichastoma fulvescens 166 Trichastoma pyrrhopterum 166 Trichastoma rufipennis 70, 74, 78, 166 East African Bird Report 1991 Trichastoma rufipennis distans 74 Tringa erythropus 157, 161, 162 Tringa glareola 85, 88, 90 Tringa nebularia 85, 88, 89, 90 Tringa ochropus 85, 87, 89, 90 Tringa stagnatilis 85, 89, 161 Tringa totanus 157 Trochocercus albonotatus 168 Trochocercus cyanomelas 72; 153, 168 Trochocercus nigromitratus 168 Trochocercus nitens 168 Tropicranus albocristaus 25 Turdoides hindei 150 Turdoides melanops 150 Turdoides plebejus 150 Turdoides rubiginosus 9, 13, 20 Turdoides squamulatus 9, 13, Zi Turdus bewsheri 97 Turdus camaronensis 167 Turdus fischeri 122, 123 Turdus gumeyi 71, 78, 122, 123 Turdus litsipsirupa 161 Turdus olivaceus 71, 78 Turdus pelios 152, 167 Turdus piaggiae 167 Turdus tephronotus 10, 14, 152 Turnix sylvatica 6, 13, 146, 176 Turtur afer 147, 164 Turtur chalcospilos 7, 176 Turtur tympanistria 69, 95, 164 Typha 1, 2, 10, 12, 86-89 Tyto alba 96 Tyto capensis 160 Uraeginthus bengalus: 13, 176 Uraeginthus ianthinogaster 48, 176 Urocolius macrourus 8, 15 Usnea sp. 99 Uvaria 56 Vanellus lugubris 6, 13, 19 Vanellus senegallus 36 Vanellus spinosus 6, 16, 92 Vidua macroura 12, 23, 40 Zavattariomis stresemanni 30, 32533 Zoonavena grandidieri 96 Zoothera (Turdus) kibalensis 26 Zoothera (Turdus) tanganjicae Zosterops abyssinicus 176 Zosterops maderaspatanus 96, 99 Zosterops mouroniensis 98, 99 Zosterops senegalensis 67, 72, 169 Zosterops sp. 93, 99 Notes for Contributors, Cont. [note the order, no comma, not ‘23rd’]; names of birds: Cape Rook Corvus capensis [no comma, no parentheses, no authors name]; list of references at the end of a paper or short communication: authors' family names followed by a comma, then initials, each followed by a full point (= full stop, period); names of journals: to be given in full; books: after author(s), year of publication and title give the town followed by the publisher. Two copies of contributions, which will be acknowledged, should be typed in double spacing on one side of the paper only, with wide margins all round. Clear hand-written MSS will also be considered. Both English and scientific names of birds should be given when the species Is first mentioned, thereafter only one name should ‘be used. The names should be those of a stated work and any deviations from this work should be noted and reasons given. Metric units should be used. Contributions on floppy disk are welcomed, but please still send two hard (= paper) copies. When you send your contribution on disk, please do not type anything in ALL CAPS unless the combination always occurs in that form (e.g., ‘USA’). Original black and white photographs and line illustrations should not be larger than A4 (210 x 297 mm). Line illustrations should be on good quality white paper or board, or on tracing material; lettering should be of professional quality or marked lightly in pencil. Authors of ‘papers’ receive three copies of their contribution free of charge. Extra copies, which will be charged at cost, must be ordered when the MS is accepted. All contributions should be sent to the Editor, G. C. Backhurst, Box 15194, Nairobi, Kenya. East African Bird Report This normally forms the third issue of Scopus each year. Records from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are welcomed. Please send them as soon as you can to D. A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi. Records of rare birds are assessed by the internationally-based East African Rarities Committee. If you see a rare bird, it may help to telephone one of the OSC members so that someone else can see the bird. Ringing scheme of eastern Africa This covers several countries in the area. Qualified and aspiring ringers should contact the ringing organizer, Box 15194, Nairobi for more information. E.A.N.H.S. Nest Record Scheme Details of most kinds of breeding activity are required by the scheme. Nest record cards may be obtained free of charge from the organizer, Dr Leon A. Bennun, Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Box 40658, Nairobi. ICAMREF 20 Scopus 15 (3), July 1993 Contents D. A. Turner. East African Bird! Report 1991 20. ..0.c.22..cc..c.0-c2ncessesos oe 141 SPECIES FEPOM 0.06. scsbad sessedt spore scsbadeslves. elk detente ee 142 Kenya: Airotropical and Oceamic Species 2.22128. ..-22. 0.0.00 143 Kenya: Palaearctic. species «..0..2:../.c4.-ssecteoeossceoenceeescsteeee nee 15S Tanzania: Afrotropical records -..........-00.---c-1--00.e0+-00e000s oscceeets cee eee eee 159 Tanzania? Palaearctic records 21...2...25.c.sge-ceess.deenssdees-ctibeeeedess soe 161 WeandarAtiotropicallnecOnds) 1c. eee ee eee a patescieacinn «eRe Renee nee 162 Uganda: Palaearctic récords .....sccescs.seccedoecss3:-needeneenssteas70he0 ae seeee teens eee 162 Kenya: Afrotropical back record ..............-:s..cses20¢s2s000+se0++ealeaeeee deine atone eee 163 I. S. FRANCIS AND NICOLA PENFoRD. Ornithological survey of ten Uganda Forest Reserves 18 April—29 November 1991 .......22.2.2 ee 163 LASE Of ODSELVETS 5... sie-ctsgseoneseadeceeeoeeseesntmnencncneocoseeesosdeeUadeeneseere er 170 First and last dates of some Palaearctic migrants in Kenya................cccccsssssscceeeeenrcees 7B G. C. BACKHURST AND D. J. PEARSON. Ringing and migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, autumn 1991 occ.cch.ccc.ssscdeccteneseocnesesoceeveneennsendsuecte ete 172 A bibliography of the first fifteen volumes of Scopus Vol 1 (1) 1977 — Vol 15 (3) 1993 ....178 IndexctorscrentificnaineS coos ee eee sesacencceaudls souleetetoee ee 201 Published by the Ornithological Sub-committee of the E.A.N.H.S. and Printed in Kenya by AMkEF, Wilson Airport, Box 30/25, Nairobi a 32 ISSN 0250-4162 \SSFL D'EPS SCOPU A publication of the Ornithological Sub-Committee of the East Africa Natural History Society Edited by Graeme Backhurst Volume 16, No. 1, July 1992 SCOPUS Cover iliustration from a gouache painting by Dr P.A. Clancey Scopus is normally published three times a year (although issues may be combined) by the Ornithological Sub-Committee of the East Africa Natural History Society. Subscriptions are payable to the OSC Hon Treasurer (and Secretary) D.A. Turner [tel. Nairobi 48133], Scopus a/c, Box 48019, Nairobi, Kenya, at the following rates: Kenya residents: Ksh 150.00 (Ksh 160.00 up-country cheques) All others, air mail: Stg £10.00, US $16.00, DM30,00 or equivalent in convertible currency Bank Drafts in Kenya currency cannot be accepted This is because our bank charges almost as much as the value of the draft to process it. The rates for ‘All others’ apply to subscribers in all countries other than Kenya. Those wishing to remit by bank transfer should do so to Barclays Bank of Kenya Ltd., Market Branch, Box 30018, Nairobi for credit of D.A. Turner, Scopus a/c No. 2852601. Other members of the Ornithological Sub-Committee: G. C. Backhurst (Chairman, Editor of Scopus, and Ringing Organizer), Box 24702, Nairobi; house tel. Nairobi 891 419, office tel. Nairobi 501 301. N. E. Baker, Dar es Salaam; Dr L. A. Bennun, Nairobi; Dr M. J. Carswell, England; M. A. C. Coverdale, Nakuru; J. H. Fanshawe, Watamu and England; Mrs C. Gichuki, Nairobi; N. Gichuki, Nairobi; Dr K. M. Howell, Dar es Salaam; Dr W. Karanja, Nairobi; Dr A. D. Lewis, England; B. S. Meadows, Saudi Arabia; J. E. Miskell, Kampala; D. C. Moyer, USA and Mbeya; Dr D. J. Pearson, England; Prof D. E. Pomeroy, Kampala; J. F. Reynolds, England; D. K. Richards, Nairobi; T. Stevenson, Baringo. Co-opted members: Dr H. A. Isack, Nairobi; Mrs S. Kamau, Nairobi. Notes for Contributors Scopus welcomes original contributions on all aspects of the ornithology of eastern Africa—the area from the Sudan south to Mozambique. Contributions will be assessed by independent referees. The material published is divided into ‘papers’, ‘short communications’, letters, and communications. Short communications will usually be less than two pages in length. Authors are asked to follow the conventions used in Scopus and to refer to a recent issue for guidance. A few examples of conventions are: dates: 23 September 1991 [note the order, no comma, not ‘23rd’]; names of birds: Cape Rook Corvus capensis Continued inside back cover Scopus 16: 1-8, July 1992 1 Predation and harassment of native bird species by the Indian House Crow Corvus splendens, in Mombasa, Kenya Colin Ryall The Indian House Crow Corvus splendens splendens probably spread to Mombasa from the long established population in Zanzibar, and was first reported in 1947 (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1960). Concomitant with its rapid population growth has been a disappearance of most native avifauna from the crow’s range, in marked contrast to towns where they are absent which support varied bird-life. Although they feed primarily on human refuse, stolen scraps and road kills, like other corvids, they employ a variety of feeding strategies to supplement this diet, including nest-raiding of small passerines (Ali & Ripley 1972). This paper contains results of a 13-month study on nest-raiding by House Crows of colonies of ploceid weavers near Mombasa, and describes their adverse effects on other species in Mombasa. A study of predation on colonial ploceids Methods The study was carried out at the Nguuni property, about 8 km NW of Mombasa Island (03°59S, 39°42E). It has an area of 120 ha, an elevation of 30-50 m above sea level and is a region of low hills covered in rough grassland with patches of Acacia. There are a number of dammed ponds fringed with Typha and Cyperus, and a sparse scattering of doum palms Hyphaene coriacea in the valleys. A small sheep farm is situated centrally and the area is grazed. The study area was visited 50 times between October 1986 and October 1987, mostly between 16:30 and 18:30 hours, with only a few between 06:00 and 08:00 hours. Visits were made a minimum of two and a maximum six times per month. A standard route was followed over about two hours, when the number of House Crows, the incidence of weaver breeding and interactions between crows and weavers were noted. Monthly rainfall figures were obtained from R. Haller, Bamburi Portland Cement. The study period followed a prolonged spell of drought so that all ponds were dry or, nearly so, by February 1987, but in late April and May, and also in July, heavy rain filled all ponds. The number of House Crows counted in the study area between October 1986 and April 1987, where no ploceid breeding took place, and between May and October 1987, when ploceids were breeding, were compared statistically using the z-test for comparison of means. Results Several mixed colonies of Golden Palm Weavers Ploceus bojeri, Grosbeak Weavers Amblyospiza albifrons, Zanzibar Red Bishops Euplectes nigroventris, with small numbers of Masked Weavers P. intermedius and Golden Weavers P. subaureus, in the study area, were subjected to nest-raiding by small parties of five to ten House Crows, which flew at least 6 km from their roosts on or near Mombasa Island. Usually, a crow alighted on a nest or adjacent clump of reeds and, whilst fluttering and hovering, tore a 2 Colin Ryall hole and extracted the chicks which were swallowed whole. There was an apparent preference for nests containing chicks rather than eggs. Sometimes the entire nest was carried in the claws to a nearby branch, before the contents were extracted. Raids were invariably carried out in silence—striking in this normally vocal species. House Crows also attacked the colonies of Black-headed Weavers in water-side Acacias and doum palms. Typically, a crow would perch above the hanging nest and, pulling it up using feet and bill, devour the contents. Corvus splendens Amblyospiza albifrons Ploceus bojeri Ploceus cucullatus —— number of Corvus splendens_ breeding periods monthly rainfall (mm) OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT Figure 1. The number of Corvus splendens recorded on 50 visits to Nguuni from October 1986 to October 1987, with their period of breeding in Mombasa, and those of three prey species at Nguuni; monthly rainfall is also given Figure 1 shows the number of House Crows recorded in the study area on 50 visits between October 1986 and October 1987, as well as periods of breeding of Black- headed, Golden Palm and Grosbeak Weavers. The breeding season of House Crows and mean monthly rainfall are also included. The period was not typical since drying up of ponds and failure of the short rains inhibited weaver breeding during October— November 1986, and until the onset of heavy rains in late April 1987, when all ponds filled. There was a one month interval in the breeding of the ploceids, but after further heavy rain in mid July, they and Grosbeak Weavers, recently returned to the area after the drought period, began nest-building again. The mean number of House Crows recorded in the study area on 27 occasions between May 1987 and October 1987 (x = 32.3), during ploceid breeding, was highly significantly greater than that on 23 occasions between October 1986 and April 1987 (x = 17.6), when no ploceids were breeding (z = 4.11, p<0.01). More than 50 birds were recorded on four separate occasions, during the ploceid breeding period. Frequent incidents of nest-raiding occurred during this time, being observed directly or evident from the torn-up and scattered nests. Some crows Predation and harassment by Indian House Crows 3 congregated at the sheep station where, during July lambing, they fed on afterbirth, stillborn lambs, and even attacked live lambs, if left unattended; some followed grazing sheep where they captured frogs and grasshoppers; others stationed themselves by breeding weaver colonies and periodically launched raids. The low number of crows recorded on occasions in Aug 1987 coincided with very high winds, which probably kept them near their roosts. A mixed colony of about 30 Black-headed and Golden Palm Weavers nests in a small Acacia clump was repeatedly raided. It was well established, having been active in 1981 (P. B. Taylor, pers. comm.), 1984 and 1985 (pers. obs.), but became deserted during the May-July 1987 breeding period leaving only destroyed nests, typical of taids by House Crows. A large colony of Black-headed Weavers, of about 65 nests in a pond-side doum palm, had not apparently suffered permanent damage despite regular attacks. House Crow predation elsewhere in the Mombasa area. Large, noisy colonies of Black-headed and Golden Palm Weavers in coconut palms were once commonplace on Mombasa Island and the nearby mainland but, since the proliferation of the House Crow, have disappeared and are now only to be found several kilometres from Mombasa Town at the edge of the crows’ range. The crows have raided a weaver colony at Utange, 10 km N of Mombasa, with increasing frequency over the past two or three years with its consequent shrinkage. Solitary House crows also climb silently in undergrowth, in the manner of a coucal Centropus sp., in search of nests of passerines such as Red-cheeked Cordonbleus Uraeginthus bengalus, Bronze Mannikins Lonchura cucullatus, Speckled Mousebirds Colius striatus and sunbirds Nectariniidae. A once extensive colony of Grey Herons Ardea cinerea in large baobab trees on Mombasa Island and one of Black-headed Herons A. melanocephala at Bamburi, 9 km N of Mombasa, are constantly attacked by the crows. Interestingly, the Feral Pigeon Columba livia and House Sparrow Passer domesticus, also aliens, are numerous and increasing on Mombasa Island despite predation by House Crows, when fledglings are killed and devoured. Only Common Bulbuls Pycnonotus barbatus and Drongos Dicrurus adsimilis still exist throughout the crows’ range. Adults of some small birds have also been observed as prey, including Golden Palm Weavers and Speckled Mousebirds. Table 1. List of birds which have been observed to be preyed upon by Corvus splendens in the Mombasa area Species stage taken egg/young adult Grey Heron Ardea cinerea - Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala Feral Pigeon* Columba livia Yellow-collared Lovebird* Agapornis personata Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus Scarlet-chested Sunbird Nectarinia senegalensis Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons ++ +++ +4 + 4 Colin Ryall Species Stage taken egg/young adult Zanzibar Red Bishop Euplectes nigroventris. + Golden Palm Weaver Ploceus bojeri + + Black-headed Weaver Ploceus cucullatus + House Sparrow* Passer domesticus + Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus + + Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullatus + + * = introduced species Note: observers included R. Haller, K. Martin, R. McVicker, M. O’Meara, M. Reid and C. Ryall Table 1 lists 13 native species which have been observed as prey of House Crows. Many of these and other species have disappeared, or nearly so, where the crows are numerous. The Spotted Morning Thrush Cichladusa guttata and Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla have declined dramatically, although no specific instances of predation have been reported, and the decline of the Palm Swift Cypsiurus parva from an area south of Mombasa has been attributed to this cause (Irvine & Irvine 1986). Harassment by House Crows Persistent harassment and mobbing by House Crows has resulted in the displacement of many larger species of bird and Table 2 lists 22 native species which have been observed as victims. Typically, mobbing crows swoop repeatedly on to the victim, inflicting repeated pecks to head and back, whilst constantly uttering aggressive calls that serve to recruit assistance from all directions. This is distinct from predatory behaviour, which is carried out in silence. Almost any larger species may be so attacked. In the case of raptors, attacks cease if the bird lands, and the crows gather in large numbers on nearby perches to renew their attacks when the raptor takes off again. Such incidents are commonplace in Mombasa. Table 2. List of bird species which have been observed as being subject to harassment by Corvus splendens in the Mombasa area Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Hadada Bostrychia hagedash Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Black-breasted Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Black Kite Milvus migrans Predation and harassment by Indian House Crows 5 Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Little Stint Calidris minuta Sooty Gull Larus hemprichii Black and White Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Mangrove Kingfisher Halcyon senegaloides Eurasian Bee-eater Merops apiaster Lilac-Breasted Roller Coracias caudata Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Pied Crow Corvus albus Note: observers included R. Haller, R. McVicker, A. McDonald, M. Reid, P. B. & C.A. Taylor and C. Ryall. Pied Crows Corvus albus once roosted in large trees at Mombasa station, but were progressively displaced by the more aggressive House Crow and have been absent since the mid-1960s (R. McVicker, pers. comm.). Prior to the proliferation of the House Crow, Pied Crows and Black Kites Milvus migrans were common scavengers through- out Mombasa Island, as they are still in Nairobi and all other towns in the region, but are now few and even those that still occur are invariably mobbed. African Fish Eagles Haliaeetus vocifer and Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi formerly bred in the area, but are now chased away whenever they appear. Great Sparrowhawks Accipiter melanoleucus and Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus, however, invoke a very different response in House Crows, which scatter and dive for cover amongst foliage. Both these raptors have been observed to prey on House Crows in Mombasa (pers. obs.). Even migratory species, such as Golden Orioles Oriolus oriolus and Palaearctic waders are attacked. In such an incident, a single crow launched repeated swoops on eight Eurasian Bee-eaters Merops apiaster, perched in a large tree at Bamburi Beach. Its loud calls recruited a further 12 crows, after which the victims were driven off and pursued noisily (pers. obs.). P. B. Taylor (pers. comm.) witnessed mobbing of a single Black and White Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus by eight House Crows flying about 100 m offshore, at Malindi in 1984. The cuckoo was forced into the water where attacks were continued by hovering crows until it was rescued. Pied Kingfishers Ceryle rudis carrying fish, Sooty Gulls Larus hemprichii carrying food scraps and Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis with grasshoppers or frogs are frequently attacked by House Crows and the morsel snatched. Non-avian species such as fruit bats, monkeys, monitor lizards, domestic pets and man himself are also harassed, on occasion. Discussion The eggs, chicks and even adults of small passerines form part of the diet of most corvids, and the House Crow is no exception (Ali & Ripley 1972). However, this species is exceptional among corvids in achieving very high urban population densities through a close commensal relationship with man. The absence of native avifauna is a 6 Colin Ryall striking feature of any town where House Crows are well established and must in large part be due to intensive predation and harassment. The native Pied Crow is also a nest- raider, but though widespread and plentiful throughout Africa, does not appear to cause significant reduction in small passerines. Clarkson & Birkhead (1987) attributed the rapid growth of urban populations of the Magpie Pica pica in the north of England as causing a decline in songbird populations. This effect is graphically illustrated by the disappearance of colonies of Black- headed and Golden Palm Weavers from Mombasa Island and the contiguous mainland. Even breeding sites near the edge of the crows’ range are subject to nest-raiding as they will fly 15 km or more on foraging expeditions. The range of the House Crow is expanding rapidly and so, even these colonies are bound to be doomed in time. A similar scenario is evolving in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (N. E. Baker, pers. comm.). The marked increase in House Crows visiting the Nguuni study area, coinciding with weaver breeding, probably reflects a general increase in food availability following onset of the rains, e.g. insects, frogs and nests of breeding passerines. Desertion of a small but well established ploceid colony was attributable to raiding by House Crows. It seems that larger colonies are rather more resilient. They are well known as nest-raiders of a wide range of species in their native India and, there too, weaver species are common victims. Ali (1956) recounted how chicks were systematically cropped from a colony of Baya Weavers Ploceus philipinus in recurrent raids with the crows employing similar methods to extract the nestlings as those observed in Mombasa. Krishna Raju (1971) made similar observations involving these species in India. As in the present study, the Indian workers noted a preference on the part of the crows for nestlings rather than eggs, and N.E. Baker (pers. comm.) recounted that, in Dar es Salaam, House Crows watched nests of Common Bulbuls and Grey-headed Sparrows Passer griseus until the young had hatched before raiding them. It is probable that the habit of breeding in noisy colonies makes many ploceid species particularly prone to nest-raiding as it attracts crows and gives good reward in terms of the number of chicks that can be taken within a short period. The progressive shrinkage of weaver colonies and their final extinction, which has been witnessed repeatedly in Mombasa, may be caused by desertion of breeding birds due to recurrent raids, rather than to a lack of recruitment through chick losses. Many native solitary breeders have also disappeared, though raiding is less easily observed in such species. Although fledglings of the Feral Pigeon and House Sparrow are frequently taken by House Crows in India (Lamba 1976), Malaysia (D. R. Wells, pers. comm.) and Mombasa, they are nevertheless able to reach high populations within the crow’s range. In Aden, Ash (1984) noted the killing and eating of fledglings of the Feral Pigeon by House Crows but felt that the hole-nesting habit of the House Sparrow rendered it immune. The displacement of the Pied Crow in urban areas of Mombasa and Malindi has been paralleled in Zanzibar (Pakenham 1979), whilst in Suez the Hooded Crow Corvus corone sardonius has met a similar fate at the hands of the alien House Crow (Bjilsma & Meininger 1984). Black Kites, formerly a common urban scavenger, are now rarely seen over Mombasa Island, and the species is also disappearing from Dar es Salaam (N.E. Baker, pers. comm.) and Aden (M. C. Jennings, pers. comm.). Ash (1984) reported that this species now enters urban areas of Aden rarely, due to harassment by House Crows. Virtually all raptors are attacked. In the present study nine such species were observed as victims, while Bjilsma & Meininger (1984) reported five species of Predation and harassment by Indian House Crows dd Palaearctic raptor as being hounded by House Crows over Suez, during their migra- tions. Great Sparrowhawks and Peregrine Falcons, which prey on House Crows, seem to be immune. Some attacks are prompted by kleptoparasitism, as in Pied Kingfishers, Sooty Gulls and Cattle Egrets, when crows snatched food items that they were carrying. Assaults on Little Egrets Egretta garzetta, Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus and terns Sterna spp. along the intertidal zone in Dar es Salaam (N.E. Baker, pers. comm.) may be analogous. However, harrying of waders, both there and in Mombasa, and of ducks and herons in Zanzibar (Alexander 1985) may represent a form of play. The decline in native avifauna in coastal Kenya, is mirrored in other areas where - House Crows have been introduced, e.g. Zanzibar (Alexander 1985), Dar es Salaam (N. E. Baker, pers. comm.) and Malaysia (D. R. Wells, pers. comm.) The severity of their effect can be correlated with their population size and the length of time since their establishment. Alexander pointed out that the virtual absence of passerines in much of Zanzibar, as compared with Dar es Salaam, probably reflects that House Crows have been present in Zanzibar for a much longer period. Certainly they are at present far more numerous there than in Dar es Salaam. Being closely commensal with man, the adverse effects of the House Crow go hand in hand with the rapid urbanization and explosive human population growth taking place in much of its introduced range, and this assists their spread in Kenya and Tanzania (Ryall, in press). Although urbanization has in itself adverse effects, attacks by House Crows appears to be a major factor in the disappearance of the avifauna because other towns and cities in the region where they are absent support a large and diverse avian community, particularly in parks and gardens—Nairobi, for an example. Furthermore, frequent human disturbance of nesting birds has been shown to facilitate nest-raiding, when the incubating adults temporarily desert the nest, thus enabling the crows to take the young (Picozzi 1975). The House Crow is widely recognized as a pest—as a destroyer of wildlife, crop- raider, public health risk, and nuisance. The limited action being taken to control them in various countries must be extended to reverse their spread. Otherwise the species may eventually spread over most of subsaharan Africa, with devastating effects on the endemic avifauna and also at great economic cost to man. Acknowledgements I would like to thank M. C. Jennings, R. McVicker, D. R. Wells, N. E. Baker, and P. B. Taylor for the provision of their invaluable observations, and R. Haller, who supplied rainfall figures and access to the study area. References ALEXANDER, F. 1985. On a recent to Zanzibar Island, 24 July. Avifauna Newsletter, Nairobi Museum, May-June p. 22. Aut, S. 1956. Crows and weaver birds—ratiocination or what? Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 53: 470-472. Aut, S. & Rptey, S. D. 1972. Handbook of Birds of India and Pakistan. Vol. 5. Bombay: Oxford University Press. AsH, J.S. 1984. U.N.E.P. Report No: NEP/84/0189. 8 Colin Ryall BuILSMA, R. B. & MEININGER, P. L. 1984. Behaviour of the House Crow Corvus splendens and additional notes on its distribution. Gerfaut 74: 3-13. CLARKSON, K. & BIRKHEAD, T. 1987. Magpies ir in Sheffield—a recipe for success. BTO News 151: 8-9. DHARMAKUMARSINHII, K. S. 1940. Jungle and House Crows as destroyers of game. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 42: 185-186. IRVINE, G. & IRVINE, D. 1988. Down at Diani—October 1987. EANHS Bulletin 18: 10. KRISHNA Raju, K. S. R. 1971. House Crow Corvus splendens and Baya’s Ploceus philipinus nest. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 68: 453-454. LAMBA, B. S. 1976. The Indian crows—A contribution to their breeding ecology, with notes on brood parasitism on them by the Indian Koel. Rec. Zoological Survey of India 71: 183-300. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C. W. & GRANT, C. H. B. 1960. African Handbook of Birds Ser. 1, Vol. 2: Birds of Eastern and North Eastern Africa. 2nd Ed. London: Longmans Green & Co. PAKENHAM, R. H. W. 1979. The birds of Zanzibar and Pemba. BOU Check- list No. 2. London: British Ornithologists’ Union. Picozzi, N. 1975. Crow predation on marked nests. Journal of Wild-life Management 39: 151— ISS. Rep, G. 1881. The birds of Lucknow Civil Division. Stray Feathers. 10: 1-88. RYALL, C. in press. The pest status of the Indian House Crow Corvus splendens in Mombasa and a survey of its expansion of range in coastal Kenya. Proceedings of the VIIth Pan- African Ornithological Congress 1988. RYALL, C. & Rep, C. 1987. The Indian House Crow in Mombasa. Swara. 10 ¢1): 9-12. Dr Colin Ryall, SET, Farnborough College, Boundary Road, Farnborough, Hants GU 14 6SB, England Scopus 16: 1-8, July 1992 Received 1 February 1991 Levaillant’s birds 9 African birds in the Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux d’Afrique (1796-1813) by Francois Levaillant L. C. Rookmaaker The name of Francois Levaillant (1753-1828) is most often recalled in connection with his ornithological studies during his two expeditions in the South African interior in 1780-1784. He published popular accounts about the events of these journeys in 1790 and 1795. Levaillant’s life-long love was the study of birds and he did not limit his research to the specimens with which he returned from his travels. Between 1796 and 1818 he wrote five multi-volume works dealing with birds constituting various taxonomic or geographic units. The African birds were described in his Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux d’ Afrique (Natural History of African birds), which appeared between 1796 and 1813 in 51 instalments divided into six volumes. The complicated bibliography of the various editions and translations was recently discussed in detail by Rookmaaker (1989). Levaillant’s book on African birds is very difficult to use for several reasons. First, he uses the French language throughout and identifies the species by French names only. This was not an ‘omission’, but a reasoned decision based on the supposed inadequacy of the names and diagnoses in the style of Linnaeus. Second, the 284 birds described in the book appear to be selected without any logic. We might expect, based on our knowledge of Levaillant’s South African travels, that he would have intended to give details about the specimens collected there. This was not Levaillant’s primary purpose at all. This is immediately clear from the book’s title, which refers to ‘African’, not ‘South African’ birds. It is unfortunate, however, that he did not feel confined even by this rather large area. He also included quite a number of species which were stated to occur in various Asiatic, Pacific and American localities. A third reason why Levaillant’s work today is treated with much caution is that he included descriptions and plates of some 72 birds said to live in South Africa, but not, in fact, ever found there. In most cases, he wrote that he encountered these birds during his travels, that he brought specimens back to Europe, and, furthermore, he even described their habits in the field. Of course, when it was discovered that all these descriptions were based only on Levaillant’s presumably fecund imagination, he lost much of his credence in the scientific world. It is especially this third reason which has limited the use of the valuable parts of the book. Levaillant’s Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux d'Afrique is still important today, not only because of the light it sheds on the travels and the life of the author, but mainly because it included such a large number of birds (from various countries) which had never been described and depicted earlier. Levaillant provided them with French names only, but this was very quickly supplemented by a number of authors writing in the first half of the 19th century. Hence, it was calculated that at least 315 new scientific names were proposed, based only on the descriptions by Levaillant (Rookmaaker 1989). Quite a large number of these (more than 60) are names still in current use today. Of all these names, the work of Levaillant provides the types. 10 L. C. Rookmaaker The African birds In his large six-volume work on African birds, Levaillant included only 19 African species which do not occur in southern Africa. This rather low number probably reflects the poor knowledge of the ornithology of East and West Africa in the first half of the 19th century. These 19 African birds are listed in Table 1. From this list it will be noted that Levaillant was particularly unfortunate in his descriptions of these birds. In no less than ten cases, he had seen an ‘African’ bird in a European collection, but he “imagined’ that he had seen the same bird during his South African travels. When one is faced only with this small selection of 19 species, one would easily loose confidence in Levaillant’s power of observation. However, notwithstanding these erroneous. locali- ties, all (except one) are good species and seven of them still carry names today which Table 1. List of West and East African birds described in Levaillant’s Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux d’ Afrique (1796-1813). An asterisk (*) denotes méntion in the text below; a dagger (f) indicates Levaillant’s incorrect locality of “South Africa” Plate date French name current name locality 54 1800 Piapiac *Ptilostomus afer (L., 1766) Senegalt 69 1801 Gonolek Laniarius barbarus (L., 1766) Senegalt 73 1801 Pie-Griéche bleue Leptopterus madagascarinus (L., 1766) Madagascary 80,81 1801 Geoffroy *Prionops plumata Shaw, 1809 Senegal 87 1801 Vert Doré Lamprotornis caudatus Shaw, 1809 Senegalt 90 1801 Couigniop Turdus nitens L., 1766 Senegal} 209 1806 Coucou edolio, var. *Oxylophus levaillantii Swainson, 1829 ‘Africa’ PII) 1806 Coucou gris bronzé *Ceuthmochares aereus (Vieillot, 1817) Malymbe 218 1806 Voua tait-sou Coua caerulea (L., 1766) Madagascart 226,227 1807 Vouroug-driou Leptosomus discolor (Hermann, 1783) Madagascart 230-232 1807 Calaocaronculé Bucorvus abyssinicus (Boddaert, 1783) Senegal, Abys- sinia 233 1807 Calaolongibande *Tockus fasciatus (Shaw, 1811) Angola 236, 237 1807 Calao nasique Tockus nasutus (L., 1766) West Africa 238 1807 Toc Tockus erythrorhynchus (Temminck, 1823) Senegal 245 f.2 1808 Hirondelle a front roux Artefact Senegal 259 1808 Coliou rayé a gorge noire *Colius striatus nigricollis Vieillot, 1817 Angola, Malymbe 266 1808 Ramierfouningo Alectroenas madagascariensis (L., 1766) Madagascart 267 1808 Ramier hérisse *Alectroenas nitidissima (Scopoli, 1786) Mauritiust 284 1808 Chevette perlée *Glaucidium perlatum (Vieillot, 1817) Senegal 285 1810 Pie-Griéche Blanchot *Malaconotus blanchoti Stephens, 1826 Senegal 286 1810 Pie-Griéche Perrin Telophorus viridis (Vieillot, 1817) Malymbe 293 f.1 1810 Sucrier cossu Nectarinia pulchella (L., 1766) Senegal? Levaillant’s birds 11 were proposed exclusively on the basis of Levaillant’s evidence. In those cases, therefore, the specimens studied by Levaillant (and shown on his plates) are his type specimens. It is not necessary to comment on each species separately. I give below additional notes on nine of the more interesting descriptions. Notes on Levaillant’s birds - Ptilostomus afer (Linnaeus, 1766) Levaillant incorrectly claimed that he saw this bird in South Africa. Probably he illustrated a specimen which he mentioned in the text, then available in the collection of Joan Raye (1737-1823). This Dutch businessman was a good friend of Levaillant. Raye had a large collection of natural history specimens including many birds, where Levaillant must have worked for some period. This collection was auctioned in 1827, at which time a catalogue was prepared. A large part was then bought by C.J. Temminck for the collection of the Natural History Museum in Leiden, Holland, where many of these birds (including several types) are still available. The specimen of plate 54 is not listed in Raye (1827) and it may have been given to Levaillant. It is not known if it is extant. Prionops plumata (Shaw, 1809) A specimen of this bird was brought to France from Senegal by René Geoffroy de Villeneuve in 1795. Maybe it was placed in the Paris Museum of Natural History. The species was named Lanius plumatus by Shaw, 1809, VII (2): 292; and Lanius geoffroyi by Wilkes, 1813, XII: 218. Both names were based only on Levaillant’s description and plate. Oxylophus levaillantii (Swainson, 1829) Although the species occurs in South Africa, Levaillant did not claim to have observed it there. He only knew of one mounted specimen in the collection of Jacob Temminck in Leiden. It came from “Africa”, but a more exact locality was not available. The description was the basis of Cuculus afer Leach, 1814: 72, plate XXXI [preoccupied]; and Coccyzus levaillantii Swainson, 1829: 13. The type specimen was in Temminck’s collection. It may be still in Leiden Museum, because Temminck’s collection formed the nucleus of that museum when it was founded in 1820. Ceuthmochares aereus (Vieillot, 1817) Levaillant saw a specimen in the collection of Temminck which came from Malymbe (now Cabinda). It was also recorded in a catalogue of that collection by the son of the family, Coenraad Jacob Temminck (1807: 57) as “le coucou gris bronzé” from Angola. The current name proposed as Cuculus aereus by Vieillot (1817, VIII: 229) was based on Levaillant’s text and plate. Tockus fasciatus (Shaw, 1811) Levaillant acquired three specimens from Angola. One he kept himself, one he sold or gave to Temminck, and the third was sold to an unknown person. His description was 12 L. C. Rookmaaker the basis of Buceros fasciatus Shaw, 1811, VIII (1): 34; and also of Buceros longibandus Wilkes, 1808, III: 480. These names by John Wilkes were proposed in the Encyclopaedia Londinensis which appeared in England in 24 volumes between 1795 and 1829 (Rookmaaker 1989: 192-193). Although it is a seldom consulted publication, the names proposed should be considered available. Hence, it must be noted that Buceros longibandus Wilkes, 1808 predates Buceros fasciatus Shaw, 1811. Colius striatus nigricollis Vieillot, 1817 The description of Colius nigricollis by Vieillot (1817, VII: 378) was based on Levaillant’s text. He mentioned that he saw six specimens in a dealer’s shop. He kept one himself, and gave one to Temminck in Holland. The latter specimen is mentioned by Temminck (1807: 97, 228) as the “Coliou a gorge noire” from Malymbe. It may still be in the Leiden Museum. Alectroenas nitidissima (Scopoli, 1786) This is one of the two published plates of this extinct pigeon from Mauritius. Besides the two plates, only three specimens and a few drawings are now known to exist (Rothschild 1907: 163, Tuyn 1969). Levaillant must have drawn his plate from a specimen in Paris. It could be that the one now known in Edinburgh was once owned by his friend in the Paris Museum, Louis Dufresne, because Dufresne’s collection was sold to Edinburgh in 1819 (Rookmaaker 1989: 268-269). Glaucidium perlatum (Vieillot, 1817) Levaillant recorded a specimen in the collection of Joan Raye in Amsterdam, Holland. It is also found in the sales catalogue (Raye 1827: 5, No. 31). It formed the basis of the current name, proposed as Strix perlata Vieillot, 1817, VII: 26. Malaconotus blanchoti Stephens, 1826 Mees (1970: 67) revealed that Levaillant’s type, from Joan Raye’s collection, is still present in the Museum of Natural History in Leiden. Therefore, the names based on this description are available, i.e. Lanius major Wilkes, 1812, XII: 212; Malaconotus blanchoti Stephens, 1826, XIII (2): 161; and Lanius icterus Cuvier, 1836: 215. It will be noticed that the first name proposed by Wilkes predates the one currently in use. References Cuvier, GEorGES 1836. Le régne animal. 3rd ed. Bruxelles: Hauman. LEACH, W.E. 1814. The zoological miscellany. Vol 1. London: E. Nodder & Son. LEVALLLANT, F. 1796-1813. Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux d’ Afrique. 6 vols. Paris. Mess, G.F. 1970. Birds of the Inyanga National Park, Rhodesia. Zoologische Verhandelingen, Leiden 109: 1-74. RayYE, JoAN 1827. Catalogue du Cabinet célébre et trés renomme d’ objets d’ histoire naturelle. La Haye/Amsterdam: Van Cleef. ROOKMAAKER, L.C. 1989. The zoological exploration of southern Africa 1650-1790. Rotter- dam: Balkema. ROTHSCHILD, WALTER 1907. Extinct birds. London: Hutchinson. SHAW, GEORGE 1809-1811. General zoology, or systematic natural history: Birds. Vols 7 and 8. London: G. Kearsley. Levaillant’s birds; Request: red-billed hornbills in Africa 13 STEPHENS, J.F. 1826. General zoology, or systematic natural history: Birds. Vol 13. London: G. Kearsley. SwaInson, W. 1829. Zoological illustrations. 2nd series, Vol 1. London: Baldwin & Cradock. TEMMINCK, C.J. 1807. Catalogue systématique du Cabinet d’ Ornithologie et de la collection de quadrumanes. Amsterdam: C. Sepp Jansz. Tuyn, P. 1969. Notes on the extinct pigeon from Mauritius Alectroenas nitidissima (Scopoli, 1786). Beaufortia 16 (218): 163-170. VIELLOT, L.P. 1817. [articles on birds] in Nouveau dictionnaire d'histoire naturelle. Vols 7 and 8. Paris: Deterville. WILKES, JoHN. 1795-1829. Encyclopaedia Londinensis. 24 vols. London. Dr L. C. Rookmaaker, Dokter Guepinlaan 23, 4032 NH Ommeren, The Netherlands Scopus 16: 9-13, July 1992 Received 30 November 1990 Request: red-billed hornbills in Africa The current wisdom about the common and widespread Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus is that there are three distinct populations or subspecies in Africa. From Senegal to Tanzania is the nominate race with brown eyes and white facial plumage. From Zambia south to South Africa and east to Namibia is the race rufirostris with yellow eyes and grey facial plumage, while in western Namibia is the race damarensis with brown eyes and white facial plumage (very like nominate birds). All forms have pink skin around the eyes and as small patches on the throat, which become brighter during the breeding season. On a visit to Singapore last year a pair of red-billed hornbills was seen in a cage at the Jurong Bird Park that had yellow eyes and black skin around the eyes. The origin of these birds was unknown but subsequent searches through the collections at the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) and the Zoologische Museum, Berlin, revealed specimens with black facial skin from two areas—Senegal and Gambia at the northwestern limit of the species’ range and from around Lake Rukwa north to Lake Victoria in Tanzania. Few specimens had eye colour recorded but some were brown (Senegambia) and others yellow (Tanzania). Such differences in eye and facial skin colour are sufficient to separate species in some other Jockus species and re-billed hornbills may comprise several species rather than only one. Anyone with close-up colour photos of red-billed hornbills from Africa is asked to examine them. Details of date, locality and colour of eyes, facial skin and plumage would be most welcome, together with a copy of the photo if possible. Records of specimens with black facial skin, so far unreported in the literature, would be especially welcome, together with any notes on behaviour, displays, calls and habitat. Dr Alan Kemp, Head Curator, Department of Birds, Transvaal Museum, Paul Kruger Street, Box 413, Pretoria, South Africa (fax: +27 12 322 7939) 14 J.S. Ash An apparently isolated population of Blue-breasted Kingfishers Halcyon malimbica in Ethiopia J.S. Ash The most interesting records of Blue-breasted Kingfishers Halcyon malimbica in Ethiopia (de Castro & de Castro 1990) would seem, in the absence of details of identification and because they were apparently remote from any other records, to be inherently unlikely. Through the courtesy of G. C. Backhurst the de Castros (in litt.) kindly provided details of identification for the birds seen by them, as well as a colour photograph of one bird, along the Legedema River and Didessa River in Wolega Province, Ethiopia, in January, February and May 1989 (the observers were not in the area in March and April). They again saw the birds in the same area in October 1989, when there was also another not far away along the Didessa River. The photograph shows the blue breast band having a similar intensity of blue as the back of the neck, the black eye-streak extending well behind the eye, and the black of the wing coverts extending over the scapulars. The identification cannot be in doubt. This species is largely sedentary (Fry et al. 1988) and the only evidence for movement anywhere in Africa is provided by Elgood (1982), who states that records in north Nigeria are in the rains (implying that they are not there at other times). The de Castros’ records are prior to the rains in Ethiopia, which perhaps suggests that their birds did not arrive at this site from their far-away known range of distribution. In Uganda the species is not uncommon in the west and south and to the east as far as the Sezibwa River (Britton 1980); in the Sudan it is only recorded from four localities in the south and southwest along the Zaire border (Nikolaus 1989). The nearest known localities to the Ethiopian site are c. 650 km away in the Sudan and c. 900 km away in Uganda. My own observations from further north in forest along the Didessa River at 9°03N, 36°O8E near where the Lekempt—Ghimbi road crosses the ravine, provide evidence for two further records, previously overlooked, of H. malimbica. This area was visited for a total of 98 days between 10 March 1970 and 16 July 1975 (20 days in January, 40 in February, 12 in March, 9 in June and 17 in July), in the course of an investigation of wild vertebrates as potential arbovirus reservoir hosts. Halcyon kingfishers, identified at the time as senegalensis, were seen rarely: 1-2 daily on 10-12 March 1970, and singly on 8 July 1971 and 21 February 1974. A small amount of blood for a serum sample was removed from each of the two captured birds on 13 March 1970 and 8 July 1971 before they were measured, ringed and released (Table 1). Both of these were retrospectively identified as H. malimbica. Table 1. Details of two Halcyon malimbica from the Didessa valley, Ethiopia Date time wing moult wing (mm) weight (g) reference 13.03.70 08:30 nil 112 9 fe 2067 08.07.71 14:30 nil 119 71.4 18973 Blue-breasted Kingfishers in Ethiopia 15 They were entered on my schedules as H. senegalensis, and although both their long wing-lengths and heavy weights were noted, the possibility of H. malimbica, with which I was unfamiliar, was not considered at the time. Table 2. Weights and wing-lengths of Halcyon malimbica and senegalensis Species weights (g) wing-lengths (mm) authority and region mean range n mean range n H. s. senegalensis 49.9 36.6-64.5 191 105 100-105 193 Ash Ethiopia H. 5s. senegalensis 54.3 41-64 24 105 98-113 153 Fry et al. 1988 East Africa H.s.cyanoleuca 62.7 56-76 19 112) ~=105-120 123 Fry et al. 1988 Malawi H. m. malimbica LAID 2 112: 119, 2 Ash Ethiopia H.m.malimbica 83 66-94 42 PIS? “10-19 45 Fry et al. 1988 Uganda Table 2 shows that the measurements of the wing-lengths and weights of the two captured Didessa birds are above those for a large sample of Ethiopian H. s. senegalensis which I handled in other parts of the country. The measurements do, however, fall within the ranges of the parameters for H. malimbica given by Fry et al. (1988). It is noteworthy that I have only four weights for nominate senegalensis above 60 g, which are in the range of 61.1-64.5 g. There is a larger southern race of H. senegalensis, H. s. cyanoleuca, which is more likely to be confused with malimbica, particularly as it moves north in the non-breeding season. One specimens of cyanoleuca has been obtained on the River Baro in southern Sudan (Fry et al. 1988) close to the Ethiopian border, and some 300 km to the west of the Didessa localities for H. malimbica. H. s. cyanoleuca is as distinct as is H. s. senegalensis from malimbica on plumage, but there is an overlap in wing-length. The two Didessa malimbica wing-lengths at 112 and 119 mm fall within the range given for H. s. cyanoleuca, but the heavier bird at 77.9 g is heavier than any cyanoleuca in Table 2 (range 56-76 g). The evidence provided above indicates that the birds in 1970 and 1971 were, without reasonable doubt, records of H. malimbica. It now remains to establish the distribution and racial status of this isolated population on the edge of this almost ornithologically unknown forested area of Ethiopia, where it may even largely replace senegalensis. The species has now been recorded in all the months except for June in which the area has been visited by the de Castros and me, namely January—March, May-July and October. However, these more recent records of H. malimbica in Ethiopia are pre-dated by an earlier one first noted in an apparently unpublished typed report of the Italian Game Department in Ethiopia in 1941. It lists a male “Halcyon malimbicus [sic] 16 J.S. Ash subsp.?” on 8 March 1939 collected at Handac (regione) in the valley of the Didessa River to the west of Lechemti (= Lekempt), with a note “Primo rinvenimento ad oriente ad Nilo bianco?” (First discovery east of the White Nile?). The record is published by Toschi (1959) as Halcyon malimbicus prenticei! Mearns on 18 (sic) March 1939 at Handac (Leckemti), as the first record from Ethiopia. The determinations of birds in this collection were made by Toschi personally, and he obviously took enough care to identify this bird subspecifically. He also identified H. senegalensis in the same collection, so there seems to be no reason to doubt the validity of this record. Moltoni & Ruscone (1940) were presumably unaware of it when they completed Gli uccelli dell’ Africa orientale Italiana in October 1939, for the species is not mentioned in that work. Similarly, it is not mentioned in the Ethiopian check-list (Urban & Brown 1970). I have been able to place the Handac region between the Didessa and Angar valleys, and as the former is mentioned specifically it cannot be far from the site of the 1970 and 1971 records. Subsequently, an expedition from the Paris Museum collected in the Handac area in c. 1970, and the Smithsonian Institution collected in the upper Didessa valley further south between Dembi and Agaro in 1971 (Desfayes 1975), but neither recorded H. malimbica. Otherwise the records are few in relation to the amount of time spent in the area, so that the species may be somewhat rare. Professor C.H. Fry accepted the recent records of malimbica in Ethiopia for inclusion in a book on kingfishers and related birds (Fry et al. in press). The Italian record had not been traced at the time of this decision. Acknowledgements I thank G. C. Backhurst for his help, Dr and Mrs de Castro for sending me further details of their observations, and Professor C. H. Fry for his comments. References BRITTON, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. DE Castro, J.J. & DE Castro, M. 1990. The Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica in South-West Ethiopia. Scopus 14: 22. DesFAYES, M. 1975. Birds from Ethiopia. Revue de Zoologie Africaine 89: 505-535. E_coop, J.H. 1982. The birds of Nigeria. London: British Ornithologists’ Union. Fry, C.H., Fry, K. & Harris, A. in press. Kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers: an identification guide. London: Helm. Fry, C.H., Kerru, S. & Ursan, E.K. 1988. The birds of Africa. Vol 3. London: Academic Press. Moltoni, E. & Ruscone, G.G. 1940. Gli uccelli dell’ Africa orientale Italiana. Part 1. Milano. Niko aus, G. 1987. Distribution atlas of Sudan’s birds with notes on habitat and status. Bonner Zoologische Monographien 25: 1-322. Toscui, A. 1959. Contributo alla Ornithofauna d’Etiopia. Ricerche di Zoologia Applicata alla Caccia 2: 301-412. 1H. m. prenticei is regarded as synonymous with nominate malimbica by White (1965) Blue-breasted Kingfishers in Ethiopia 17 URBAN, E.K. & Brown, L.H. 1971. A checklist of the birds of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa: Haile Sellassie I University Press. Wuire, C.M.N. 1965. A revised check list of African non-passerine birds. Lusaka: Government Printer. Dr J. S. Ash, Godshill Wood, Fordingbridge, Hants SP6 2LR, England Scopus 16: 14-17, July 1992 Received 26 November 1991 18 J.S. Ash, M.A.C. Coverdale and T.M. Gullick Spring migration of raptors and some other species in western Uganda J. S. Ash, M. A. C. Coverdale and T. M. Gullick The following account collects together scattered observations on diurnal migrants, mainly raptors, seen during a journey through western Uganda, 13 February—10 March 1990. The information obtained during this period, together with a review of the comments in Britton (1980), demonstrates the importance of Uganda for passage migrants. There was no sign of visible migration during 13-25 February, spent mainly in the Impenetrable (Bwindi) Forest (1°O0S, 29°40E) and Kibale Forest Reserve (0°30N, 30°25E). On 26 February, en route from Fort Portal to Bwamba (0°SON, 30°30E) round the northern end (c. 0°49N, 30°16E) of the Rwenzori Mountains, Black Kites Milvus migrans were flying northwards. At 10:00 hrs 125 birds flying along the eastern side of the mountains gathered in a thermal and drifted off towards Lake Albert. Nearby on the following morning ten more rose from the bush on the first thermals of the day, and also moved away northwards. From 27 February to 5 March there was no sign of migration over the forest in Bwamba on the western side of the mountains. On the return journey on 5 March, as soon as the above site at the northern end of the mountains was reached, many Eurasian Swifts Apus apus were streaming down through the foothills from the south and heading out over the plain towards the lake. Next day >50 Eurasian Swifts flew north at 0°46N, 30°47E near Katoke at 72 km ENE of Fort Portal, and >20 Black Kites flew north at a point 3 km beyond. From here north to Masindi there were many, sometimes a great many, Sand Martins Riparia riparia drifting leisurely north and 25 more Black Kites drifted north in a thermal 27 km north of Masindi at 1°49N, 31°42E. No particular watch was possible from below the forest canopy in Budongo on 7-8 March, although many Sand Martins were seen flying north. From open woodland in Budongo Forest at 1°43N, 31°34E on 9 March a rather distant movement flying NNE of Black Kites and Steppe Buzzards Buteo buteo vulpinus (called simply ‘Buzzard’ in the remainder of this paper) was seen at 11:30 hrs, and 181 birds were counted in 15 min. Shortly afterwards the main body of this movement was located and it continued unabated until at least 15:30 hrs, after which it slowly decreased until by 16:36 hrs there were only occasional birds. Certainly during this period of over 444-h of passage thousands of birds, and probably tens of thousands, were involved. At one time when the numbers passing were not considered to be greater than in the hour on each side, at least 1000 raptors were visible at once. Progress was in the normal manner for migrating raptors—leisurely rising in a thermal, followed by a long and fast descending glide to a concentration of birds rising in the next thermal. Flight height was difficult to assess, but very few birds were below c. 100 m, and most were near the limit of visibility to the naked eye, extending beyond to be visible only through x10 binoculars. Birds were seen passing through or behind the scattered clouds, and it was judged that the higher birds could have been over 3000 m above ground level (here at 1250 m). The great majority were Buzzards, with only a few Black Kites, and two or three larger birds, flying very high and flashing some white below, may have been Short-toed Eagles Circaetus gallicus. Earlier in the day, when there were rather more Spring migration in western Uganda 19 Black Kites, these were flying NE/ENE, whereas the Buzzards were all flying NNE. By moving our point of observation slightly in the afternoon we may have encountered the more concentrated Buzzard migration, and it seemed that the kites were on a somewhat divergent track. Next day, 10 March, at a few kilometres ESE of Masindi, very many Eurasian Swifts and many Alpine Swifts Apus melba were moving north and concentrating over a lake and marshland; then, at 09:30 hrs, at 26 km SE (1°36N, 31°57E) raptors began to rise out of the light woodland, and 10 min later there was suddenly a large uprising over a wide area of hundreds of raptors of several species, but notably Buzzards, with hundreds of Eurasian Bee-eaters Merops apiaster and several Abdim’s Storks Ciconia abdimii. As the rising birds merged with others from adjoining areas, all settled down into a NNW flight direction. From periodic checks we estimated that for every 100 Buzzards, there were 20 Black Kites, five Lesser Spotted Eagles Aguila pomarina and four Steppe Eagles A. nipalensis. There was one large dark eagle, not certainly identified, possibly an Imperial A. heliaca, but we were not confident of our ability to identify this species, nor that we could separate all A. pomarina and nipalensis. Further south-east along the road no more raptors were seen for the rest of the day. Flocks of 150 and 400 Abdim’s Storks flew NE at.42 and 53 km from Masindi, and at the latter site hundreds of Eurasian Swifts were flying NNW. Near Nakasongola, Eurasian Bee-eaters flew north and there were >1000 Sand Martins near Kokoge. Discussion It is an established fact (Britton 1980) that several species of Palaearctic diurnal migrant pass through Uganda regularly in large numbers, and probably on well- established flight routes year after year. It is remarkable that there is an almost complete dearth of systematic observations of these events. It is becoming increasingly important to study these movements in detail throughout the full extent of each species’ migration in order to obtain an indication of population levels and changes, dates of major movements, and to map migration routes and overwintering areas. Information of this sort is required for devising conservation strategies when dealing with migrant species. For example, it might be a total waste of effort to give full protection to a species in both its breeding and non-breeding range if some (perhaps small) vital link in its migration route disappears. Such intermediate areas may be ones with a seasonally rich local supply of easily available food (such as the seasonal emergence of alate termites), or large areas of woodland essential for resting and roosting purposes. Large areas of such habitat can disappear, for example, in agricultural development schemes, or through other changes in land-use. Much information of the kind required can be obtained by gradually building up casual observations over the years to provide eventually a composite picture. For other reasons it is important that such observations should be gathered together, or at least made accessible. Already data exist to work out for many Eurasian species an outline of their journey to and from breeding areas to winter quarters in Africa, and the routes they traverse. Obviously the many gaps in our knowledge of these journeys need to be investigated, and with the aid of casual observations, many can be. Looking at the species alluded to above in the light of the comments on their status in Uganda by Britton (1980) it is found that Abdim’s Storks, numerous in Uganda, almost entirely breed further north, spend the non-breeding season in southern Africa, and pass 20 J.S. Ash, M.A.C. Coverdale and T.M. Gullick through the country on their return north in February—May. Our records of large flocks on 10 March conform with this pattern. Our doubtful records of Short-toed Eagles are not supported by previous records by Britton in Uganda, of which there are only two, and there is no previous record in Uganda for the Imperial Eagle doubtfully recorded by us. Steppe Eagles, according to Britton, are common winter visitors and passage migrants although much less common in Uganda than in Kenya and Tanzania. They were in much smaller numbers in 1990 than Black Kites and Buzzards, and their main passage may be further east. Our rather more frequently seen Lesser Spotted Eagles on 10 March may have been early migrants, for the only regular spring passage mentioned by Britton in Uganda is from the western Rift and Rwenzori National Park in April, although for March there is evidence for northward passage in areas to the south of Lake Victoria. Although noted by Britton as being sometimes numerous on spring passage in Uganda, no previous well-defined flight route for Buzzards seems to have been identified. From the evidence of observations made further south he presumed that there is a northerly passage each side of Lake Victoria. If this is the case, the two streams may come together in northern Uganda, and this view is supported by the flight direction of the many birds at Budongo being to the NNE whereas the many seen east of Masindi were flying NNW. Intertropical migrant Black Kites M. m. parasitus are described by Britton as arriving in August—October “in flocks of hundreds or thou- sands’, and most depart by March after completion of breeding. Our birds in March were presumably part of this return flight, and its nature suggests that the birds were concentrated in narrow streams. There is always difficulty in distinguishing migrating swifts from others involved in feeding or local ‘weather’ movements. Probably most of those seen in March 1990 were on passage, and their occurrences were sometimes, but not always, concentrated in streams. Swift passage frequently occurs in association with migrating raptors, for example Apus pacificus with Accipiter spp. and Pernis in Indonesia (Ash in prep.), where concentration along a narrow front is adopted under conditions where a broad- front movement might appear to be equally effective. Britton (1980) mentions that passage in western Uganda may be heavier in spring, in mid February to early April, than in autumn. Alpine Swift movements are more difficult to interpret in Uganda owing to the presence of three races, two of which are resident, and one Palaearctic migrant. Breeding birds travel very long distances to feed, and presumably may do so in flocks. Large numbers (1000 d-') flying north in April over an area north of Masindi, not far from where we saw many on 10 March, have been thought to be returning Palaearctic birds (Britton 1980). Bee-eater passage tends to be on a broad front, often very high, and occasionally, perhaps fortuitously, is associated with other species. Our birds were almost certainly on passage, although Britton mentions that very small numbers overwinter in SW Uganda, and that passage occurs in late March through to early May. Movements of Sand Martins are also difficult to interpret because of their habits of forming roaming feeding flocks, and massing in large social roosts. Britton refers to them in Uganda as being locally abundant winter visitors, and on passage mainly in late March through early May in spring. It was not established whether the birds we saw were on active passage, or merely on feeding flights. Spring migration in western Uganda aA The main interest of the present observations is to indicate the scale of migration in Uganda of certain raptors, notably Buzzards, Black Kites, Steppe Eagles and Lesser Spotted Eagles, and in particular in pointing out that much of this migration may be overlooked because of the high altitude at which it takes place. In identifying the flight lines used by these birds, it should be possible to develop a suitable technique for monitoring population levels from year to year. Acknowledgements We thank Dr D.J. Pearson for his helpful comments on the draft of this paper. References Asu, J.S. in prep. Autumn migration of raptors and some other species in Bali. Britton, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. Dr J. §. Ash, Godshill Wood, Fordingbridge, Hants SP6 2LR, England, M.A. C. Coverdale, Box 2978, Nakuru, Kenya and T. M. Gullick, Quevedo 20, Infantes, Ciudad Real, Spain Scopus 16: 18-21, July 1992 Received 16 November 1991 22 J.S. Ash and Gerhard Nikolaus Birds in the hot season along the Nile in the Sudanese eastern Sahara J.S. Ash and Gerhard Nikolaus In autumn 1986 an ICBP-supported expedition investigated the importance of the upper Lake Nasser area around Wadi Halfa (21°55N, 31°20E), Sudan, particularly for migratory birds in late summer and early autumn. The three main objectives were: 1. to investigate the species of Palaearctic migrants and their relative numbers at a site along the Nile at an approximate mid-way stage through the eastern Sahara; 2. to assess the importance of Lake Nasser as a habitat for migrant and resident waterbirds; 3. to check on visible White Stork Ciconia ciconia migration at this point along the Nile. These three topics, as well as some other points of ornithological interest, are being discussed elsewhere. Here we are concerned with a brief account of all the species recorded during our visit to the area, with a brief statement on their numbers and status. A camp was established on the eastern shore of the lake within c. 200 m of a large area of Tamarix scrub on 24 August. Before leaving on 22 September we twice had to move on to higher ground as the level of the lake rose. Throughout the period there was little cloud and no rain, and rather dusty conditions on a few days of Khamsin winds. Full moon was on 18 September. It was generally very hot with day maxima ranging from 42° to over 50°C. On 10-11 September a short trip was made with local fishermen to Argeen (21°59N, 31°18E) on the west bank of the lake on the Egyptian border, where a small stream with Phragmites swamp and old Tamarix trees enters the lake. Birds, particularly migrants, were prolific around the permanent camp-site, and their numbers were estimated daily in an area of c. 500 m radius. Mist nets were used to catch, weigh, assess lipid levels, and ring a daily sample of migrants, but the number of nets in use varied depending mainly on the numbers of birds being caught and the temperature. Nets were closed if more birds were being caught than could be processed within 30 min, and always closed 2% h after dawn; some were frequently reopened at various times during the day and for 14% h before dark. On some nights nets were operated for various periods in order to check on the fall-out time of night migrants. Annotated list of species We follow the nomenclature and systematic order used by Nikolaus (1987) in which the new distribution.data obtained during this visit have been incorporated. Our observa- tions have been checked against the distributions summarized in The Birds of Africa (Brown et al. 1982, Urban et al. 1986, Fry et al. 1988) and Birds of the western Palearctic (Cramp 1985, 1988, Cramp & Simmons 1977, 1980, 1983), as a result of which interesting range extensions have been revealed and are indicated under the relevant species accounts below. White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Single adults on 8 and 12 Sep, most likely to be of Palaearctic origin. Hot season birds along the Nile in eastern Sudan 23 Pink-backed Pelican P. rufescens Daily, usually 15—20; a distribution which does not conform with Brown et al. (1982). Darter Anhinga rufa One on 26 Aug was far north of the range given in Brown et al. (1982). . Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Flock of 17 on 26 Aug arrived c. 09:00 hrs; 3 on 31 Aug. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Daily, usually 10-20, once 25. Evidence of visible southward migration of small groups of birds. Purple Heron A. purpurea 1-22 on seven days, 30 Aug—13 Sep, usually involved _ birds in parties flying south in the evenings. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 2 on 30 Aug, 1 on 17 Sep. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Up to 60 feeding in the area on 13 days in Sep. Little Egret Egretta garzetta Daily up to over 200, probably all local residents where they breed commonly on islets. At least 2 pulli present 7 Sep. Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Heard daily, usually in the evenings and early mornings, and often at night, flying southwards. Seen in flocks of 50 or more at times. White Stork Ciconia ciconia 200 arrived at 14:40 hrs on 23 Aug and departed south in thermal at 08:55 next day. 500 in morning of 29 Aug left south 10:00—10:30. 1-6 occasionally on other days. The main passage appears to be further east. Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis Daily up to 90. This is well to the north of its known distribution shown by Brown et al. (1982) and Nikolaus (1987). Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 1-3 on 4 days, 25 Aug—7 Sep. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 1-17 on 13 days were presumably southward bound Palaearctic birds, for which there are several ringing recoveries in the Sudan (Nikolaus 1987). Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber 2 on 3 and 5 Sep. Probably mainly coastal in this region (vide Brown et al. (1982), Cramp & Simmons (1977), Nikolaus (1987)). Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus Daily, 150-300. Pintail Anas acuta 17, 41 and 3 on 19-21 Sep respectively. Shoveler A. clypeata 4 on 13 Sep. Garganey A. querquedula On most days in variable numbers, up to 600. More than 200 on 5 days. Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Daily up to 20, but up to 50 from mid Sep, presumably indicating new arrivals from the Palaearctic (Nikolaus (1984). Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus 1 on 13 Sep. Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 1-6 on 12 days throughout; 6 on 20 Sep. Most flew S/SSE over the lake or near the shore. Montagu’s Harrier C. pygargus 1-3 on 5 days from 5 Sep, included two adult males and ‘ringtails’ which appeared to be this species. Black Kite Milvus migrans Daily up to 10, but 40 on 24 Aug. Osprey Pandion haliaetus One on 30 Aug and 3 Sep. Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus 1-2 on 6 days to 1 Sep. Saker Falcon F. cherrug 1-2 on 13 days throughout are much earlier dates than those given in Brown et al. (1982). 24 J.S. Ash and Gerhard Nikolaus Sooty Falcon F. concolor 1-2 on 9 days. These, as well as the above two species of falcons, actively sought night migrants soon after dawn. Kestrel F. tinnunculus 1 on 21 Sep. Quail Coturnix coturnix 1 on7 Sep. Harlequin Quail C. delegorguei A male netted on 27 Aug (wing 99 mm, weight 65.0 g). This bird, on the boundary of the Palaearctic, is the most northerly recorded. Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1-3 on 4 days from 8 Sep. Spotted Crake Porzana porzana 1-3 on 5 days from 2 Sep. Little Crake P. parva Singly on 25 Aug and 1 Sep. Coot Fulica atra One 18-21 Sep. Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 1-4 on 6 days. Little Ringed Plover C. dubius 3 at Argeen on 11 Sep. This area is outside that shown on the distribution map in Urban et al. (1986). Ringed Plover C. hiaticula 1-10 on 19 days. Great Sandplover C. leschenaultii 1-2 daily 10-13 Sep. Nikolaus (1987) gives only one previous inland record for the Sudan. Kittlitz’s Sandplover C. pecuarius Common daily, 40—60 often. Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus Daily, up to 140, and breeding. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Up to 15 in Aug, then 5 or fewer in Sep. Curlew Numenius arquata One on 8 Sep. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 1-5 on 13 days, but only twice after 5 Sep. Greenshank T. nebularia Daily, up to 15. Green Sandpiper T. ochropus Singly on 5 days. Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis 1-4 on 9 days and 20 on 31 Aug. Redshank T. totanus 1-4 on most days. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago One on 8 and 17 Sep. Dunlin Calidris alpina One on 15 Sep. Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea 1-4 on 5 days. : Little Stint C. minuta Daily up to 100, except 11-14 Sep when 200. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 1-6 on 8 days. Ruff Philomachus pugnax On most days, up to 30. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Up to 40 to 5 Sep, then 5 or fewer. Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta One on 1 Sep, 3 on 10 Sep. Not mapped along the White Nile north of Khartoum by Urban et al. (1986). Senegal Thicknee Burhinus senegalensis 1-3 on 10 days. Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor Up to 14 on 12 days. Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni 10 on 1 Sep, 3 on 19 Sep. The overwintering record of 5000 birds in Sudan in Urban et al. (1986), although close to the border, is an error for Ethiopia (Ash 1977). Common Pratincole G. pratincola One on 31 Aug, 2 on 17 Sep. The 3000 recorded overwintering in Nikolaus (1987) should read 5000 (Ash 1977). Hot season birds along the Nile in eastern Sudan 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus One on 12 Sep, 47 on 19 Sep. Little Gull L. minutus An immature bird flew south on 17 Sep, the first inland record for the Sudan. Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus Two on 5 Sep. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus On most days, up to 100 on 6 Sep and then 50 or fewer. Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 1-2 on 3 days to 10 Sep. Little Tern Sterna albifrons On most days to 2 Sep when 132 counted, then up to 20 on 12 days. These may have been referable to S$. a. saundersi. Urban et al. (1986) regard the two races S. a. albifrons and S. a. saundersi as distinct species, but have confused the distribution of the two: e.g., by including Lake Turkana in northern Kenya in the text for albifrons, but by showing it only on the map for saundersi, whereas Britton (1980) and Lewis & Pomeroy (1989) state that this population is saundersi. Caspian Tern S. caspia Two on 2 Sep, 3 on 4 Sep. Common Tern S. hirundo 1-7 on 8 days to 10 Sep, which are further evidence for an overland Nile/Rift valley passage, in association with two other Nile valley records in Cramp (1985) and Nikolaus (1987). All these records are additional to those given in Urban et al. (1986). African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris Daily up to 156 to 8 Sep, thereafter not more than 80. An adult ringed on 25 Aug was caught by a fisherman at Abu Rakham (13°40N, 34°26E), 1000 km SSE in Sudan, on 25 Oct 1986; the first definite evidence of migration on this scale. Crowned Sandgrouse Pterocles coronatus Two on 9 Sep. 61 at Argeen on 11 Sep; a slight extension of range to that mapped in Urban et al. (1986). Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Two on 2 Sep, then >30 daily from 8 Sep. Desert Eagle Owl Bubo bubo ascalaphus Singly on 25 Aug, 12 and 19 Sep. Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius Daily, up to 7, extending the distribution given in Fry et al. (1988). Eurasian Nightjar C. europaeus Singly on 7, 9 and 17 Sep. Eurasian Swift Apus apus Two on 15 Sep, one on 18 Sep, judged to be this species. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Two on 3 Sep and 1-2 daily from 16 Sep. It is actually well distributed along the Nile in northern Sudan (Nikolaus 1987), where only one record is mapped in Fry et al. (1988). Eurasian Kingfisher Alcedo atthis One on 14 and 17-21 Sep, 3 on 16 Sep. An uncommon visitor along the Nile in the far north. Eurasian Bee-eater Merops apiaster Fairly often heard, but only occasionally seen, flying south (once east) very high on calm days (possibly inaudible on windy days); >100 on 7 Sep, 4 parties on 17 Sep, >100 on 18 Sep, 1 party on 19 Sep. Hoopoe Upupa epops One on 6 and 15 Sep. Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla One on 16 Sep. Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Three on 16-18 Sep, 30 on 19 Sep, 60 on 21 Sep. Crested Lark Galerida cristata Very common, up to 100 present, but fluctuating numbers suggested (local) movements. 26 J.S. Ash and Gerhard Nikolaus African Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula On most days up to 20 pale birds. Feeding young in nest in Wadi Halfa on 24 and 27 Sep. Eurasian Swallow H. rustica Few to 11 Sep (max. 13), then 100—200 often and 1000 on 17 Sep, 5000 on 18 Sep and 2000 on 19 Sep. African Sand Martin Riparia paludicola One on 18 Sep, at the northern extreme of its African range. Sand Martin R. riparia Up to 5 on 5 days from 3 Sep as well as 50 on 7 Sep and 25 on 13 Sep, thereafter 200-300 to 19 Sep and 1500 on 18 Sep and 750 on 19 Sep. Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 1-2 on 4 days, 3—21 Sep. Argeen: 7 on 10 Sep, 4 on 11 Sep. Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis Daily, up to 40. Rufous Bush Chat Cercotrichas galactotes Singly on 27, 30 and 31 Aug. Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos One on 31 Aug. Another next day was either this or L. luscinia. Sprosser Luscinia luscinia Singly on 26 Aug, 2 and 4 Sep. Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica Singly on 4 days from 18 Sep. Isabelline Wheatear O. isabellina 1-3 most days from 2 Sep. Northern Wheatear O. oenanthe One on 30 Aug, then 1-3 on 10 days. Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Singly 29 Aug and 17 and 18 Sep; 2 on 19 Sep. Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 1-4 on 14 days throughout. Marsh Warbler A. palustris Up to 10 on most days to 31 Aug, then 1-3 on 4 days to 7 Sep. Sedge Warbler A. schoenobaenus Daily up to 60, except for 200 on 2 Sep; otherwise no obvious peak. An adult ringed on 5 Sep (weight 9.5 g) was found dying on 22 Apr 1987 at Eskisehir, Turkey (39°46N, 30°30E). The mean weight of 451 birds was 12.5 g (range 8.5—16.5 g). Reed Warbler A. scirpaceus 150—S00 daily throughout. Peaks on 30 Aug, and 2, 4 and 17 Sep. An adult female ringed on 11 Sep (weight 14.5 g) was controlled on 18 Jul 1988 at Lake Balaton, Hungary (46°43N, 17°15E). The mean weight of 1364 birds was 12.4 g (range 7.5—16.0 g). Clamorous Reed Warbler A. stentoreus Two nominate stentoreus at Argeen on 11 Sep, and another heard singing, are the first records from inland Sudan and are presumably an extension of the population breeding along the Nile in Egypt. Much further south, at Abu Gussi, on the Nile near Debba (17°19N, 31°17E) three birds seen in the field appeared to be the same species. Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina One on 9 Sep. Olivaceous Warbler H. pallida Up to 30 daily to 29 Aug, then on most days 5 or fewer. Further north at Abu Simbel passage was heavy 15-17 Aug. Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides Up to 10 almost daily throughout. The mean weight of 54 birds was 14.0 g (range 11.0—18.5 g). Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Up to 15 daily except 30 on 15 Sep and 50 on 18 Sep. Stripe-backed Prinia Prinia gracilis Common resident, >10 daily. Newly fledged pulli on 24 Aug, and 1 new-laid egg on 27 Aug. Hot season birds along the Nile in eastern Sudan Pst Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Singly on 25 Aug, 18 and 19 Sep. Whitethroat S. communis One on 31 Aug and 5 Sep, 2 on 6 Sep. Lesser Whitethroat S. curruca The second most numerous migrant. Daily; up to 70 to 2 Sep, up to 200 to 12 Sep, then up to 500 on 4 days. 1000 at Argeen on 10 Sep. An adult ringed on 6 Sep (weight 10.0 g) was shot on 13 Sep 1987 at Sidi Kreir (21°55N, 31°20E), 30 km SW of Alexandria, Egypt; an adult ringed on 17 Sep was found long dead on 28 Jun 1987 at Marcal River (47°19N, 17°13E), near Kemenesmagasi, Hungary. The mean weight of 845 birds was 11.8 g (range 8.0—15.5 g). Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Singly on 14 Aug and 7 and 14 Sep, then 14 _ daily. A first-year bird ringed on 16 Sep (weight 14.0 g) was found in the market at Damascus (c. 33°30N, 36°19E), Syria, in autumn 1988. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Two on 8 Sep. Tree Pipit A. trivialis Singly 29 Aug, and 18 and 19 Sep. African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp 1-3 most days, but 10 on 7 Sep and 8 on 19 Sep. Yellow Wagtail M. flava Up to 25, but on most days 10 or fewer. Up to 150 at Argeen on 10-11 Sep. Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 1-2 on 13 days in Sep. Lesser Grey Shrike L. minor Singly on 2, 3, 13 and 18 Sep. Nubian Shrike L. nubicus 1-5 on 12 days from 6 Sep. Woodchat Shrike L. senator One on 19 Sep. One on 10 Sep at Argeen. House Sparrow Passer domesticus Daily, up to 100. Pale Rock Sparrow Petronia brachydactyla One on 18 and 19 Sep. This is far to the north of its usual range. Acknowledgements We wish to thank Thomas Kiel, Uli Fechner, Ralf Blohm, Achmed El Malik, and Mr El Hadi, who accompanied us and worked untiringly in the field under somewhat trying circumstances; ICBP and the Deutscher Bund fiir Vogelschutz gave valuable help and support, and the Wildlife Conservation Forces of the Sudan organized all the necessary permits. Without the help and hospitality of the people of Wadi Halfa and the Egyptian and Sudanese border authorities the operation would not have been possible. References Asu, J.S. 1977. Four species of birds new to Ethiopia and other notes. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 97: 4-9. Brown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEWMAN, K. 1982. The birds of Africa. Vol 1. London: Academic Press. CRAMP, S. (ED.) 1985, 1988. The birds of the western Palearctic. Vols 4, 5. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Cramp, S. & Simmons, K.E.L. (Eps.). 1977, 1980, 1983. The birds of the western Palearctic. Vols 1-3. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Fry, C.H., Kerry, S. & URBAN, E.K. (Eps.) 1988. The birds of Africa. Vol 3. London: Academic Press. 28 J.S. Ash and Gerhard Nikolaus Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. Niko.aus, G. 1984. Large numbers of birds killed by electric power line. Scopus 8: 42. Niko.aus, G. 1987. Distribution atlas of Sudan’s birds with notes on habitat and status. Bonner zoologische Monographien 25: 1-322. URBAN, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Kertu, S. (Eps.) 1986. The birds of Africa. Vol 2. London: Academic Press. Dr J. S. Ash, Godshill Wood, Fordingbridge, Hants SP6 2LR, England and Gerhard Nikolaus, Bosenbiittel 4, 2859 Spieka, Federal Republic of Germany Scopus 16: 22-28, July 1992 Received 13 February 1992 New publication Kenya Birds is a new twice-a-year A5-sized publication of the ICBP-Kenya section and the National Museums of Kenya’s Ornithological Department. Dated June 1992, volume 1, number 1—a 28-page issue—has just been published. Edited by Leon Bennun, Cecilia Gichuki and John Fanshawe, Kenya Birds “will take a popular look at birds, birding and bird conservation in Kenya. It incorporates and expands on “Avifauna News”, the newsletter of the Department of Ornithology...” The first two issues are being sent to all those who were on the Avifauna News mailing list. Articles, line drawings and photos of birds for publication are welcomed. Send you contributions, or write for information, to The Editors, Kenya Birds, Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Box 40658, Nairobi. Lake Turkana wintering wader surveys 29 Recent surveys of wintering waders at Lake Turkana, Kenya with details of 1989 counts on the northeast shore DJ. Beasan. M.A. C. Coverdale and A. L. Archer Lake Turkana accounts for a substantial proportion of the Palaearctic waders wintering in Kenya (Summers et al. 1987). Its long stretches of rocky or sandy shore support rather low numbers, but its muddy bays and deltas can attract large concentrations. The best known of these, Ferguson’s Gulf, was counted several times in the 1970s and early - 1980s (see, e.g. Fry et al. 1974, Grimmett 1987, Pearson et al. in press). Little Stints Calidris minuta were sometimes present in tens of thousands, and Curlew Sandpipers C. ferruginea and Marsh Sandpipers Tringa stagnatilis in thousands, while coastal species such as Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, Sanderling C. alba and Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii were frequently reported. During the 1980s the El Molo Bay Loiyengalani Z lake fell to its lowest recorded levels. Ferguson’s Gulf dried completely in January 1986 and has not filled again since. Attention has therefore been directed to other parts of the lake where waders had not been counted systematically before. On the western side, surveys in March 1986 and February 1988 cov- ered between them about 40% of the shoreline from the Kerio delta to Todenyang (for details see Pearson et al. in press). Nearly 24000 Palaearctic waders were counted along seven stretches which totalled about 80 km. Long sandy beaches held a scattering of Little Stints (<20 km!) and a few Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula, Greenshanks Tringa nebularia and Common Sandpipers Actitis hypoleucos, but larger gatherings were found around lugga mouths and silty pools. In muddier habitat, over 2000 waders were counted along 7 km near the Keric River mouth, and over 16 000 Figure 1. Lake Turkana showing localities mentioned in the text. Shores counted during surveys between 1986 and 1989 are indicated by bold lines 30 D. J. Pearson, M. A. C. Coverdale and A. L. Archer on recently exposed flats near Todenyang, and these included many Marsh Sandpipers, Curlew Sandpipers and Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus. Extrapolating from densities for different shore habitats (mud/silt, gravel and sand) as estimate of 50 000 Palaearctic waders (70% of them Little Stints) was obtained for the whole western lake shore. In addition, in February 1988, >15 000 waders were seen within Kenya on new mudflats east of Todenyang, at the western end of the north (Omo delta) shore of the lake. On the eastern side, a full count of water birds was made during January—February 1987 from Loiyengalani north to Allia Bay, a distance of 165 km (Shekkerman & van Wetten 1987). The 27 000 waders found were again mainly Little Stints, but included also a remarkable 4500 Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa. The main concentrations were in sheltered muddy sites, Loiengalani and El Molo Bays, Sandy Bay and Allia Bay. In January 1989, we attempted to complement this work with a survey of the northeast shore of the lake. The results of-this exercise are given and discussed below. 1989 counts and discussion Waders were counted along four stretches of the northeast shore, between Banya near the Ethiopian border and Koobi Fora. This represented about 65% of the section marked X-Y in Fig. 1. The lake had risen some 1.5 m during July—August 1988, but by the time of this survey it had receded in most places from the bordering grassland to give a narrow beach. For several kilometres to the north and south of Ileret this was of mud or silt, while a muddy, marshy shore stretched for a few kilometres north from Koobi Fora spit. These areas held good numbers of waders (>200 km). Around Kakoi, however, and to the south of Koobi Fora, the beach was of gravel or sand and wader numbers were low (<50 km’). There were no extensive mudflats. It is possible, though, that a year earlier, when large areas of mud were exposed near Todenyang in the northwest corner of the lake, similar expanses with flocks of waders may have existed north of Ileret. Over 9000 Palaearctic waders were counted in total along some 55 km of shoreline (see Table 1). In addition to the total observed numbers of each species, Table 1 gives estimated totals for the whole section X—Y, about 90 km from the north end of Allia Bay to the border. Figures have been extrapolated bearing in mind the prevalence of various habitat types along the uncounted shores. Little Stint was predominant in all counts, but there were many Curlew Sandpipers at Ileret and Koobi Fora. Only small groups of Black-tailed Godwits were found. A total of 69 Little Ringed Plovers Charadrius dubius was noteworthy, as were the eight Kentish Plovers C. alexandrinus, the first records from the east shore of the lake. The southern part of Allia Bay was also visited, but the lake was higher than in 1987 and there was less mud and more gravel and bordering grassland. The large flocks of Black-tailed Godwits reported by Shekkerman & van Wetten were not found. Lake Turkana wintering wader surveys 31 Table 1. Numbers of Palaearctic waders counted along the northeast shore of Lake Turkana, January 1989 Site/date: lleret— : Banya 25 Jan Shorelength 15 km Habitat narrow muddy edge Little Ringed Plf 11 Ringed Pl 114 Kentish Pl 3 Mongolian Spl Caspian Pl 44 Grey Pl 1 Sanderling Little Stint 1146 Temminck’s S a Curlew S 308 Ruff 50 Common Snipe 1 Bl-t Godwit 34 Curlew Sp Redshank 1 Redshank 2 Marsh S 56 Greenshank 15 Green Sand 1 Wood Sand 20 Common Sand _ 11 Turmstone Avocet* 12 Bl-wing Stilt* 159 S from Ileret 26 Jan 8 km silt & sand lugga mouth IS-8& Rew 40 174 Bay N of Kakoi 26 Jan 7 km silt & sand 92 73 83 15 fscientific names are given in Table 2 *These two species, although included in Tables 1 and 2, are probably mainly of Afrotropical origin Kakoi beach 27 Jan 8 km sand & gravel 265 N from Koobi Fora 27 Jan 7 km mud & marsh veget. 20 18 63 4 115 Koobi Fora & spit 28 Jan 10 km gravel & silty pools Total Estimated obs count 55 km 74 636 count for pay d (Fig. 1) c. 90 km 32 D. J. Pearson, M. A. C. Coverdale and A. L. Archer Table 2. Estimates of wader numbers wintering on the east and west shores of Lake Turkana, based on surveys between March 1986 and January 1989. See Fig. 1 for explanation of the sections eastern shore western shore section X—B section A-B Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 170 310 Ringed Plover C. hiaticula 3180 2360 Kentish Plover C. alexandrinus 10 50 Greater Sandplover C. leschenaultii 10 10 Mongolian Sandplover C. mongolus 10 20 Caspian Plover C. asiaticus 980 2150 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 10 80 Sanderling Calidris alba 10 40 Little Stint C. minuta 29400 36600 Temminck’s Stint C. temminckii 10 70 Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea 3440 2650 Ruff Philomachus pugnax 870 400 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 20 10 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 4790 10 Curlew Numentus arquata 20 20 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 10 10 Redshank T. totanus 10 10 Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis 1340 1100 Greenshank T. nebularia 850 550 Green Sandpiper T. ochropus 20 10 Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 760 280 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1090 600 Turnstone Arenaria interpres 60 10 Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta* 180 250 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus* 2200 750 *These two species, although included in Tables 1 and 2, are probably mainly of Afrotropical origin Other species recorded in these surveys were Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva (1: El Molo Bay, Feb 1987), Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta (1: Sandy Bay Feb 1987), Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus (1: Ferguson’s Gulf spit Mar 1986; 1: Sandy Bay Feb 1987) Recent estimates of overall wader numbers wintering at Lake Turkana have been given by Shekkerman & van Wetten (1987) and by Pearson et al. (in press). However, with counts from 1986-1989 now covering all the potentially productive sections of the Kenya lakeshore, we are able to give figures with more confidence. Estimates for the east and west shores of the lake are compared in Table 2. The east shore figure for each species has been obtained by adding the 1989 figure for the section X—Y to the 1987 Lake Turkana wintering wader surveys 33 count for section Y—Z, then adding an estimate for the small rocky and gravel section Z-—B based on densities for these habitat types given by Shekkerman & van Wetten. West shore figures, derived by extrapolation of the 1986 and 1988 counts, are those given by Pearson et al. (in press). Approximately 50 000 Palaearctic waders would appear to winter on each side of the lake, although this must clearly vary from year to year as some of the main sites of attraction change. In the absence of Ferguson’s Gulf, more marshy habitat now exists on the east shore, and this is reflected in the higher totals of species such as Black-tailed Godwit, Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola and Ruff Philomachus pugnax. It is notewor- thy, though, that nearly all the Temminck’s Stints Calidris temminckii found were ~ around the Kerio delta. Coastal waders occur mainly on the west shore. This is not perhaps surprising since onshore winds and constant wave action tend to produce more truly coastal conditions here. For most species, the combined totals for the west and east shores of Turkana considerably exceed the combined wintering numbers on the more southern Rift Valley lakes of Kenya (see, e.g. Pearson & Stevenson 1980). However, for some marsh waders, Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff and Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, Turkana numbers are rather low, and southern sites such as Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha provide more important Kenyan wintering grounds. No survey of Lake Turkana is complete without the Omo delta. This area, mainly in Ethiopia, undoubtedly contains extensive areas of mudflat and marsh, and probably holds large numbers of waders (Pearson et al. in press). It is to be hoped that its exploration will soon become possible. References Fry, C.H., Britton, P.L. & Horne, J.F.M. 1974. Lake Rudolf and the Palaearctic exodus from East Africa. [bis 116: 44-51. GRIMMETT, R. 1987. A review of the problems affecting Palearctic migratory birds in Africa. ICBP Study Report No. 22. Cambridge: ICBP. Pearson, D.J. & STEVENSON, T. 1980. A survey of wintering Palaearctic waders in the southern part of the Kenyan rift valley. Scopus 4: 59-63. PEARSON, D.J., STEVENSON, T., COVERDALE, M.A.C., SHEKKERMAN, H. & VAN WETTEN, J.C.J. in press. Estimates of Palaearctic wader and duck numbers wintering in the Kenya rift valley. Proceedings of the VII Pan-African Ornithological Congress. SHEKKERMAN, H. & VAN WETTEN, J.C.J. 1987. An ornithological winter survey of Lake Turkana, Kenya. WIWO Report No. 17. Zeist, Netherlands. SUMMERS, R.W., UNDERHILL, L.G., PEARSON, D.J. & Scott, D.A. 1987. Wader migration systems in southern and eastern Africa and western Asia. pp. 15—34 in Davmpson, N.C. & PIENKOWSKI, M.W. (EDs.) The conservation of international flyway populations of waders. Wader Study Group Bulletin 49 (suppl.). Dr D. J. Pearson, Browses, Sibton, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 2JH, England, M. A. C. Coverdale, Box 2978, Nakuru, Kenya and A. L. Archer, Box 41822, Nairobi, Kenya Scopus 16: 29-33, July 1992 Received 14 October 1991 34 Michael Evans and Andrew Balmford Birds in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda Michael Evans and Andrew Balmford Queen Elizabeth National Park (QEP) covers 1978 km/ of the Western Rift Valley of Uganda and forms part of a large network of protected areas, including the vast Parc National des Virunga of Zaire to the west, and the Kigezi, Chambura and Kibale Forest Corridor Game Reserves to the east. At least 545 bird species have been recorded in QEP (Anon. 1971), an exceptionally rich total in African terms (Pomeroy & Lewis 1987), due both to the biogeographical history of the area and to the wide diversity of habitats present, including grassland, woodland, forest, lake, swamp and volcanic- crater hills. Most published work on the birds of QEP has been based on studies of single species or families (e.g., Din & Eltringham 1974, Eltringham 1975), and the only check-lists that exist lack information on species’ status and distribution (e.g., Anon. 1971). As a contribution towards an up-to-date and more detailed description of the Park’s birds, in this paper we summarize our own observations from the Ishasha sector, in the extreme south of QEP. Study area Most data were collected from a 28.6 km? study area near Ishasha camp, with only occasional records from other localities within the Ishasha sector. The study -area was bounded in the north by the Ishasha camp—Katooke track, to the east by the Park’s border with the Kigezi Game Reserve, in the south by the 9928 UTM grid line (1:50 000 East African Series map, Department of Lands and Surveys 1965), and in the west by the Ishasha River, the international boundary with Zaire. The area rises gently from 940 m at the Ishasha River in the west to 1060 m along the Park—Game Reserve boundary in the east. APB was based.in the area from 25 March 1987 to 1 March 1989, carrying out research on lekking in Uganda Kob Kobus kob thomasi (Balmford 1990). MIE was present as an assistant on this project between 4 December 1988 and 1 March 1989. The research programme left very little spare time for systematic birdwatching; however, the very long hours in the field did allow numerous opportunistic observa- tions to be made. The climate at Ishasha is equatorial, with negligible fluctuations in day-length through the year and sunrise and sunset at around 07:00 hrs and 19:00 hrs respectively. Monthly mean temperatures vary between 22°C and 25°C, with maxima of 27°C to 30°C and minima of 18°C to 20°C. Annual rainfall averages 860 mm (Uganda National Parks Records 1968-1974). There are two dry seasons (December—February; June— July) and two wet seasons (March—May; August-November) per year although seasonality is less pronounced than in many African savannah ecosystems, with rain falling in nearly every month, and considerable differences between years in the timing of wet and dry seasons. All grassland at Ishasha is regularly burnt, and during the present study extensive dry season fires occurred on 30 December 1987-3 January 1988, 25 June—11 July 1988 and 21-26 January 1989. As a result of this burning regime, most of the vegetation at Ishasha belongs to fire climax communities (Lock 1977). The study area can be divided into the following avian habitats (see Lock (1977) and Birds in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park 35 Balmford (1990) for further details): Riparian forest (community 48 of Lock 1977): this runs in a narrow strip along the Ishasha River; dominant trees include Pterygota, Pseudospondias and Treculia. There are also patches of successional vegetation along the banks and in oxbows. Riverine bushland (community 40 of Lock 1977): this occurs as the ecotone between the riparian forest and open grassland. It forms a narrow belt of variably dense bushland and low woodland, with clumps of Euclea sp., Diospyros abyssinica and Tarenna graveolens. Open grassland (including communities 1, 4 and 35 of Lock 1977): this is the most extensive habitat in the study area and consists of medium to tall fire climax communities, mostly treeless and dominated by the grasses Sporobolus pyramidalis, Hyparrhenia filipendula and Heteropogon contortus. Low-lying areas become season- ally water-logged. Open woodland (community 32 of Lock 1977): this occurs mainly on higher ground in the east of the study area, and is dominated by Acacia sieberiana, with scattered Ficus sycomorus gnaphalocarpa and Albizia coriaria. Its extent has increased substan- tially in recent years. Seasonal swamp (including communities 18 and 21 of Lock 1977): this is dominated by Cyperaceae, with Pistia stratiotes and Cynodon dactylon. We recorded a total of 220 bird species in Ishasha sector, with two additional species found just outside the Park boundary in the Kigezi Game Reserve. A full species list is given in the Appendix, together with our records of habitat usage by each species. Comments on selected species Details are given here of any observations which appear to add to or alter species’ status as described in Britton (1980) and Birds of Africa, as well as of any uncommon or little-recorded East African species and evidence of breeding by any species. Species’ order and nomenclature follow Britton (1980). Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii In 1988, singles on 10, 17 and 21 May; two on 4 Sep. Uncommon in East Africa, these possibly being non-breeders from southern Africa (see Britton 1980). Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus One carrying nest material by Ishasha River on 21 Jun 1987. Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia Two records of this widespread but seldom numerous species (Britton 1980), on 15 Jul 1987 and 17 Aug 1987. Shoebill Balaeniceps rex One at the edge of a 10-20 ha seasonal swamp, the largest in the study area, on 15 Feb 1989. A threatened species (“Of Special Concern” (Collar & Stuart 1985)); the nearest record listed by Collar & Stuart is at “Lake Edward north of Rwenshama village”. 36 Michael Evans and Andrew Balmford Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii 2 Aug 1988, an unusually early date (Brown et al. 1982). White Stork Ciconia ciconia A flock of c. 150 migrated northwards through the reserve on 20 Apr 1988. During Dec 1988—Mar 1989 not recorded until after the burn of 21-26 Jan, when there were five records of small groups (1-4 birds) feeding on well- burnt grassland between 22 Jan and 4 Feb at c. 950 m; wintering birds are found mainly above 1600 m (Britton 1980). Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Uncommon and local in Uganda (Britton 1980). Small numbers were usually present in the study area for 1-2 months after burns. For instance, in 1988 it was recorded in Feb, Mar, Apr and Aug; in 1989 there were five records of single birds (possibly all the same individual), 8 Jan—1 Mar. Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Juveniles in study area 15 Mar, 9 Aug and 28 Oct 1988; noticeably smaller than adults, and presumably from local nests (adults seen infrequently, usually singly, throughout our stay). Marabou Leptoptilos crumeniferus Up to 10 overhead on most days; larger concentra- tions included 25 at a kob carcass on 15 Dec 1988, and a dense group of 38 feeding in an unburnt patch of long grass surrounded by burnt areas on 4 Feb 1989. Hadada Bostrychia hagedash Copulation observed in May 1988. Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis Single adults (possibly all the same individual) recorded on five dates between 15 May 1988 and 1 Mar 1989. On 15 Dec, one descended low to investigate a group of vultures at a carcass but did not join them. One on 4 Jan was in primary moult. The potential foodplants Raphia fenefera and Phoenix reclinata are present locally (the former in the nearby Kigezi Game Reserve). African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus The commonest and most frequently seen vulture. The maximum counted above any particular kill was 100; maxima at carcasses on the ground were 45 (hippo) and 35 (kob). Ruppell’s Vulture Gyps rueppellii Only nine records during the period 4 Dec 1988 to 1 Mar 1989, mostly of single birds. Hooded Vulture Neophron monachus The maximum of two birds (adults) seen at any one time during 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989 suggested that only one pair frequented the study area. Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus Frequent sightings 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989 suggested that an adult pair frequented the study area, accompanied by a juvenile/ immature (at least up to 17 Dec). On 29 Jan the adult pair were flying together with another adult pair, but no interaction was seen. White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis Never more than five together in the study area; frequent sightings during Dec 1988 to Mar 1989 suggested that these comprised an adult pair, two immatures and a juvenile. Four feeding on the carcass of ac. 10-kg juvenile kob on 25 Jan 1989 was possible evidence of predation. European Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Recognition of individuals was possi- ble, and suggested that at least four to six individuals occurred in the study area between 4 Dec 1988 and 1 Mar 1989, with at least three known to have been resident throughout the period. Birds in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park 2) Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Although not mapped as occurring in SW Uganda (Brown et al. 1982), there were four records between 24 Jan and 1 Mar 1989 (three males, one ‘ringtail’). Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus In 1989 24 seen between 27 Jan and 1 Mar (ignoring the possibility of duplication, which seemed low given the wide variety of plumages noted); the majority occurred in Feb (18) and nearly all were males (20 adult, two immature). At least seven of the 24 were flying directly northwards and appeared to be migrating (purposeful flight in other directions was not observed); Brown et al. (1982) state that migration in Africa begins in late Mar. _ Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus During 4 Dec 1988 to 1 Mar 1989 only recorded three times (up to three birds), suggesting a low population density. Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus pectoralis From 4 Dec 1988 to 1 Mar 1989 an adult pair was seen regularly in the study area, usually flying and hunting together and often displaying with much calling, diving at each other and making as if to talon-grapple. A juvenile was seen in the area on 30 Jan and 3 Feb, once alone and once with an aduit perched nearby (the juvenile had a 60-cm long snake). On plumage, the juvenile appeared to be quite old, and would seem to have been virtually independent; the adults’ behaviour suggested the beginning of a new breeding cycle. Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus During 4 Dec 1988 to 1 Mar 1989 an adult pair, a 5— 6-year-old immature (aged on plumage) and a juvenile frequented the study area. On 18 Dec the resident adult male flew parallel with an intruding adult male and gave a single, striking call; no other territorial interactions were seen during the period. Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax There are no breeding records from this region (Area B of Brown & Britton 1980), but a pair frequented the study area between 4 Dec 1988 and 1 Mar 1989, and were seen displaying on 8 Feb 1989 (‘pot-hooks’ by male, with female swooping around above him, and one or both calling a lot). The pair may have gone on to breed. Mapped as absent from SW Uganda (Brown et al. 1982). Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi A pair seen regularly in the study area between early Sep 1988 and 1 Mar 1989. They frequently performed aerial displays in Sep and Oct; the male (of the uncommon (Britton 1980) pale morph) also did a linear ‘pot- hook’ display on 23 Jan and a circular ‘roller-coaster’ display on 25 Jan. At dusk they were usually seen near the riverine forest, where they probably roosted and nested. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Between 4 Dec 1988 and 1 Mar 1989 the only records were of two single birds during the burn of 21-26 Jan; widespread in small numbers in winter in East Africa (Britton 1980). Gabar Goshawk Melierax gabar During 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989 four or five different adults were seen in the study area, of which one was a black morph. Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus A large fledgling bird of prey, thought to be this species, was recorded on 16 Nov 1987 and a pair definitely bred in May 1988. A nest was found in a large Albizia coraria tree on 2 Nov 1988, apparently in use as there was quite a lot of droppings around, although no chicks present; another nest in a large A. coriaria tree c. 1.5 km to the NE had been used in 1982 and 1986 (P. Moller pers. comm.). During 4 Dec 1988—1 Mar 1989 an adult pair and an immature were present in the study area. Adults with freshly killed hares Lepus crawshayi were noted on 19 Mar 1988 and 9 Aug 1988. The immature harried a hare at dusk on 8 Jan 1989, making three 38 Michael Evans and Andrew Balmford unsuccessful pounces, and returned to perch overlooking the same area at dusk the following day, presumably with the intention of repeating its efforts, since it was never otherwise seen to roost at this site. It was not rewarded, however. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus A pair nested during 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989, successfully fledging at least one chick (fledged juvenile first seen 26 Feb; various behavioural observations on the pair suggest that the first egg was probably laid in the second half of Dec). During incubation and rearing the adult(s) usually ranged over an 8-km? area of virtually treeless grassland plain, and were often seen hover- hunting for Nile Rats Arvicanthis niloticus, which were common. Food-carrying and raptor-mobbing behaviour showed the nest to be located at the ecotone between Acacia woodland and open grassland, although it was not looked for or found. | Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus A pair of this uncommon species (Britton 1980) lived unobtrusively near camp, frequenting riverine bushland adjacent to the riparian forest, and once seen perched on top of a dead tree in the forest itself. African Hobby Falco cuvieri One in riparian forest on 2 Nov 1988 was the only record; widespread in small numbers in East Africa (Britton 1980). Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Two records in the study area: an adult flying north on 31 Jan 1989, pausing occasionally to perch in Acacia trees, thought to be F. p. calidus because of its apparent large size and its notably grey-tinged upperparts. An immature or juvenile flew east on 9 Feb 1989. There are no precipitous sites in the immediate vicinity suitable for nesting. Hobby Falco subbuteo Individuals seen on 8 Dec 1988 and 4 Jan 1989; winterers are unusual this far north (Britton 1980, Brown et al. 1982) and these birds did not linger in the area. Red-necked Spurfowl Francolinus afer Pairs with ‘broods’ of 1-3 young seen frequently in Dec 1988, Jan and, Feb 1989. Red-winged Francolin Francolinus levaillantii This species is especially plentiful in neighbouring Ankole district (Britton 1980), but the only record was of a pair near the Katooke gate in open Acacia woodland at c. 1000 m on 23 Jan 1989. Black-rumped Button Quail Turnix hottentota Ten button quails were seen from 4 Dec 1988 until the burn of 21—26 Jan 1989, 13 during the burn and only two after it (both in unburned patches of grass), up to 1 Mar 1989. During the burn buttonquails were noticeably concentrated in front of advancing firefronts. It would appear that burning caused most of the population to leave the area. At least ten of the 25 button quails recorded had black rumps and it is thought that most or all of the others were also of this species, since they were virtually all recorded in the same habitat, seasonally water-logged open grassland. A button quail with two very small chicks was seen on 22 Jan 1989 in this habitat (implying a laying date of a few days either side of 1 Jan), and is assumed to have been T. hottentota. At c. 950 m, lower than the 1200 m altitude minimum given in Britton (1980). Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina Pairs with dependent juveniles were seen on 28 Sep 1987 and 4 Apr 1988. African Crake Crex egregia A generally uncommon species whose temporal patterns of occurrence, especially in equatorial regions, remain a mystery (Britton 1980). It was recorded in at least Aug and Sep 1987, and between 5 Dec 1988 and 3 Feb 1989; during Birds in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park 39 this latter period it was seen on most days up to the burn of 21—26 Jan 1989 but disappeared soon after, with at least 15 sightings before, one during and four after the burn (when always found in islands of unburnt grass). It was not seen at all between 3 Feb and 1 Mar 1989. Thus the disappearance of the species from the study area was strongly correlated with the burn, no doubt due to the destruction of its grassland habitat. Black-bellied Bustard Eupodotis melanogaster A solitary male was displaying on a termite mound on 20 Nov 1987 and two males were displaying on 16 Aug 1988, one chasing a female. No breeding behaviour was observed in the period 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989, during which it was observed on at least 18 of 33 days in the field before the burn (>55%), but on only four out of 27 days after it (15%), usually in islands of unburnt grass. African Jacana Actophilornis africanus An adult with two very small chicks on 8 Dec 1988; on 4 Feb 1989 the chicks, now well-grown juveniles, were still accompanied by the adult. Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus During 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989 the species first appeared during the burn of 21—26 Jan, and was still present in similar numbers (15-30 per day) at the end of the period (in 1987 the study area’s population had left by 25 Mar). In between, however, numbers dramatically increased on 9 Feb (76 seen), after rain earlier that day (the first rain since four weeks before the burn), then decreased to previous levels within a few days, suggesting a large but temporary influx to take advantage of an ephemeral flush of invertebrates. Crowned Plover Vanellus coronatus During the period 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989, first appeared the day before the burn of 21—26 Jan, with numbers peaking at 26 during the burn; thereafter recorded in pairs and small groups (up to 8 per day) until the end of the period. Long-toed Plover Vanellus crassirostris Recorded at least from 9 Jul to 17 Aug 1987 in seasonal swamp, and also on 8 Aug 1988; not noted there in the dry period 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989. Senegal Plover Vanellus lugubris Present around the time of burns, e.g. in Jul 1988; returned on 20 Dec 1988 and present up to the end of our stay, with a temporary increase in numbers during the burn of 21—26 Jan 1989. Brown-chested Wattled Plover Vanellus superciliosus Recorded in small numbers after the burn of Jul 1988. Great Snipe Gallinago media During the period 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989 the only record of this declining Palaearctic migrant (Britton 1980, Cramp & Simmons 1983) was of two on 11 Dec near a seasonal swamp in water-logged grassland, which was rapidly drying out as the dry season progressed. Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus An apparent pair flew over our camp (300 m from the Ishasha River) calling every morning before sunrise (usually 05:45— 06:15 hrs, but as early as 04:15 hrs) and every evening after sunset (usually 19:20— 20:15 hrs, but calling as early as 17:55 hrs). The pair generally flew over together at c. 15 m height in a straight line, gliding while whistling a long, descending, trilling series kc high, shrill notes, wailing and mournful. Urban et al. (1986) do not describe this haviour. 40 Michael Evans and Andrew Balmford Temminck’s Courser Cursorius temminckii There is only a single breeding record for the region (Area B of Brown & Britton 1980), in Aug. However, the species arrived and was common immediately after the burns of Jan 1988 and 1989, apparently already paired, and much territorial display-flighting noted at least in Jan—Feb 1989: each flight lasts 1-3 min, bird flying at c. 20 m height in a large circuit over its (presumed) nesting territory, calling every 2—5 s, a short, grating but slightly piping note, before descending in a shallow glide to land near take-off point. Flighting ceases c. 4 h either side of noon, probably peaking 07:00—08:00 hrs and 18:00—19:00 hrs; also once recorded at 00:30 hrs (half-moon). Common Pratincole Glareola pratincola Several hundred were present in open grassland between Jun and Aug in both years. Breeding was confirmed on 5 Jun 1987, when eggs were noted on the open ground of a kob lek, where chicks were then recorded on 20 Jun. One to two birds occasionally visited this lek between Dec 1988 and early Feb 1989, this pattern being unaffected by the burn of 21—26 Jan. However, on 9 Feb 100 visited the lek after rain earlier that day, the first rain for six weeks. Up until 1 Mar no further visits to the lek were noted, although a flock of 50 was at a nearby seasonal swamp on 26 Feb. White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Up to 15 were seen per day, feeding over green grassland, during the virtually rainless period from 4 Dec 1988 until 7 Jan 1989. Thereafter, significant areas of grass were beginning to turn brown and there were no further records until our departure on 1 Mar 1989. Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos There was at least one sighting: one at camp on 26 Dec 1988. Although Britton (1980) recorded it only from the drier areas of Teso and Karamoja in Uganda, the species is in the Park’s check-list (Anon. 1971) and is mapped in SW Uganda by Urban et al. (1986), and also occurs in Lake Mburo National Park (D. Pomeroy, pers. comm.). Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius A juvenile on 2 Nov 1988 hopping along a road and possibly the same juvenile on 15 Dec 1988, 2 km from the first site. These records are unexpected since in Uganda the species has not been recorded south of the equator, occurring mainly in the north (breeding in Mar—May but present throughout the year) (Britton 1980). This is also the first record of the species from the Park (see Anon. 1971). African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis First recorded on 30 Jan 1989 when one was heard calling from Acacia woodland (MIE was familiar with the call from Malawi), and thereafter this individual was heard daily from the same site up until the last visit there, on 24 Feb. From 31 Jan until 1 Mar 1989 unidentified individuals of C. canorus/C. gularis were seen frequently in the same area of Acacia woodland, with up to 19 bird- sightings per day. None of the birds seen was heard to call, as observations were made from a moving car. However, as the beginning of calling and start of sightings were only a day apart it is possible that some or all of the birds seen were also C. gularis. This species is generally uncommon in East Africa with no documented breeding, and has previously been recorded in Uganda only between Mar and Nov (Britton 1980). Black Coucal Centropus grillii A pair in open grassland were observed infrequently between 10 Dec 1988 and 3 Jan 1989. They were very easy to overlook, using Capparis bushes, /ndigofera thickets and small Cyperus swamps for cover. A lone, fully-fledged juvenile on this pair’s territory on 20 Jan suggested successful breeding; the lack of Birds in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park 41 further records up until our departure on 1 Mar suggested that the burn of 21-26 Jan caused the local population to leave the area. White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus During the period 4 Dec 1988 to 1 Mar 1989, commonly seen in open grassland (on the same ground as C. grillii) before the burn of 21—26 Jan, but with no records thereafter in this habitat. It continued to be seen in other habitats less affected by fire such as riverine bushland. White-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis There was a decrease in numbers during the study period, thought to be due to the drying out and eventual burning of the species’ habitat, open grassland. Dawn counts of singing birds at a site were 20 on 11 ~ Dec 1988, ten on 7 Jan 1989 and two on 7 Feb 1989. The birds sang strongly at dusk and dawn, but not much or at all during the night; length of birds’ song period averaged 45.0 min (n = 2) at dusk arfd 77.5 min (n = 2) at dawn. Pennant-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx vexillarius In 1987 first recorded on 15 Jul, with a large influx on 3 Aug, and large numbers noted thereafter until at least 15 Aug, when very many males were watched taking off at dusk. In 1988 first noted on 8 Aug. Eurasian Swift Apus apus The only record was of a flock of 20 flying low after rain on 9 Feb 1989; possibly early spring migrants (see Britton 1980). Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta A pair feeding nestlings between 2 and 14 Feb 1989 at least; nestling food included a small grasshopper. The nesthole was in a sheer, south- facing earth bank of the Ishasha River, 1.5 m above the water and under a rooty overhang. Eurasian Bee-eater Merops apiaster There were only two records of this local winterer (Britton 1980), 20 on 9 Dec 1988 and six on 10 Feb 1989. Both flocks were being pushed ahead of a storm front. Eurasian Roller Coracias garrulus Although the species usually winters in drier areas of East Africa (Britton 1980), there were records of two birds on 16 Nov 1987 and of single birds on 3-4 Dec 1988, 8 and 11 Feb 1989. Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus One seen well in riverine forest on 7 Feb 1989 was the only record of this rather uncommon bird which is absent from some parts of SW Uganda (Britton 1980). Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea During 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989 only recorded on 2-3 Feb, on plains burnt on 21—26 Jan; song was heard on 3 Feb. Typically found higher than 1200 m in East Africa (Britton 1980) thus quite low at c. 950 m. Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana Frequently recorded at c. 950 m in the study site; seldom found below 1200 m in East Africa (Britton 1980). Banded Martin Riparia cincta During the period 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989, this was the only hirundine to show a major reduction in numbers after the burn of 21—26 Jan 1989. Although recorded on at least 19 out of 33 days (>58%) in the field before the burn (up to 37 birds per day), it was only seen on 2 out of 27 days (7%) in the field after the burn (up to 3 a day) and on these occasions was found at unburnt islands of grass. Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra Frequently seen in the study area, at c. 950 m; Britton (1980) gives the lower altitude limit as 1200 m. Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina The only record was of one on 27 Jan 1989, immediately after the Jan burn. It was very aggressive towards a Northern Wheatear 42 Michael Evans and Andrew Balmford whose winter territory it was on. Occurrence is only very occasional in S and W Uganda (Britton 1980). Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe A male held a winter territory on a kob lek throughout the period 9 Dec 1988-26 Feb 1989 at least. No other individuals were noted in Dec and Jan, but there were eight between 7 and 26 Feb, presumably north- bound migrants. The species is uncommon in SW Uganda (Britton 1980). Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka Two females on 15 Feb 1989 were the only record; a scarce species in western Uganda (Britton 1980). White-chinned Prinia Prinia leucopogon A pair at 940 m in bushes by the Ishasha River on 26 Feb 1989; Britton (1980) gives 1100 m as the lower altitude limit. | Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Although generally scarce in Uganda (Britton 1980), birds were recorded in the study area on nine occasions between 30 Dec 1988 and 10 Feb 1989. Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys Although present in short grass along road verges before the burn of 21-26 Jan 1989, the species was more common and widespread after the burn, with pairs and much song-flighting in Feb. Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae During the period 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989, this species was not recorded until a few hours before the study area started to burn, with a single bird arriving at dusk on 20 Jan 1989. Birds were then seen frequently during the burn, and thereafter until our departure. They were always seen on burnt areas, with territorial fighting and much song-flighting observed. This and the previous species occurred on the same ground. Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus One carrying nest material in Oct 1987. A pair with a fledgling on 2 Jan 1989, implying a laying date in Nov/Dec. Black-headed Gonolek Laniarius barbarus A pair with a fledgling on 5 Feb 1989; on 14 Feb it was still dependent. Grey-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitorius An active nest on 11 Oct 1988. Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea A flock of 20-30 with some males with fully- developed wattles on 18 May 1988; the occurrence of such birds in East Africa is extremely irregular (Britton 1980). Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris A pair with at least three recently fledged juveniles on 22 Jan 1989; the family were still together on 14 Feb. Olive-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia chloropygia A pair with three recently fledged juveniles on 26 Jan 1989. Food-plant: Maerua sp.. Copper Sunbird Nectarinia cuprea A male with a recently fledged juvenile on 26 Jan 1989. Scarlet-chested Sunbird Nectarinia senegalensis Female food-carrying 4-5 Dec 1988. Food-plant: Leonotis nepetifolia. Green-headed Sunbird Nectarinia verticalis Birds, including a pair, seen on four occasions between 22 Jan and 14 Feb 1989 at 940 m in riverine forest. Britton (1980) gives the lower altitudinal limit as 1200 m. White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus During 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989 only observed in non-breeding flocks of five to 200 birds, with almost 50% of flocks Birds in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park 43 numbering 30—40. In Dec and Jan males were moulting into breeding plumage; the first males in full breeding plumage were seen on 11 Feb. [Red-naped Widowbird Euplectes ardens We did not note this species in the Park, although it is quite common in the area (D. Pomeroy, pers. comm.).] Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris Noted in the Park on 23 Sep 1988, but not present during the period 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989 (although it was in the Game Reserve). Black-winged Red Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus There were three records: a male on 28 Jan 1989 in the south of the sector, two males near Ishasha camp on 2 Feb 1989 and a male with two females near Ishasha camp on 12 Feb 1989. All males were in breeding plumage. Although previously recorded from the Park (Anon. 1971), Britton (1980) indicated that the species was not found south of Toro district in Uganda, thus the above records extend the species’s known range into Rukungiri district. Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius During 4 Dec 1988-1 Mar 1989 it was recorded on only three occasions (in Feb and Mar), including seven males at camp in a mixed- species weaver colony of Black-headed P. cucullatus and Viellot’s Black Weavers P. nigerrimus. Britton (1980) implied that the species had not been recorded from Rukungiri district. Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis Both this species and P. ocularis occurred together in riparian forest; Britton (1980) noted only one locality (coastal Kenya) where these two mostly allopatric members of a super-species occur together, although they also occur together at Mubende (D. Pomeroy, pers. comm.). P. nigricollis was observed foraging in secondary riverside bushes and an Acacia tree, whilst P. ocularis was noted within dense riverside bushes and in the forest canopy. Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops A male, moulting into or out of breeding plumage, on 7 Feb 1989 near Ishasha camp. Very local throughout East Africa (Britton 1980). Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Males’ tail-streamers almost fully grown on 26 Feb 1989. Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola Recorded at 940 m, slightly lower than the 1000 m minimum in Britton (1980). Red-headed Bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla There were two records: a juvenile male feeding on grass seeds, apparently independent but still with a trace of a gape flange, in riparian forest on 14 Feb 1989; and an adult male feeding on seeds of riverside herbs on 25 Feb 1989. Widespread in forests in Uganda (Britton 1980) but records from riparian forest localities are not mentioned. Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting Emberiza tahapisi The only record was of three on 2 Feb 1989 in riverine thicket, apparently atypical habitat as there were no rocky areas in the whole study area (see Britton 1980). Acknowledgments We wish to thank the National Research Council of Uganda and the Boards of Trustees of Uganda National Parks and the Uganda Institute of Ecology for permission to live 44 Michael Evans and Andrew Balmford and work at Ishasha. Sarah Blakeman, Peter Moller and Moses Turyaho helped with bird observations. Fieldwork was funded by a NERC Overseas Studentship to APB, and by grants from Clare College, the Department of Zoology and the Board of Graduate Studies, Cambridge University; Sigma Xi; the Percy Sladen Memorial Fund; the Company of Biologists; and the H.E. Durham Fund. We are grateful to Dr Derek Pomeroy for his comments on a draft. This paper was written while APB was supported by a Research Fellowship at Girton College, Cambridge. References Anonymous 1971. A check-list of birds known to occur in the Uganda National Parks. In — Uganda National Parks Handbook, 5th edition. Pp. 140-149. Kampala: Longman Uganda. BALMFORD, A.P. 1990. Lekking in kob. PhD thesis, Zoology Department, Cambridge Univer- sity, UK. BritTron, P.L. (ED.) 1980. Birds of East Africa, their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. Brown, L.H. & Britron, P.L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds. Nairobi: EANHS. Brown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEwMan, K. 1982. The birds of Africa. Vol. 1. London: Academic Press. CoLiarR, N.J. & STuART, S.N. 1985. Threatened birds of Africa and related islands. Cam- bridge: ICBP & IUCN. Cramp, S. & SIMMONS, K.E.L. (EDs) 1983. The birds of the western Palearctic. Vol. 3. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Din, N.A. & ELTRINGHAM, S.K. 1974. Ecological separation between white and pink-backed pelicans in the Rwenzori National Park, Uganda. /bis 116: 28-43. ELTRINGHAM, S.K. 1975. Territory size and distribution in the African fish eagle. Journal of Zoology, London 175: 1-13. Fry, C.H., Kerry, S. & URBAN, E.K. 1988. The birds of Africa. Vol. 3. London: Academic Press. Lock, J.M. 1977. The vegetation of Rwenzori National Park, Uganda. Botanische Jahrbucher fiir Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 98: 372-448. Pomeroy, D. & Lewis, A. 1987. Bird species richness in tropical Africa: some comparisons. Biological Conservation 40: 28-43. UrBaNn, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Kertu, S. 1986. The birds of Africa. Vol. 2. London: Academic Press. M. I. Evans, Uganda Institute of Ecology, Box 3520, Kampala, Uganda. (present address: International Council for Bird Preservation, 32 Cambridge Road, Girton, Cambridge CB3 OPJ, England) and Dr A .P. Balmford, Large Animal Research Group, Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, England Scopus 16: 34—49, July 1992 Received 4 September 1991 Birds in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park 45 Appendix Checklist of birds observed by the authors in Ishasha sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park, showing habitat usage Key R__ Riparian forest, Ishasha River and associated successional vegetation B_ Riverine bushland G Open grassland W Open Acacia woodland S Seasonal swamp A_ Species only seen flying over, or habitually aerial C Camp buildings/Commensal (See ‘Study area’, pp. 34-35 for more details on habitats.) RB Ge 2Wir es Sut As iC White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus + Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens Dwarf Bittern /xobrychus sturmii Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Goliath Heron Ardea goliath + Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala + Purple Heron Ardea purpurea + Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis + + + Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus + + Little Egret Egretta garzetta + Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia + Shoebill Balaeniceps rex + Hamerkop Scopus umbretta + + Open-billed Stork Anastomus lamelligerus + Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii + White Stork Ciconia ciconia + Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus “ + Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis + Marabou Leptoptilos crumeniferus + + + Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis Hadada Bostrychia hagedash + Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopica White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhynchos Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata Southern Pochard Aythya erythophthalma Spur-winged Goose Plectopterus gambensis Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis + African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Riippell’s Vulture Gyps rueppellii Hooded Vulture Neophron monachus Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus + +++ + + + t+++e¢¢¢ ++ +++ ++ tt ++ +++ 46 Michael Evans and Andrew Balmford White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis European Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus Harrier Hawk Polyboroides radiatus Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis Gabar Goshawk Melierax gabar Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus Fish Eagle Haliaetus vocifer Black Kite Milvus migrans Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Osprey Pandion haliaetus Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus African Hobby Falco cuvieri Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Hobby Falco subbuteo Red-necked Spurfowl Francolinus afer Red-winged Francolin Francolinus levaillantii Crested Guineafowl Guttera edouardi Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris Black-rumped Button Quaii Turnix hottentota Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina African Crake Crex egregia Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Black Crake Limnocorax flavirostra Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata Black-bellied Bustard Eupodotis melanogaster Jacana Actophilornis africanus Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus Kittlitz’s Plover Charadrius pecuarius Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris Crowned Plover Vanellus coronatus Long-toed Plover Vanellus crassirostris Senegal Plover Vanellus lugubris Wattled Plover Vanellus senegallus Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus Brown-chested Wattled Plover Vanellus superciliosus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Greenshank Tringa nebularia Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Great Snipe Gallinago media Little Stint Calidris minuta Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Water Thicknee Burhinus vermiculatus Temminck’s Courser Cursorius temminckii R ++ B Q) +++ ++++4+ + + + + ++ +++ +4 ++ +++ ++ +++ ++ + + Birds in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park Common Pratincole Glareola pratincola White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria Green Pigeon Treron australis Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullaria -Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata Ross’s Turaco Musophaga rossae Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus Levaillant’s Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus Black Coucal Centropus grillii White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus Verreaux’s Eagle Owl Bubo lacteus Gabon Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii White-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis Pennant-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx vexillarius Eurasian Swift Apus apus White-rumped Swift Apus caffer Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis Pygmy Kingfisher /spidina picta White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis Eurasian Bee-eater Merops apiaster Black Bee-eater Merops gularis Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus Eurasian Roller Coracias garrulus Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus Black & White Casqued Hornbill Bycanistes subcylindricus Crowned Hombill Tockus alboterminatus Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens Grey Woodpecker Mesopicos goertae Bearded Woodpecker Thripias namaquus Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea R +++¢¢+ +++ + B G, W + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + a5 + + + + + + + + =P + S + + A € 48 Michael Evans and Andrew Balmford Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica Eurasian Swallow Hirundo rustica Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii White-headed Roughwing Psalidoprocne albiceps Banded Martin Riparia cincta Sand Martin Riparia riparia Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis Pied Crow Corvus albus Black-lored Babbler Turdoides melanops Yellow-throated Leaflove Chlorocichla flavicollis Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys White-browed Robin Chat Cossypha heuglini Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka Whinchat Saxicola rubetra African Thrush Turdus pelios Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis Trilling Cisticola Cisticola woosnami Grey-capped Warbler Eminia lepida Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus White-chinned Prinia Prinia leucopogon Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Green Crombec Sylvietta virens Dusky Blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata Black and White Flycatcher Bias musicus Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys Richard’s Pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Black-headed Gonolek Laniarius barbarus Brown-headed Tchagra Tchagra australis Black-headed Tchagra Tchagra senegala Grey-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitorius Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea Riippell’s Long-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis purpuropterus Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris Olive-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia chloropygia R + ++t+4+4+ + B +++4++ +++ ++ +44 > ++teteet Birds in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park 49 RuwBy eGoaWeiltSig At i€ Copper Sunbird Nectarinia cuprea + + Red-chested Sunbird Nectarinia erythroceria “ Green-throated Sunbird Nectarinia rubescens + Scarlet-chested Sunbird Nectarinia senegalensis + “ Superb Sunbird Nectarinia superba + Green-headed Sunbird Nectarinia verticalis + Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis + White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus + + + Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris + Black-winged Red Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus + Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix + Black-headed Weaver Ploceus cucullatus + Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius + Viellot’s Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus + + Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis + Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis - Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops + Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea + Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus - Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura + Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola + African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata + Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala + + Red-headed Bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla + Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata + + Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris + Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting Emberiza tahapisi + Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus + Total number of species per habitat 75 1665-78 59) 44° *32> 7 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis and Red-naped Widowbird Euplectes ardens were also recorded but only in the adjacent Kigezi Game Reserve. 50 Charles Mlingwa Birds of the main university campus in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a ringing study Charles Mlingwa Many of Tanzania’s bird records are based on early collecting expeditions and very few areas of the country can be considered well known omithologically. However, although several authors have called attention to the conservation problems caused by the increasing human populations and effects on natural forests in Tanzania (Howell 1981, Rodgers & Homewood 1982, Stuart 1983) and elsewhere (e.g., see Brown 1981), there appear to be few studies of birds of small disturbed patches of habitat, such as thickets, in Africa. Tyler (1979) and Negere (1980) studied respectively the values of suburban patches and the religious “shrines” to birds of Ethiopia, Harvey & Howell (1987) have produced a list for the Dar es Salaam area. As Tanzania becomes more densely populated and as man’s activities continue to reduce the already highly fragmented natural vegetation, it is important to have an assessment of the effect of these ecological changes on bird populations. Elsewhere, small patches of even highly disturbed vegetation in densely populated urban areas have been shown to serve as refuges for birds; urban cemetries are among the best examples of these (Lussenhop 1978). In Tanzania, in the past, traditional cultural values and practices favoured leaving small isolated patches of forests relatively untouched as “shrines” or graveyards (pers. obs.). Similarly, small patches of thicket, albeit disturbed, are still present even in suburban environments in many parts of Africa. The report on birds ringed at the University of Dar es Salaam main campus is an attempt to assess the utilization of disturbed vegetation by birds. Methods Study area The University of Dar es Salaam main campus (6°46S, 39°12E), an area of about 500 ha, is situated 10 km WNW of Dar city centre, and ranges in altitude from 40 to 100 m above sea level. Wingfield (1977) has described the ecology of the campus in detail. He notes that, although the natural vegetation of the campus was once forest, most of this has disappeared due to clearance for agriculture and building. Much of the natural vegetation in the form of large trees and dense thicket remained until 1975. To date, due to an increase in buildings and agriculture, the little natural vegetation remaining and dense secondary growth are found only along very few stream valleys where some birds normally found in coastal thicket can occur. Study methods The bird ringing study covers the period July to September 1986, March—April 1987, April 1988, January—December 1989 and May 1990. Birds were caught in mist nets, ringed and released. Because of a shortage of mist nets and numbered EANHS metal rings, a maximum of five 10-m nets have been used, and in 1986 some birds were ringed with coloured rings. Nets were opened from 06:00 to 19:00 hrs and a net check was made every hour. A ringing study of birds in Dar es Salaam 51 Results A total of 622 birds of 77 species has been ringed at the campus. Eight are Palaearctic migrants, and 69 are East African residents of which 26 are forest or forest-edge species. Table 1. List of species ringed. Symbols show the species not recorded by Harvey & Howell (1987) for the Dar es Salaam area (*) and or the University campus (Tf) Species number ringed Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata + Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos Green Pigeon Treron australis Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius Klaas’ Cuckoo C. klaas + Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus + Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris Striped Kingfisher H. chelicuti Mangrove Kingfisher H. senegaloides Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus *+ Brown-breasted Barbet Lybius melanopterus Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus d’Arnaud’s Barbet Trachyphonus darnaudii *+ Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor *+ Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica Eurasian Swallow H. rustica African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus Golden Oriole O. oriolus + Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii Rufous Chatterer T. rubiginosus Black Cuckoo Shrike Campephaga flava —" — —y NOR RNNNN KKK NODA K PRPONWA RH WH RK QANNK ANY Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus 5 Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris 2 Fischer’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus fischeri Northern Brownbul P. strepitans 25 Brownbul P. terrestris 4 Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus 111 White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys 4 White-browed Robin Chat Cossypha heuglini 12 Red-capped Robin Chat C. natalensis 9 Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos 1 Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus *+ 1 Reed Warbler A. scirpaceus *+ 3 Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida 1 Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura 22 52 Charles Mlingwa Species number ringed Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana 3 Tawn-fianked Prinia Prinia subflava 3 Moustached Warbler Sphenoeacus mentalis + 1 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 38 Black-headed Batis Batis minor 1 Black-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira peltata 15 Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis + Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla Tropical Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus Grey-headed Bush Shrike Malaconotus blanchoti Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike M. sulfureopectus Brown-headed Tchagra Tchagra australis Black-headed Tchagra T. senegala Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris + Little Purple-banded Sunbird Nectarinia bifasciata Olive Sunbird N. olivacea f Scarlet-chested Sunbird N. senegalensis + Mouse-coloured Sunbird N. veroxii Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis Orange Weaver Ploceus aurantius + Black-headed Weaver P. cucullatus Masked Weaver P. intermedius Spectacled Weaver P. ocularis Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Paradise Whydah V. paradisaea Peters’ Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata Red-billed Firefinch L. senegala Green-backed Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula + Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus angolensis Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata Yellow-rumped Seed-eater Serinus atrogularis — N SK NDNKHOWWUMNANATINNNAP KH WOK Ohe PSS — NWN) N= Discussion Although the results are from a single method of bird survey (mist-netting) they give a supplement to the list of Harvey & Howell (1987) in which campus birds are indicated. No mist netting was done by these authors during their study, and as a result eight species were not recorded for the Dar es Salaam area and 17 for the campus. The ringing of d’ Arnaud’s Barbet shows that this species occurs in the Dar area, not recorded thus by Britton (1980). Despite the secondary nature of the remaining vegetation which is constantly disturbed by human activities, it nevertheless supports a number of species otherwise known to occur as either forest-edge or dense thicket inhabitants. Some, e.g. Phyllastrephus fischeri and Nectarinia olivacea, are apparent A ringing study of birds in Dar es Salaam 53 visitors from forests. It is, however, not clear whether the Cossypha natalensis and Terpsiphone viridis ringed on the campus were undergoing local or large-scale movements from forests as they are known to be migrants (Britton 1980, N.E. Baker, pers. comm.). The secondary vegetation on the campus, albeit highly disturbed, in the suburban environmient, furthermore provides a “stop-over” or “wintering” point for Palaearctic migrants. Two, Sylvia borin and Lanius collurio, are present on the campus from November to the end of April as evidenced by ringing (Mlingwa, in prep.) and this is a clear indication that they “winter” in the Dar es Salaam area, although Moreau (1972) has not mentioned this area for these species. However, an influx of S. borin is noted in April (Mlingwa, in prep.) when many more individuals are netted in thickets dominated by Harissonia abyssinica (Simarobaceae) where it feeds on ripe fruit. The influx of the S. borin in April supports the fact that birds wintering further south in Africa pass along the coast on their way back to the Palaearctic (see Moreau 1972). The other six Palaearctic species ringed on the campus are probably passage migrants in the area. Thus, even though no strictly forest-dependent species (e.g. Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis ludwigii) has been shown to reside in the disturbed thickets, this vegetation is nevertheless ecologically important to a number of species including some apparent visitors from forests, and the Palaearctic migrants. The protection and conservation of such vegetation is recommended, as are further more detailed studies in birds in urban and suburban environments. Acknowledgements The idea to carry out the study was from Prof K.M. Howell who also made useful comments during preparation of the MS. Data for January 1989 to May 1990 were collected during my coastal bulbuls study supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania, the University of Dar es Salaam and Wildlife Conservation International of the New York Zoological Society, which I thank them all. Metal and coloured rings were supplied by Mr N.E. Baker and Mrs A. Beakbane respectively; I am indebted to them for their kindness. References BARGMAN, D.J. 1970. The climate of Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Notes and Records 71: 55-64. Britton, P.L. (Ep.) 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS. Brown, L.H. 1981. The conservation of forest islands in areas of high human density. African Journal of Ecology 19: 27-32. Harvey, W.G. & Howe.i, K.M. 1987. Birds of the Dar es Salaam area, Tanzania. Le Gerfaut 77: 205-258. HoweL_, K.M. 1981. Pugu Forest Reserve: biological values and development. African Journal of Ecology 19: 73-81. LussENHOP, J. 1978. Urban cemetries as bird refuges. The Condor 79: 456-461. MACKWoRTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1960. African handbook of birds. Series I, vols 1 and 2, Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. London: Longman. Muinewa, C. (in prep.) Ringing of Palaearctic migrants in Dar es Salaam area, Tanzania. 54 Charles Mlingwa Moreau, R.E. 1972. The Palaearctic—African bird migration systems. London and New York: Academic Press. NEGERE, E. 1980. The effect of religious belief on conservation of birds in Ethiopia. Proceedings of the IV Pan-African Ornithological Congress: 361-365. Ropcers, W.A. & Homewoop, K.M. 1972. Biological values and conservations prospects for the forests and primate populations of the Uzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. Biological Conservation 24: 285-304. STuarT, S.N. 1983. Biogeographical and ecological aspects of forest bird communities in eastern Tanzania. Unpublished PhD dissertation, University of Cambridge. TYLER, S. 1979. Bird ringing in an Addis Ababa garden. Scopus 3: 1-7. WINGFELD, R.C. 1977. Flora of Dar es Salaam University campus and environs. mimeographed 167 pp. Charles Mlingwa, Department of Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Dar es Salaam, Box 35064 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Scopus 16: 50—54, July 1992 Received 27 November 1990 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS A third Kenya record of Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax On 3 December 1991 I collected an emaciated specimen of Bulweria fallax approxi- mately 3 km offshore and 8 km north of Mtwapa Creek, Kenya. This is the furthest south that the species has been recorded off the East African coast. The bird was unable to fly as its plumage was waterlogged and no longer water-resistant. Flight feathers and the plumage generally was so worn and tattered that it must have greatly reduced the bird’s powers of flight. Exceptions were the first and second secondaries which were new and still partially sheathed, as were several rectrices. The specimen died in the night after capture and has been deposited in the Ornithological Department of the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi (specimen No. 911223A). The state of this petrel’s plumage suggested that it had been incapable of flight for some time—certainly many days and perhaps weeks. The prevailing current was flowing to the north and running, at that time, at an estimated 3 knots (c. 5.6 km h’’). Prevailing winds were ESE and had been generally southerly through the preceding month at least. There is thus an implicit suggestion that the bird may have become flightless at a point much further south of where it was collected. That the species does, in fact, range far further south than the present three Kenya coastal records is confirmed by A. D. Forbes-Watson (pers. comm.) who handled a specimen that came aboard ship between Aldabra and Mahé in 1990. It would not be surprising, therefore, if the species Short communications 55 is not recorded even further south along the Kenya coast and, possibly, from Tanzanian waters as well in due course. Single specimens of Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus are not unusual in December off Mtwapa but, between 30 November and 5 December 1991 they were present with most mixed tern flocks feeding at bonito “boils”. Numbers seen ranged from singles to 12 at a feeding site, and two or three together were common. Fishing the same area on 16 and 17 December no P. pacificus were recorded, but a solitary Audubon’s Shearwater P. /herminieri was seen. I. Parker, Box 15093, Nairobi Scopus 16: 54-55, July 1992 Received 17 February 1992 Notes on birds from southwest Tanzania including an addition to the East African avifauna On 27 July 1990 an overnight visit was made to the village of Mumba (08°10S, 31°51E), about 35 km southeast of Sumbawanga town on the road to Tunduma, southwestern Tanzania. The general habitat is short montane grassland on gently undulating terrain 1900-2300 m above sea level. This area is drained by a number of small, clear streams that join to form the Mumba Stream. : Around the source of the Mumba and along its tributaries are extensive reed beds in which are found a number of interesting birds species. Red-chested Pygmy Crake Sarothrura rufa, was commen here: at least ten birds were heard calling along a 1-km stretch of reeds. The Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala, Stout Cisticola Cisticola robusta, African Marsh Owl Asio capensis, and Cape Grass Owl Tyto capensis, were also common. One of the more interesting species recorded in the reeds, however, was the Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens. This species was very common; at least 15 individuals in several family parties were observed in a 10-ha area. On a previous visit to this locality (Moyer & Stjernstedt 1985), a number of Chirping Cisticolas were observed and their unmistakable call heard; however, no descriptions, photographs, or recordings were made, and their occurrence in East Africa remained subject to confirmation. On this visit two individuals were netted, and voucher specimens were prepared (Table 1). Table 1. Measurements (g and mm) of two specimens of Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens from southwestern Tanzania weight sex wing tail tarsus maxilla mandible (flat) (from skull) (from gonys) 13.5 amim: Fe* 57 69 20.9 15.4 7.1 14.5¢ ad. M 65 76 Paps) 17.4 8.9 Another species tentatively reported from montane grassland at Mumba by Moyer & Stjernstedt (1985) was the Angola Lark Mirafra angolensis. The admission of this 56 Short communications species into the East African avifauna remained subject to confirmation because supporting details for this record were lacking. During this visit at least six birds were seen at a distance and tape recordings were made of their distinctive song-flight. These recordings were nearly identical to recordings of Angola Lark made in Western Zambia by Robert Stjernstedt. The birds at Mumba were shy and although the birds recorded were Angola Larks, they were never seen well enough to confirm their identity. In spite of the tape recordings it is probably best to wait for a specimen, photograph, or good sight record before admitting this species to the East Africa list. The Angola Lark ranges from extreme Western Zambia, the central highlands of Angola, to the southern and eastern Zaire in Shaba (Katanga) and the Marungu Highlands. The closest reported records of Angola Lark to the Ufipa Plateau are from the Marungu Highlands 200 km northwest across Lake Tanganyika (White 1961, Dowsett & Prigogine 1974). On other highland areas, east of the Ufipa Plateau in the Tanganyika—Nyasa mountains, the Rufous-naped Lark M. africana is the common montane lark (Dowsett 1972). This species has not yet been found on the Ufipa Plateau. It is unlikely that this noisy and conspicuous lark would be overlooked, and is probably why Dowsett (1972) stated that there was no montane lark on Ufipa. At Mumba the Rufous-naped Lark almost certainly does not occur and may have been replaced there and on all of Ufipa by the Angola Lark, as on the Marungu Highlands. The only other species of Mirafra found at Mumba and on the Ufipa Plateau is the widespread Flappet Lark M. rufocinnamomea. Acknowledgements We are grateful to the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology for providing assistance and permission to conduct research in Tanzania and to Wildlife Conservation International (NY ZS), the Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund and Mr J. S. McIlhenny for financial support in the field. References DowseTT, R. J. 1972. Races of the lark Mirafra africana in the Tanganyika-Nyasa montane group. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 92: 156-159. Dowsett, R. J. &. Pricocine, A.. 1974. The avifauna of the Marungu Highlands. Exploration hydrobiologique du basin du lac Bangweolo et du Luapula: Cercle Hydrobiologique de Bruxelles 19: 1-67. Moyer, D. C. & STJERNSTEDT, R. 1985. A new bird for East Africa and extensions of range of some species for southwest Tanzania. Scopus. 10: 99-102. Britton, P. L. (ep.). 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS Wuite, C. M. N. 1961. A revised check list of African broadbills, pittas, larks, swallows, wagtails and pipits. Lusaka: Government Printer. D.C. Moyer, Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216, USA and S. W. Sikombe, Box 2339, Mbeya, Tanzania Scopus 16: 55—56, July 1992 Received 23 May 1991 Short communications B44 Brown-headed Apalis Apalis alticola occurring alongside Grey Apalis A. cinerea in the Ngurumans, southwestern Kenya The Nguruman Hills rise to over 2500 m, and form the western wall of the Rift Valley immediately to the west of Lake Magadi. While the highlands themselves extend southward into Tanzania, the main block of forest is entirely within Kenya, though smaller, fragmented patches do occur south in the Loliondo and Crater Highlands. The Brown-headed Apalis Apalis alticola is mainly a central African montane species occurring from Angola and northern Zambia to northern Malawi and the southern Tanzanian highlands, re-appearing again in the Mbulu and Crater Highlands of northern Tanzania. Throughout its range it occurs alongside numerous other species of apalis, and in recent years Benson et al. (1971), Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire (1980) and Dowsett-Lemaire (1983, 1989) have all considered it conspecific with the Grey Apalis A. cinerea, on account of their similar vocalizations, though nowhere in its previously known range did the two forms (alticola and cinerea) occur together. The similarity and complexity of apalis vocalizations, particularly among many closely related forms, is well known, and has been discussed in detail by Chappuis (1980) and Dowsett-Lemaire (1986), while their ecological requirements and segrega- tion in the Malawi forests are discussed by Dowsett-Lemaire (1983, 1989). During the period 9-10 December 1990, I observed a group of three A. alticola along the forest edge near Entasekera village in the Ngurumans, close to, and frequently in apparent vocal competition with Chestnut-throated Apalis A. porphyrolaema. Alto- gether no less than five species of apalis were seen around Entasekera (altitude 1950 m), each with quite distinct ecological segregation. Grey Apalis A. cinerea and Black-throated Apalis A. jacksoni occurred camimnanig in the forest interior, frequently in mixed feeding parties, while the Yellow-breasted Apalis A. flavida occupied the riverine acacia woodlands. Although on occasions A. porphyrolaema was observed alongside both cinerea and jacksoni, and cinerea was at times close to flavida, at no time was alticola seen to associate with or occur alongside either jacksoni or cinerea, remaining very much along the forest edge, either alone or close to porphyrolaema. While the call of alticola is certainly very similar to that of cinerea (as shown by Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire (1980)) it is well known that the calls of many closely related Apalis species are so much alike, except to the ear of an experienced bio- acoustitian, with two clearly closely related, but differently plumaged forms occurring in the same area, it might well be prudent at this point to treat alticola and cinerea as separate species, as recently proposed by Sibley & Monroe (1990). Acknowledgements I thank Mr S. Rozwadowski who first observed a pair of Brown-headed Apalises in the Ngurumans during September 1990 and who later brought it to my attention. These records represent a small though not totally unexpected extension of range, and the first record of A. alticola from Kenya. I am also grateful to Prof D. A. Zimmerman for his comments on the first draft of this note. References BENSON, C.W., BROOKE, R.K., Dowsett, R.J. & IRwin, M.P.S. 1970. The birds of Zambia. London: Collins. 58 Short communications CHAPPUIS, C. 1980. Study and analysis of certain vocalizations as an aid in classifying African Sylviidae. Proceedings of the [Vth Pan-African Ornithological Congress: 57-63. DowseETT, R.J. DowsetTT-LEMARE, F. 1980. The es status of some Zambian birds. Le Gerfaut 70: 151-199. DowseTT-LEMARE, F. 1983. Ecological and territorial requirements of montane forest birds on the Nyika Plateau, south-central Africa. Le Gerfaut 73: 345-378. DowseETT-LEMARE, F. 1986. Vocal variations in two forest apalises of eastern Africa, Apalis (porphyrolaema) chapini and A. melanocephala. Scopus 10: 92-98. DowseETT-LEMARE, F. 1989. Ecological and biogeographical aspects of forest bird communities in Malawi. Scopus 13: 1-80. SIBLEY, C.G. & Monroe, B.L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi Scopus 16: 57-58, July 1992 Received 14 January 1991 Unusual bird records from Western Kenya including a new breeding record During a short visit to Western Kenya in September 1991 I recorded the following species which are unusual in the area. Shining Blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys One was seen briefly on a wooded stream at Alupe, north of Busia (Lewis & Pomeroy 1989: square 48A) on 2 September. Although the views were brief the dark blue upperparts with paler blue stripe down the mantle and rump, and blackish bill were noted. There is a previous record from this site on 21 August 1990 (East African Bird Report 1990, Scopus in press). Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis Two seen at a wooded creek near Mungatsi (48C) on 2 September. An adult was seen in company with a juvenile in dense low bushes alongside the stream. The adult was extremely secretive but the juvenile was quite conspicuous and uttered begging calls. The adult was not heard to call and identification was based on the warm brown unstreaked upperparts, lack of dark lores and whitish underparts. The juvenile was brighter in colour on the upperparts and had a yellowish-buff wash on the underparts. Although the adult was not actually seen to feed the juvenile, the behaviour of the two birds indicated that the juvenile was dependent and was being cared for by the adult. This would be a new breeding record for QSD 48C. Orange Weaver Ploceus aurantius A male was seen well at close range in low bushes along a creek near Mungatsi (48C) on 2 September. The slender pink bill, black ocular mark and bright orange-yellow colouration were noted. Black-bellied Seed-cracker Pyrenestes ostrinus Two observed along a wooded stream at Alupe (48A) on 2 September. The birds were only seen in flight, my attention being drawn to the first bird by a curious sharp metallic call. I was able to see that the entire head, breast, flanks, uppertail coverts and upperside of the tail were crimson, the belly Short communications 59 and undertail coverts were black and the bird had a prominent pale bluish bill. The flight was rather erratic and undulating at about the height of the top of the surrounding vegetation (c. 5 m). The bird circled round and was then joined by a second which followed it in flight. I presumed that the second bird was a female on the basis of the black plumage being replaced by brown but I could not rule out the possibility of it being a juvenile. However, the behaviour of these two birds suggested that the species may breed at this site. This would appear to be the second record for Kenya (see Stevenson 1992) and the first from this QSD. Magpie Mannikin Lonchura fringilloides While walking through overgrown agricul- tural land close to a stream at Alupe (48A) on 2 September I noticed four Magpie Mannikins with small parties of Bronze Mannikins L. cucullata. The birds were seen extremely well at close range in good light. They were noticeably larger than the Bronze, with heavy bluish-horn coloured bills, well defined black pectoral patches on otherwise unmarked white underparts and had no barring on the remiges or uppertail coverts. The call was a distinctive tee-oo. Although the birds were feeding in company with Bronze Mannikins they kept together as a group of four and when flushed they flew to a low bush and did not associate with the Bronze. The species is known from several localities in the Bwamba lowlands of Uganda but not from the southeast of that country. This record would appear to be only the second Kenya record (Kitovu Forest, near Taveta, see East African Bird Report 1989). The site is only a few kilometres from the Uganda border, but c. 475 km from the Bwamba lowlands and c. 575 km from the Taveta site of the other recent record. References EAsT AFRICAN BIRD REPoRT 1989. Scopus 13: 153. Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. STEVENSON, T. 1992. First record of the Black-billed Seed-cracker Pyrenestes ostrinus in Kenya. Scopus 15: 133-134. lain Robertson, 1 Central Avenue, Clitheroe, Lancs BB7 2PZ, England Scopus 16: 58-59, July 1992 Received 18 November 1991 New records for Uganda and Tanzania along the Rwandan and Burundian borders Violet-creseted Turaco Tauraco porphyreolophus Following Britton (1980), this species was recorded only once in southern Ankole, Uganda. It occurs throughout the year in riparian forest and associated acacia woodland along the Akagera River at Merama Hill on the Rwandan border, and as far east as Kikagati. Mottled Swift Apus aequatorialis There is a small breeding colony of this species on a cliff overhanging the Akagera River at Rusumo Falls in northwestern Tanzania. Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus This species is common along the border between Tanzania and Rwanda or Burundi in open riparian forest, in the acacia 60 Short communications woodlands of the middle Akagera Basin, the Parinari—Pericopsis woodlands of the Ruvubu Basin and the miombo of the Malagarazi Basin. Northwards, it occurs up to Kagitumba and Merama Hill on the Uganda—Rwanda border and up to Kikagati along the Akagera River. Levaillant’s Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii This species also was seen once, in June 1981, at Merama Hill in Uganda. Little Spotted Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii All the birds of this species seen at Kagitumba and Merama Hill in the riparian forest strips along the Akagera River belong to the race permista. Following Britton (1980), this race was known from Uganda at only Bwamba Forest. Bennett’s Woodpecker Campethera bennettii This species is one of the commonest woodpeckers in eastern Rwanda (Akagera NP) and also occurs throughout the year in dense acacia woodlands near Merama Hill in southernmost Uganda. All birds seen in Rwanda and southern Uganda are typical Bennett’s according to plumage, but their voice is quite similar to that of the Nubian Woodpecker C. nubica, and does not sound like that of Bennett’s Woodpeckers from farther south, in Zimbabwe, for example. Clearly, the contact between these two woodpeckers needs more study, especially since Britton (1980) gives the Nubian Woodpecker for as far south as Ngara in northwestern Tanzania. Mountain Illadopsis Trichastoma pyrrhopterum This species also occurs in the riparian forest strips along the Akagera River at Merama Hill. White-headed Black Chat Thamnolea arnoti A few birds of this species were seen at several occasions in acacia woodlands along the Akagera River at Merama Hill, southern Uganda. In July 1989 a pair was feeding at a nest in a customs building. White-winged Warbler Bradypterus carpalis This species inhabits not only the swamps of the middle Akagera Basin in northwestern Tanzania (Britton 1980) but also those of the Ruvubu Valley and Malagarazi Basin along the Burundi border. Papyrus Yellow Warbler Chloropeta gracilirostris Following Britton (1980), this species is unknown in Tanzania. Indeed it was never recorded in the extensive and apparently suitable middle Akagera swamps on the Rwanda—Tanzania border, but it occurs in the papyrus swamps of the Ruvubu River, from the Burundi border up to Rusumo Falls. Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri As for the previous species, this gonolek occurs not only in the extensive swamps of the middle Akagera Basin in northwestern Tanzania, but also along the Ruvubu River and in the Malagarazi Basin along the Burundi border to about 4°S. Reference BriTToON, P.L. (ED) 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS. Jean Pierre Vande weghe, Box 2954, Bujumbura, Burundi Scopus 16: 59-60, July 1992 Received 18 November 1991 Notes for Contributors, Cont. [no comma, no parentheses]; in the list of references at the end of a paper or short communication: authors’ family names followed by a comma, then initials, each followed by a full point (= full stop, period); names of journals: to be given in full; books: after author(s), year of publication and title give the town followed by the publisher. — Two copies of contributions, which will be acknowledged, should be typed in double spacing on one side of the paper only, with wide margins all round. Clear hand-written MSS will also be considered. Both English and scientific names of birds should be given when the species is first mentioned, thereafter only one name should be used. The names should be those of a stated work and any deviations from this work should be noted and reasons given. Metric units should be used. Contributions on floppy disk are welcomed, but please still send two hard copies. When you send your contribution on disk please do not type anything in ALL CAPS unless the combination always occurs in that form (e.g., ‘USA’). Original black and white photographs and line illustrations should not be larger than A4 (210 x 297 mm). Line illustrations should be on good quality white paper or board, or on tracing material; lettering should be of professional quality or marked lightly in pencil. Authors of ‘papers’ receive three copies of their contribution free of charge. Extra copies, which will be charged at cost, must be ordered when the MS is accepted. All contributions should be sent to the Editor, G. C. Backhurst, Box 24702, Nairobi, Kenya. East African Bird Report This normally forms the third issue of Scopus each year. Records from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are welcomed. Please send them as soon as you can to D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi. Records of rare birds are assessed by the internationally-based East African Rarities Committee. If you see a rare bird, it may help to telephone one of the OSC members so that someone else can see the bird. Ringing scheme of eastern Africa This covers several countries in the area. Qualified and aspiring ringers should contact the ringing organizer, Box 24702, Nairobi for more information. E.A.N.H.S. Nest Record Scheme Details of most kinds of breeding activity are required by the scheme. Nest record cards may be obtained free of charge from the organizer, Dr Leon A. Bennun, Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Box 40658, Nairobi. ICAMREF 19 Scopus 16 (1), July 1992 Contents CoLIn RYALL. Predation and harassment of native bird species by the Indian House Crow Corvus splendens, in Mombasa, Kenya ...............cccssscccssssscecessceccessreeeseees 1 L. C. RooKMAAKER. African birds in the Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux d’ Afrique (1796=1813) by Francois Levaillant................c<..s-soseccseocesese seen 9 J. S. Aso. An apparently isolated population of Blue-breasted Kingfishers Halcyon Malimbica-in EthiOpia ......025.i0s..sceccsoeoeenese00eeneonseeensonseees soca seo cee ee eee eee Eee 14 J. S. AsH, M. A. C. COVERDALE AND T. M. GuLLIck. Spring migration of raptors and some other species in western Uganda.......................-c0c«s-2seeeeesestte eon 18 J. S. ASH AND GERHARD NIKOLAUS. Birds in the hot season along the Nile in the Sudanese*easterm Sahara ...2...0..0.0.c.sccscosesseossessenceeeseoonsensuc cess eee ee eee 22 D. J. PEARSON, M. A. C. CovERDALE AND A. L. ARCHER. Recent surveys of wintering waders at Lake Turkana, Kenya with details of 1989 counts on the northeast S110) cee eee ee eee eect cccocoacoce osocoocococaccoecct an 22+ 29 MICHAEL EVANS AND ANDREW BALMFORD. Birds in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda.......2..0:..0.....c0c.cseoecassececedecsuc ea tn eee eee 34 CHARLES MLINGwaA. Birds of the main university campus in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: @ TINQING StUY, .............cseescsesessceceseececeecsccsensCeeseusccececeococs soe te tee eee eee 50 Short communications I. ParKER. A third Kenya record of Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax ............::ccccscs0 54 D. C. MOYER AND S. W. SIKOMBE. Notes on birds from southwest Tanzania including an addition to the East African avifauma ..................ccsssccccesseccssesssceceeeeeceenseeeens 55 D. A. TuRNER. Brown-headed Apalis Apalis alticola occurring alongside Grey Apalis A. cinerea in the Ngurumans, southwestern Kenya .................:sccccsssssccssseeeeeeeees ay TAIN ROBERTSON. Unusual bird records from Western Kenya including a new breeding TOCOLA 2. casscccesen cvsscessdepnesnccseceneseones ssesetesnesenscddubeedsone eb eces settee eee 58 JEAN PIERRE VANDE WEGHE. New records for Uganda and Tanzania along the Rwandan and Burundian DOrdets .........:..cscescsseccsneccoseccesococessccevoecesscceeserecesutee seteeeeaeeeean 59 Notices Request: red-billed hornbills in Africa’s................0-.00:-c-<0+-ce+o-cr-oecceessecessuseessueeenneteeeene 13 New publication [Kenya Birds] .......ccc.s.cccsscooosecsestecsooresencroocorescocesessentsestaeeeeeee eee 28 Published by the Ornithological Sub-committee of the E.A.N.H.S and Printed in Kenya by AMREF, Wilson Airport, Box 30125, Nairobi ¥ Al ISSN 0250-4162 9 139 4h ig\) SCOPUS A publication of the Ornithological Sub-Committee of the East Africa Natural History Society Edited by Graeme Backhurst Volume 16, No. 2, April 1993 SCOPUS Cover illustration from a gouache painting by Dr P. A. Clancey Scopus is normally published three times a year (although issues may be combined) by the Ornithological Sub-committee of the East Africa Natural History Society. Subscriptions are payable to the OSC Hon Treasurer (and Secretary) D. A. Turner [tel. Nairobi 48133], Scopus a/c, Box 48019, Nairobi, Kenya, at the following rates: Kenya residents: Ksh 150.00 (Ksh 160.00 up-country cheques) All others, air mail: Stg £10.00, US $16.00, DM30,00 or equivalent in convertible currency Bank Drafts in Kenya currency cannot be accepted This is because our bank charges almost as much as the value of the draft to process it. The rates for ‘All others’ apply to subscribers in all countries other than Kenya. Those wishing to remit by bank transfer should do so to Barclays Bank of Kenya Ltd., Market Branch, Box 30018, Nairobi for credit of D. A. Turner, Scopus a/c No. 2852601. Other members of the Ornithological Sub-Committee: G. C. Backhurst (Chairman, Editor of Scopus, and Ringing Organizer), Box 15194, Nairobi; house tel. Nairobi 891 419, office tel. Nairobi 501 301. A. L. Archer, Nairobi; N. E. Baker, Dar es Salaam; Dr L. A. Bennun, Nairobi; Dr M. J. Carswell, England; M. A. C. Coverdale, Nakuru; J. H. Fanshawe, England; B. W. Finch, Mara and Nairobi; Mrs C. Gichuki, Nairobi; N. Gichuki, Nairobi; W. G. Harvey, Nairobi; Dr K. M. Howell, Dar es Salaam; Dr W. Karanja, Nairobi; Dr A. D. Lewis, England; B. S. Meadows, Saudi Arabia; J. E: Miskell, Kampala; D. C. Moyer, Arusha and USA; Dr D. J. Pearson, England; Prof D. E. Pomeroy, Kampala; J. F. Reynolds, England; D. K. Richards, Nairobi; T. Stevenson, Baringo. Co-opted members: Dr H. A. Isack, Nairobi; Mrs S. Kamau, Nairobi. Notes for Contributors Scopus welcomes original contributions on all aspects of the ornithology of eastern Africa—the area from the Sudan south to Mogambique. Contributions will be assessed by independent referees. The material published is divided into ‘papers’, ‘short communications’, letters, and communications. Short communications will usually be less than two pages in length. Authors are asked to follow the conventions used in Scopus and to refer to a recent issue for guidance. A few examples of conventions are: dates: 23 September 1991 Continued inside back cover ——— Scopus 16: 61-80, April 1993 61 The birds of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia R. J. Safford, J. W. Duckworth*, M. I. Evans, M. G. Telfer, R. J. Timmins and Chemere Zewdie During a multi-disciplinary survey of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia, between July and September 1990 (Duckworth et al. 1992), a principal aim was to document the bird communities then in the park and to identify which were most diverse, important or threatened. Nechisar is a small (750 km?) park at an average altitude of 1100 m in the Rift Valley (6°N, 37°E), containing grassland, forest and bushland. Two sites were surveyed most intensively: the area between the Kulfo river and the park headquarters (17 July to 23 August) and an area near the eastern park boundary around the Sermale river (26 August to 23 September) (Fig. 1). Birds were observed opportunistically on foot daily for the ten-week period, to identify those present in the range of vegetation types over a wide area. Observer activity, spread throughout the day, was least during 03:00 to 07:00 and 19:00 to 21:00. A limited amount of mist-netting was carried out in riverine forest. Combined daily counts from all observers allowed estimation of the relative abundance of every species in each habitat on a five point scale as given in Table 1. Few birds were breeding: the main season seems to be during the rains of April and May (Duckworth et al. 1992). Few specimens were taken, so species which could be considered difficult to identify are listed only provisionally. This account considers the status of bird species by habitat within Nechisar. More complete documentation of birds in Nechisar is in Duckworth et al. (1992). Completeness of the survey In total, 315 bird species were recorded from the park and its immediate surroundings during the survey (Table 1). Urban & Brown (1971) list approximately 450 species as occurring in the southern Ethiopian Rift Valley; we added several species, but this leaves about 150 ‘missing’. Most can be explained by one or more of the following. Species not recorded, but which are likely to occur 1.Species living in poorly-surveyed habitats or areas of the park. Large tracts of Nechisar remained unchecked, although representative areas were chosen as far as possible. Marshlands received little coverage. 2. Elusive species, in particular those in dense or difficult habitat, or those usually found by voice which were silent for the non-breeding period. 3.Groups difficult to identify where more species may have been present than we identified (e.g. pipits Anthus, batises Batis, glossy starlings Lamprotornis). 4. Migrants. Many Palaearctic migrants were arriving in the second half of the survey and so were only recorded around the Sermale area, although they were presumably also occurring around the Kulfo. Ash (1980) listed 161 Palaearctic migrants from the Rift Valley, many of which could occur at Nechisar. *To whom correspondence should be addressed 62 Safford, Duckworth, Evans, Telfer, Timmins and Chemere Zewdie s Lake shore >. River “Bushland — Park boundary == Road : = Dense thicket (not surveyed) ---- Drivable track 4 Camp site Lake Abaya 37° 35E Figure 1. Map of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia The birds of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia 63 Species genuinely absent Many species must have distributions more restricted than merely North, South, East or West Rift Valley (into which Urban & Brown (1971) subdivide Rift Valley distribu- tion), for example, due to habitat specialization. Considering the above, the great majority of species occurring in the park during July to September were probably found in this survey, but the total number of species using Nechisar will exceed 350 and may be around 400. Range extensions and confirmations The check-list of Ethiopian birds (Urban & Brown 1971) breaks down Ethiopian bird distribution into several units: Nechisar falls in “Rift Valley (south) [RV(s)]”. The following species recorded in Nechisar are not listed for RV(s): Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides, Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus, Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens, White-eyed Kestrel Falco rupicoloides, Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus, White-faced Scops Owl Otus leucotis, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar Caprimulgus donaldsoni, Star-spotted Nightjar C. stellatus, Scarce Swift Schoutedenapus myoptilus (identified provisionally), Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudata, Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea, Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara, Black Cuckoo-Shrike Campephaga flava, Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina (identified provisionally), Olivaceous War- bler H. pallida, Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridula, Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris, Stripe-breasted Seedeater Serinus reichardi and Jameson’s Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia, while the ranges of Ovampo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis (identified provisionally), Wahlberg’s Eagle Aguila wahlbergi, Scaly Francolin Francolinus squamatus and African Wood Owl Ciccaba woodfordii are expressly stated to be uncertain but RV(s) is not mentioned. Northern White-tailed Bush Lark Mirafra albicauda was overlooked by Urban & Brown (1971) and Boran Cisticola Cisticola bodessa not then recognized. Discounting these last two species, this gives 19 extensions of range from those in Urban & Brown (1971) and four range confirmations. Bird communities: species richness and overlap Figs 2 and 3 summarize the species totals and overlap of bird communities in each habitat surveyed. These habitats are described more fully in Duckworth et al. (1992). Forest habitats Three forest areas were surveyed: the 30-m high, largely closed-canopy forest along the Kulfo river (Kulfo Riverine Forest [KRF]), the Groundwater Forest (GWF) around (and watered by) the Arba Minch springs and the more open, varied (in structure and composition) forest along the Sermale river (SRF). A total of 143 species was recorded; SRF held the most species (Fig. 2), largely because its structure and composition benefited several (primarily) bushland species. The overall forest species richness was only 70 per cent of that of bushland. None of the “critical species” for East African forest bird conservation (sensu Stuart 1985) was found. These forests are isolated from others and very distant (about 1400 km) from the 64 Safford, Duckworth, Evans, Telfer, Timmins and Chemere Zewdie two refugia (east coast i.e. east Kenya and Tanzania, and central i.e. western Uganda) from which most of the East African forest avifauna is derived (Diamond & Hamilton 1980); this may explain their low species richness. The forests, especially those around Arba Minch, are nonetheless of tremendous importance: for their mammals (Duckworth 1992), to the local community, as a park attraction and as an educational resource, as well as being a refuge for several local and vulnerable birds. Being isolated forests, they are important in any consideration of regional diversity. They are critically threatened by illegal collection of firewood and construction timber (Duckworth et al. 1992). Outside the park, a tiny (smaller than 2 ha) relict of highland forest (mixed broad- leaved and juniper Juniperus, rich in epiphytes i.e. unit F4 of Urban & Brown [1971]) survives on a mountain top at 2180 m a.s.1., east of the Sermale river where a few forest birds not seen in the park were found (Table 1). KRF GWF SRF SB KB : P Eniramed habitats Sermale habitats Figure 2 Analysis of bird communities by different regions of Nechisar National Park. Numbers refer to the number of species identified in each region regardless of their abundance. Palaearctic migrants have been included as the different habitats within each diagram were surveyed separately KRF + GWF SRF KB SB Forest habitats OS Bushland/plains habitats P Figure 3. Analysis of bird communities by habitat in Nechisar National Park. Num- bers refer to the number of species regarded in each habitat, regardless of their abundance. As different areas of comparable habitat have been surveyed at different times, Palaearctic migrants have been excluded The birds of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia 65 Bushland habitats Bushlands cover much of Nechisar, and two areas were surveyed fairly comprehen- sively: thick, well-watered bushland in the flat plain between the Kulfo river and Arba Minch escarpment, and dryer, more open bushland between the Hot Springs and the plains. Limited fieldwork also took place in bushland at several points around Lakes Chamo and Abaya (including Hitu, where the vegetation was dense and low, unlike any other site visited in Nechisar), Dagabulle ridge and the lower slopes of the Amaro Mountains, to 2180 m a.s.l. Species total Most striking about the bushlands was the abundance of birdlife, compared to the forests and plains, reflected in the numbers of individuals seen and the high species total of 204. The park bushlands are connected to huge areas of fairly similar habitat outside the park (rather than being isolated patches, like the forests) from which to draw their fauna. Variation between areas Species totals for the Kulfo and Sermale bushlands were 159 and 166 respectively. Only 121 (59 per cent) of the combined total of 204 species were recorded in both areas. This figure exaggerates the difference, as several forest species (not found around the Sermale) visited the Kulfo bushland (e.g. Great Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus), whilst plains species penetrated the Sermale bushland (e.g. Little Bee- eater Merops pusillus, Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea). Furthermore, Palaearctic migrants arriving during September and so only recorded around the Sermale are sure to occur elsewhere. Striking differences were apparent, such as the abundance of Yellow-necked Spurfowl Francolinus leucoscepus, Spotted Thicknee Burhinus capensis, Slender-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus clarus, Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudata, Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis and Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit Remiz musculus around the Sermale compared to their absence or rarity in the denser Kulfo bushland. The road south of Arba Minch town passes through drier, more open bushland contiguous with the Kulfo bushland, but containing several of these latter species. Two bushland species were only found around Hitu: Gabar Goshawk Melierax gabar and Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus. Four passerines recorded in the Amaro mountains (Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans, Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura, Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata and Red-naped Widowbird Euplectes ardens) were observed in the Park only around Lake Haro Ropi. The vegetation of this latter area was continuous with and had characters of the higher-altitude vegetation in the valleys on the Amaro mountains and it may be that this area (unfortunately only visited once) holds further hill species. Much bushland bird community variation may be attributed to vegetation structure, which varied from dense, continuous thicket with deep shade, to scattered bushes in open grassland. 66 Safford, Duckworth, Evans, Telfer, Timmins and Chemere Zewdie Uniqueness Around the Kulfo 94 (59 per cent) of the 159 species recorded from bushland were not found in the adjacent forests; around the Sermale habitat boundaries were less clear-cut and only 45 (27 per cent) of 166 were not found in the adjacent plains or riverine vegetation. The plains Although grasslands are considered by Urban & Brown (1971) alongside bushland, the distinct Nechisar Plains deserve separate treatment. Only 11 (16 per cent) of the 70 species recorded from the plains were not found elsewhere; this small proportion is due mainly to bushland species using scattered bushes on the plains (e.g. Lilac- breasted Roller, White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus rueppelli). Species of the open, treeless grasslands formed a small but very distinct community. The dominant resident passerines were Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis, pipits (probably including Plain-backed Anthus leucophrys) and Northern White-tailed Bush Lark Mirafra albicauda; Kori and (probably) Black-bellied Bustards Otis kori and Eupodotis melanogaster, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus and Smith’s Francolin Francolinus levaillantoides fed in the grass; Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, Swallow-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii and Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus were the common predators, later joined by Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus; Star-spotted Nightjar Caprimulgus stellatus was probably also common. Small bushy patches or isolated trees or bushes providing shade or lookouts were used by further species, especially Spotted Thicknee, Taita Fiscal Lanius dorsalis and raptors such as Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus and Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates. The plains graded fairly abruptly into bushland, but several species seemed to prefer this ecotone (e.g. Little Bee-eater, Black-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda erythronotus, Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea), where also the less strict plains species (e.g. Flappet Lark) met bushland birds (e.g. Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana). Such a specialized and structurally simple habitat would be expected to support few species, but more might have been hoped for. The low species total (as for nocturnal mammals: Duckworth 1992) could mainly be due to the plains’ isolation from similar habitat. Only one (Flappet Lark) of 12 lark species known from the grasslands and savannas of south Ethiopia (sensu Urban & Brown [1971]; i.e. south and east of Nechisar) was found; more might occur in unchecked areas, but this difference must be genuine. However, the presence of Northern White-tailed Bush Lark is remarkable; Nechisar is its only known locality in Ethiopia, as the birds Benson (1946) published as M. albicauda are now considered to be Singing Bush Lark M. cantillans (Ash 1992, Safford 1993.). The plains community is of great interest as it contained two species little known in Ethiopia: Northern White-tailed Bush Lark and Star-spotted Nightjar as well as an as yet unidentified nightjar Caprimulgus sp. Systematic list of birds recorded in Nechisar National Park Table 1 summarizes most of the data gathered on habitats used, abundances therein, breeding indications, moult and for Palaearctic migrants, the date of the first record. These headings are explained opposite. The birds of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia 67 Table 1. Bird species recorded in and around Nechisar National Park, July to September 1990. The peak daily count and a subjective assessment of Status is given (see text for amplification). Species where identification is provisional marked *. Bracketed group identifications are not included in the species totals for each habitat where they were also identified to species. Key to abbreviations below Habitat krf Riverine forest along the Kulfo river. gwf Ground-water forest around Arba Minch springs. kb Bushland between the Kulfo river and Arba Minch escarpment. srf Riverine forest, restricted to within 50-100 m of the Sermale river. sb Bushland covering most of the park, in particular between the Nechisar Plains and the Amaro mountains at the park boundary; Dagabulle ridge; Hitu. This habitat category was the most varied: most records refer to the area between the Hot Springs and Nechisar Plains. p Plains. Species occurring in areas with widely and irregularly scattered bushes and in small, isolated wadi-like bushy areas are included, along with the true open grassland species. o Areas outside but adjacent to the park; ‘m’ refers to the Amaro mountains as far as the tiny relict highland forest at 2180 m, east of the park; ‘t’ refers to Arba Minch town. w Water (Lakes Chamo, Abaya and Haro Ropi and small pools in sb near Lake Chamo). Only species associated with standing water are included. of Overfiying species. Species passing overhead, either on migration or flying between other areas. Abundance Within each park habitat (excluding 0), relative abundance for each species is indicated in two ways: the maximum daily count (all observers combined), and a general assessment, where definitions approximately follow those of Urban & Brown (1971): a Abundant: found daily in fair to large numbers (ten or more), c¢ Common: a few found almost daily, f Frequent: quite often found, but special effort needed to do so, u Uncommon: seldom found, but of regular occurrence, r __ Rare: found seldom (typically only one or two records) and irregularly. Where a species’ abundance varied within one habitat type, the abundance in its favoured area is given. Categories for Palaearctic migrants may be unreliable as birds were arriving or passing through only towards the end of the survey. Breeding indications Fully-grown juvenile No breeding indications, but judged to be regularly present in suitable habitat. bs Proof of current or recent breeding (including incompletely-grown juvenile) d Display including courtship feeding t Territory held s Song heard J Moult; based on field observations, so very incomplete c Complete moult in progress (remiges and / or rectrices) i Moult observed only on head or body (indeterminate whether complete or partial) pj Post-juvenile moult. Palaearctic migrants The date represents the first sighting of these species. 68 Safford, Duckworth, Evans, Telfer, Timmins and Chemere Zewdie krf ..gwf.kb...oh...w....srf ..sb ...p.....0.....D.....m....Pm Black-necked Grebe Podiceps migricollis ......ccccsssssssssssssvessesseesessseeses OB corradecbeuseosneteacourn se ne White Pelican Pelecanus OnOCTOtAIUS .........ccssecseceseeeseeeees 6r.. 85230. Jee ee eee Pink-backed:Pelican\Ps Tufescens zx. es, ak Sei ee S76 ces. eee ee Se *(pelican’ sp.) P. ONOCTOLALUS, | TUSESCENS. .cassttsos-anessoncaseacsnsescavsiue D0 9 Cientebashs avers pes suas thtads- see te ee Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax AfTiCQNnus ..........s1sscscesceseeeeees BC edsvcseasdesesteucecvonsuesteerette O witessceacee Darter:Anhingairigia: so ee ke sine eee ee oe eee DT BCs sactscnsacase eae eee OR Grey, eronmrAT dea) CIT ean cak ake che te ie tans caecs eats ee SF cc Sista Goliath Heronv A] Oli ath is ess foe eee aan ne ah a a Qfy 20 ascedessaaronsaB see Dee ee Black-headed Heron A. melanocephala ..........:c.scccsccesscescesseesseens DP oo cress tescesacenssse tendeaeeohe eee eae Purple;HeronvAl purpurea ees. eee Saree ee 5) GaN on Ane tae so Be a ec A ae 8 Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides en ees en. fare ee Sf ees i Jee o) saa Cattle Esret Bubulcus ibis sxe: Bt pene atte Oe Ou: 2uy. 43). u eee te.xie ES Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus............... Toy 2Uitis. 225. cto. 262. 1h). 222. ee i Sean Great: White Esret)Eoretia alba. roe. somes Ot eee ee eee Df. Seu ces oacgde ten. pret: Spauace zareces Little Egret Bioarzetia 32... oeresen ee) semen eerie le, oe SeeN Ee ae Di viisensdent: St Se See at. eaeeee Night HeromeMycl CONAC MY CHCONAK atc coerce neteee coer erence 11 ent | igeioms Pointe as oem ©. acusathictes LAMETKOD'S COPUS UDI CLG ee ee ere ere oes ecco once ne eee MY UM, ccdacciessscacseeees Os. ccnetaee Abdimys Stork’ Cicontatabdi mise neern Tae ee See eee ok ee 1. PS eee Woolly-necked Stork C. episcopus .........10.0cccc0e UY ceesinesssecdbeeseandatede watt teense dee ee Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis ............1ssc01eecee 20 0:20 ice eee ox. cas Marabou Leptoptilos Crumeniferus .........cscccesseessesessesesseeees Sf ee 27 CE cccee tia eee fh Be adn ace Weliow-billedts tOrko M1 Veleni a 1OIS oresercacccestceatectetesacssnctenceesaeeece WAU 2. ccs csccsnascen henson CRY Sats Hadada Bostrychia hagedash ...0........cccccccesseereceses 12¢) St eee PST eters DY coeistr ee lh ten epee SacredtIbis)Dhreskiornis aethiopica sy eee ee OF A RT *spoonbill sp. Platalea alba | leucOrodia ..........csccescesecssssseeeeeee DE hitb th tA Lesser Flamingo PhROe€niCOnaiaS MANOP ...........secceseeesecesceneeeeceeeeeeneneeee 1446... .icond..25h eee eee *(flamingo sp.) Phoenicopterus ruber | PhoenicOnaiaS MINOr ........::.0c.10000000 1206 40u kn eae ee Egyptian Goose Alopochen Ge gypticus ........sccsccesesesscesseeseeeceeeeenees 60.255... 85 See tac ee Garganey, Anassqitey QUe Ul Gyo Fee cic cee Dh ws esses eee epee eee ad Qi eessheessicariocds Seat a ee 16 Sep Secrelary Bitd) S@ertartus SEU PCTUGIUUS once eater cept e ea ee Ln t4bh seca 9 i sazvais oot African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus ............000+ Sh oY ilpesd bein gibt 3 SU: SU ghee see Rippellis: Vulture Gii7ueppelliimeeere ce re ee eee VIC cS iam ates ae ce AAR as 6ST Recs! ees Hooded Vulture Neophron monachus .....122..1cecccesceseereeneenee SOaveea how. she). BwWeih.kel tiene Spe Egyptian Vulture N.,percnOoplerus...... .....:-c-ncetcee-++05sansssstscns dnnsndarhacktapeetee eave oem eae Int. .as28. 2. see Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus ..........:.c:sseseceee Wiles scnsvanascucasct- «eae 60... 30ers bateo ence White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis ..............0+ PATS EE REM 5 95 PA ie deta Pate Meee Lammergeyer Gypaetus Darbatus ..........:c:ssccecceescenseeneceteceeee 2 oes. fam ees Dr... LeU teh eae Montagu’s; Harrier Circusipy gargs 5 Acme eee, Se eee nactece ne cecneat bine cns crane 3C Suan e eee 14 Sep Harrier Hawk Polyboroides radiatus .........:..000++- Mies fl Tyo lfyrcasacsotosswerades be 42 lusencteze tris. Jeanne. Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens......... eM eee ca crease BE te eccaans Mees cso dhs. eases Bane rn, Se Brown Snake Eagle C. cinereus ............:sc1eeeeee Air tre. c0e bs cut ces Ate 2S DAL nosacoxes tap aeeaene nee eee Short-toed Snake Eagle Ci) gallicus (scccscs. set... DA asa I 5 Gikeatn eR Wr’. 20 0. seecencteeses teres Bateleur Terathopius CCAUdAtus ............1cscceeeeees 2), ON | leg | RE eee ee 2f ...4c...4f .xtmpsbateeses Shika! ACCIDU Er DAAIUS) sr csscce: arene cco. cncnecnne eases sees oan certo UW ecsareeceenaees Is Fae I cperese ene Ree a be Great Sparrowhawk A. melanoleucus ...........:000++ DG SPE ee. eccescteccee ote eee ee eee Sele Sats Little Sparrowhawk A. minullus .........ccceeeeee Anes. Lut. shut Te eo ea eee ea *Ovampo Sparrowhawk A. OVGMPENSTS .........:sescesseerseesees UG Seisivesdaoo¥o sence tscesteceed ./ktezarc.toceeeeeeeeeee eee African: Goshawk A. tachiro .........ccecceseecceseeeenee DU ce Use MB o, 5ccecasnecusscssonceocsscesseseessceesencemseeee den8.g Tawny EAaglevAQislarapannccnns- cseecce ctr sce sate eetesestees DUS secesisrtecteese lu...2U.22ueee.. dizset.g Verreaux’s Eagle A. yerneagund 6 cistern ae QU sas ctasiasptoanth obese scapeas tae eet a ee Wahiberg’s|Baple Al wWanlQer ob ac. ccccsccsscsccconetcceteescescovnornanass WG 2s scccssostaswas cessauwectinnctusecstesteac seen eres eee Augur Buzzard Butéo QUgur ...........<..--2---+---=:--te eerste Siesess.02.. Ree Ineete 2 NDS... ee African Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus spilogaster ....... Dig acaseticds DU icvusctusdevaetpen osewust QU sce LT: Meets Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis ........... DNV cranes 6) Siar aac eS ps Sie ales ty. .di oe ae Gabar Goshawk Melierax POD Mpa. scree oacne ctcntete «ose ccs ee davntss paca sora nena aes L Hit .acsencinceneeeee Dark Chanting Goshawk M. metabates ............... Ir Rene BN oss tabesscateeic In 2h ase pie leet Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicOSUs ............1sssssseseeseeseees 1 Gna iran. Mates i quepepueeee fot © decease Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer ..........:ccsesseseeees BC aia... QU sc cxesctecs AG 228): 20 elt eee [ eee The birds of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia - 69 «okies owh. kb:.oh ...w.....Stf ..Sb :..p:....0.,;..D;....m...Pm SAE ANIME SUINE OT ANS, 52022 oa5eense0ia cachsacececveente Weave DY YR. sscnscecvses cs Qe scse As 2 as; ME pecs cdewskie Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides ..........cccscccsescceseeseeeeseeeee AY sscesssessesteee QE rajenasseecapaseccedrerae ae eapanathty Swallow-tailed Kite Chelictinia ri0COurit .0........:c.ccsssssssssssessssessesesseeseeees Reece jee) Greece Seer corer Black-shouldered Kite Elanus ca@eruleus ..........:.:.scesscssesseeeeseees AF ..nwssxivesfecsuuit DE oa 28 eM cer act CHER Bat Hawk Macheiramphus GICinus ..........s1csssssseersesseeceenseeseeneesceeescees Dis cesendecadita ons yuagiiawareedsteeeebacds GSE NE AIEHION IUBIGELUS |. 5. ccs sacksactencsnssscsiusescnevvoreccaccssenteccesccesoe UP ccsissceacseassessareprapuptastsoceuttasenccustemesteasst RGR MITESIEE HO ENEICO CT COSTACEUS o.oo 20 ino iaissatisel cnt aas Maisac eb cbavcetacneresseczeesss aan eee nee eer renee WANEMEE IE AMCOMD EE DECAIIILICUS. feces 22s vas cdetesetass tonne ousenceestSsen atch esau ents «a yeuvaua teubeeymans ssemnebiauevs Oh. daveas seals Seccees *hobby sp. F. cuviert / Subbuteo .........cscsseeseees tyes ccaceze Bi cdesssesnecsesecss LT. cg AB yacpesttey, cxsdescth coated. saleans PERE PRINCE AICOM NE DETEOTINUS 2205055 ccceecoccccstecccsstcacescstacsaeies QE vsictivsavessesisccsencere renee ed © scchneelbeds Re CH IRC SIFC ION? TF LICOIOLUOS. artis. 3225 cos s5t ans RPsvetsaccanes Mes ceonuce savanna cance Ub gacdsecsts. teats stssere’ Mas BET PSTEPILETIC TAILS oe Aree rece ME SPREE bs cabckne sob beacasctenasesssnavadvecesondpnnbebtneay aay SG sccay hh peste ves FA Area ONAN COTUTTUL CELE QOF QUEL «2.5.1 IIOM 22..2:.4:sccosnc-000ctceeoncen=e ) Fear DU vecteseecceactecees ADs. .csvceosancaaet I 279 se dausedeagtic Scaly-throated Honeyguide /. variegatus ............ TU eis secese | | eno LD os scei aac.-acs¥ivstuasacas Os. cadavaecs Wahlberg’s Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus ............:cc0c00- Te a 1 Cae eee @ scasstete esd Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica............ Bl eae Die c sccuseaenenzoces DE. sox Qh cost castsoreerect : eee Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fusCeSCENS .......:.1.00000+ GC jwieccgiccasescosss QD ocx Digrccsearivsnvesareed Dissnssiesastt GeV MIGORDECKEE IMECSOPICOS ROETIAE........20000a<.0ccasnsusberecsonssnissecesssenessoncsnees LW a. secasenevavetencte hes Oy tvcasaceess Bearded Woodpecker Thripias namaquus............ IPRS... Joss0 5) eS DAY 2 2 Micsisahuedvavd Byes (1 ee ae Northem White-tailed Bush Lark Mirafra albicqQud] .0.0........sccccccccesseseeeeeseeecsseeeeeeeees GC aeaiesat5is OM. ecsctawn! ae APR Hea VARS FAE OC IPTICRITIONICG: «.020cnoe-nccnccsnessinenasseussnossncseoseiccecsessosqunseievecseceese DAB... SC aeshstecase (a eee ree ENaC ai AR RANIE PRC HEE OMIT CU 95a cao n nach oxscu sce scixinnssueuacezsuesnactvessaannnsenoasevestopteapbysacsdckey Ms cecladecbaceceis 18 Sep Striped Swallow Hirundo AbySSinicd .........ccccccssecseeeeeeeeeeees WUE BOC ..ceccnzescests LOE 3, cos INAS, scvcadavzszeced Paice an ROCK Marti Fi SUL CUA. ............0<0s-oroneonescicieeereoee Digs ccsesssesssassesases; is ...tevwets ID. cecevcuceusarere. FETT OTST SICAL 2 77K 277 3504 10008 .:5.5222.5.cccvetse INE ssscdcscesiscseeis 16 Jul ) Masque Swallow). SEnegalensts .....0.2.........0.s-.sesedccsesoeesserensteee GU sacn eee csscbuacesscatessstconstersaesecalcatstovasstensbac’ Wie -tatled Swalloweld ySiminil .........2...02.00+-00seece-ssens-eesesease DE we cncnsnvcnsesnvaseasvenstadnans seyeteenesasese he te eveccacc’ Black Rough-wing Psalidoprocne pristoptera .............:00+- Rg ee ceecsxiecscsexe WOT cnscseeseseess MS. seisesctavderte African Sand Martin Riparia paludicola ...........ccccsesscssesseeseeeeesceseesees Ti wschscosnssccacacehesiobacoanchacnevessteee aczves SARI A AEIAEA NR PIIERT oo ce dhs wn nen ss cuneansecrascGitnaessescceeceess QU 2c BL scnscecosssacattaahawuusiecesectsneabaza-costaece 25 Aug DEON GO DiCrUrUsiQAStMilis ....:..c...01..0-:00-s0ee0reeeees OC £ OCP TC ai. c. cnssanceasss 12a 21a 3g... ..0eha-2.C Vill Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus ................- 6C)j:8 SCRACZE. .n.sncecessices BC IG sccchevvscerseee: DSéacccsicds OO Ae aR NS ASE PIBIOTE SESE OB as cnn nn nnatinsncsib nnn en sandscennoenstasondes adnes0desustthCetsavies dees MMi 3. Shere desczee Thick-billed Raven C. CraSSi7TOSI7riS .......0..ccccccssesscssesseeseeeeees 71 TV: an ee Raph ne ae POR nee oe Ban PAUCHIRAVEMIC. THIDIGUTUS oo ...cccacancisiiocecssovssucsucssntsosi> Pf e co reccccsnctecess 4.26 4 2t, oMt Be oe eo ae Mea pF ARR LPUCOMMEN AS on -'.nosicsh ns dnsnasnanncnanceaocasssecsonsoscuesnnesaenosecsescees LY, .nashnks cones eedasaseespoeee os tk- texas Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit Remiz musculus................ RE econo scans ee Af. .. 10 cm DBH(diameter at breast height)), Markhamia platycalyx (11.8 per cent), Celtis durandii (10.9 per cent), Uvariopsis congensis (9.8 per cent), and Bosqueia phoberos (8.7 per cent) are common (Chapman ef al. in prep.). Observations of parrots were made between September 1987 and October 1991. However, the majority of the observations reported here centre on the peak of the P. microcarpa fruiting in August 1991 already mentioned. During the period of study, parrots were seen intermittently, and it was not 90 Colin A. Chapman, Lauren J. Chapman and Richard Wrangham uncommon for two to three months to pass without a single sighting. However, in August 1991 large flocks appeared in the area. Their appearance coincided with the production of a large fruit crop of P. microcarpa. The repeated occurrence of Grey Parrots in the same grove of these trees facilitated careful observations of their foraging behaviour and estimates of foraging flock size. Grey Parrot use of focal P. microcarpa trees was carefully quantified. To estimate the size of the entire flock using the P. microcarpa grove, we combined these data with casual observations of parrots in other trees and quantification of the number and size of all P. microcarpa trees in the area. Observations of P. microcarpa focal trees were started on 11 July 1991 before any animals started feeding on this species’ fruits, and ended on 25 September after frugivores ceased visiting. The focal P. microcarpa trees were observed on 59 d for an average of 4.82 h d! (+ 1.8 h, s.p., range = 1.1-10.7 h) producing a total of 285 h of observations. An attempt was made to spread observations throughout the daylight hours. During the period of parrot use (Fig. 1), one focal tree was observed every day, except on 12 August when the observers were unable to watch the tree (the number of parrots in the tree for this day was expressed as the average of the preceding and following day). The number of parrots in the focal tree and the number of birds that were feeding were determined every 15 min. Fruiting P. microcarpa trees occurred primarily in a 1-km? grove located in the southern section of the K30 forestry compartment (Struhsaker 1975, Skorupa 1988). To determine the density of P. microcarpa trees, this whole area was repeatedly searched for fruiting individuals. All fruiting trees found were individually numbered with aluminium tags, and their diameter at breast height was measured (DBH). DBH is a measure which has been shown to reflect the ability of a tree to produce fruit (Chapman et al. in prep.). To understand the responses of the Grey Parrots to changes in the relative abundance of P. microcarpa fruit, 20 trees were randomly selected from the list of all numbered trees. On the first day of each week between 17 July and 25 September, these trees were visited and the abundance of fruit in each was estimated and given a ranking between 0 and 4. To calculate the relative amount of fruit available to the parrots in a given week, we summed the product of the DBH and the Fruit Abundance Score for all 20 trees. We estimated the number of parrots using the area during the peak of P. microcarpa fruiting (8-17 August, Fig. 1) by extrapolating from the observations and calculating the proportion of the day that parrots were using the focal tree. This value was then multiplied by the average parrot flock size obtained from the focal tree observations and the number of fruiting P. microcarpa trees known to be fruiting in the area. The DBH of the focal tree observed during this period of peak parrot abundance was close to the average for the P. microcarpa grove (focal tree DBH = 220 cm; average for the grove = 180 cm, range = 60-300 cm). Thus, we did not compensate for differences in the size of the individual trees within the grove. Using these calculations to estimate parrot numbers assumes that when parrots were not in the focal P. microcarpa tree, they were feeding in another tree of the same species, and that the parrots were equally spread through the different trees. We believe the estimate obtained is a conservative one, since counting feeding parrots is difficult. In addition. some P. microcarpa trees may not have been found in our survey, and parrots may have been using other fruit or seed resources during the period of study. As part of a large scale study to understand the interaction between fruiting trees aa Feeding biology and population ecology of the Grey Parrot 91 frugivores in the Kibale Forest, we conducted a census of vertebrates along 26 randomly placed 100-m long transects in the study area. These censuses were initiated in May 1990 and continued on a monthly basis throughout the observation period. Ali vertebrates seen in trees with trunks within 5 m of each side of the transects were identified, and the tree that they were in was recorded. These data were used to assess seasonal visitation of Grey Parrots to the study area. Results and discussion Grey Parrots first fed in the focal tree on 29 July, 18 d after observations began. They continued to use the tree until 22 August, but peak used centred on 12 August (Fig. 1). After 22 August, parrots were not seen in the tree, and observations throughout the area suggested that they had left the grove. 2000 5000 1500 3 Number of parrot minutes eouepunge seipuodsopnesd jas 0 aaa Pareto ~— 29 Jul 3 Aug 8 Aug 13 Aug 18 Aug 22 Aug Figure 1. The number of Grey Parrot minutes per 12-h day (number of parrots x the length of time they were in the focal Pseudospondias microcarpa tree), relative to the estimated abundance of P. microcarpa fruit (sum of DBH x Fruit Abundance Rank) in the Kibale Forest Reserve, Uganda During the 10 d that parrots were seen in the focal tree, they spent an average of 48.9 min in the tree each day. The amount of time spent in the focal tree increased during the period of peak use (8-17 August) to 55.5 min. During these days, the composition of the flock in the tree was frequently changing as flocks of various sizes or single individuals arrived and departed. Parrots were often spread out through a number of trees, but were in vocal communication, for parrots would often call back and forth between adjacent trees. When Grey Parrots were in the focal tree, the flock size averaged 3.8 (+ 2.6, s.D.) and ranged between 1 and 10. During the period of peak use the size of the flocks increased only slightly to 3.9 (+ 2.6, s.p., range 1-10). During 92 Colin A. Chapman, Lauren J. Chapman and Richard Wrangham this period of peak use, the size of the Grey Parrot population using the area was estimated to be approximately 95 birds. Prior to the fruiting of P. microcarpa, Grey Parrots were never seen in trees during 14 months of vertebrate censuses conducted at Kanyawara. However, they were occasion- ally seen flying over the study area. The presence of parrots in the study area corresponded closely to the period where P. microcarpa fruit was available. However, the peak of parrot feeding in the focal tree appeared to be slightly after the peak availability of P. microcarpa fruit (Fig. 1). It may be that the focal tree had its peak in fruit abundance after the majority of the trees in the local population. However, it seems more likely that the parrots were tracking the availability of this fruit, but that the sampling of their entire range for new fruit crops may take some time, resulting in the occasional delay in recruitment to new fruiting trees. The parrots expertly peeled off some of the flesh of the fruit, cut through the thick seed coat, and consumed the embryo of the seed. Thus, the seeds manipulated by the parrots were killed and the parrots were acting as seed predators. They were never seen to carry seeds away from the canopy of the parent tree, but would frequently pick and drop seeds under the crown of the parent. An individual parrot was estimated to consume 5.2 seeds min". Thus, in the focal tree they consumed an estimated 9917 seeds (5.2 seeds min! x 48.9 min average stay x 3.9 birds (average flock size) x 10 d). The sudden appearance of an estimated 95 Grey Parrots, not normally seen in the Kibale Forest Reserve, suggests that a very large area is required to maintain this population. This has clear implications for the conservation needs of this species in Uganda. Acknowledgements This research was authorized and encouraged by the Office of the President, Uganda, the National Research Council, and the Ugandan Forest Department. We would like to express our gratitude to the Department of Zoology, Makerere University, to the directors of Makerere University Biological Field Station (A. Johns, G.I. Basuta), and to the New York Zoological Society for providing logistic support which made this project possible. Research was funded by a NSF grant, a National Geographic Society grant, an NSERC Post-Doctoral Fellowship (Canada), and a MacArthur Foundation Grant. We would like to thank Derek Pomeroy and Andrew Johns for encouraging us to conduct this study and for commenting on an earlier draft of the MS. References BuTYNsKI, T. 1990. Comparative ecology of blue monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis) in high- and low-density subpopulations. Ecological Monographs 60: 1-26. CHAPMAN, C.A., CHAPMAN, L.J. & WRANGHAM, R. in prep. The structure of neighboring tropical forests: Implications for frugivores. DowseTt, R.J. 1985. The conservation of tropical forest birds in central and southern Africa. ICBP Technical Publication 4: 197-212. Fry, C.H., Kerry, S. & URBAN, E.K. 1988. The birds of Africa. Vol III. London: Academic Press. Feeding biology and population ecology of the Grey Parrot 93 LinpsEY, G.D.; ARENDT, W.J., KALINA, J. & PENDELTON, G.W. 1991. Home range movements of juvenile Puerto Rican parrots. Journal of Wildlife Management. 55: 318-322. SkorupA, J.P. 1988. The effect of selective timber harvesting on rainforest primates in Kibale Forest, Uganda. PhD Dissertation, University of California, Davis. SNYDER, N.F.R., WILEY, J.W. & KeEpLer, C.B. 1987. The parrots of Luquillo: Natural history and conservation of the Puerto Rican parrot. Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, Los Angeles, California. STRUHSAKER, T.T. 1975. The red colobus monkey. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. STuART, S.N. 1985. Rare forest birds and their conservation in eastern Africa. ICBP Technical Publication 4: 187-196. Wine, L.D. & Buss, I.0O. 1970. Elephants and forest. Wildlife Monographs No. 19. Colin A. Chapman, Peabody Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA, Lauren J. Chapman, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA and Richard Wrangham, Peabody Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Scopus 16: 89-93, April 1993 Received 4 January 1992 Errata First record of the Black-billed [sic] Seed-cracker Pyrenestes ostrinus in Kenya by Terry Stevenson. Scopus 15: 133-134: the English name was given incorrectly throughout; it should be Black-bellied Seed-cracker. Birds of the main university campus in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a ringing study by Charles Mlingwa. Scopus 16: 50-54: p. 52, Orange Weaver Ploceus aurantius should have been Golden Weaver Ploceus subaureus. Notice: New Editorial Address Please note the new editorial address: Graeme Backhurst Editor, Scopus Box 15194 Nairobi Kenya 94 A. L. Archer and D. A. Turner Notes on the endemic species and some additional new birds occurring on Pemba Island, Tanzania A. L. Archer and D. A. Turner The island of Pemba, a mere 50 km offshore, is separated from the African mainland by a trough some 800 m deep. The estimates of the date of its separation from the mainland vary from the Miocene to the mid-Pleistocene period. Either way, Pemba has been an isolated oceanic island for a very long time, probably between 4 and 5 million years. This contrasts with Zanzibar which is thought to have been an island for only 10 000 to 100 000 years. As a result of its long isolation the avifauna of Pemba is unique, with a relatively high degree of endemism, although overall it is rather impoverished, lacking several families and species found on nearby Zanzibar and the Tanzanian mainland. Pemba is probably best known for its high density of clove plantations, but in addition it supports a number of other exotic plants and spices, an endemic palm Chrysalidocarpus pembanus and a small area of indigenous coastal forest. The avifaunas of both Pemba and Zanzibar have been discussed in detail by Vaughan (1929-30) and by Pakenham (1979) both of whom were resident on Pemba for several years. The purpose of this note is merely to comment on the endemic forms occurring on Pemba, and to up-date the current list of species recorded from the island following our visits there during December 1990, October 1992 and February 1993. It will also complement a more detailed paper on the birds of Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia islands (Archer, in prep.). White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus Vaughan (1929) collected a female of the nominate race on Pemba on 3 August 1928. This specimen is currently in the British Museum collection at Tring. Pakenham (1979), however, did not record the species during his service in the Sultanate (1929- 1956), possibly bécause of the hunting pressure during that period. However, shortly after the 1964 revolution, firearms were confiscated, as a result of which all waterfowl are now showing signs of recovery and an increase in numbers. On 12 October 1992 a group of 15 White-backed Ducks was observed on Mapungwi pond near Kangagani. The birds appeared to be much darker and blacker on the head and body than birds we are familiar with on the mainland; in fact, they reminded us of birds on Madagascar (T. l. insularis). While it is possible that this Indian Ocean race is now occurring on Pemba, specimen evidence is required for substantiation. Three birds were still present at Mapungwi pond in February 1993. Pemba Green Pigeon Treron pembaensis Widespread and locally common over much of Pemba, differing considerably in plumage from both the African Green Pigeon T. calva and the Madagascar Green Pigeon T. australis. Its dull slate-grey head, neck, breast and underparts contrast strongly against the greyish olive-green wings and upperparts. The bill is pale ivory in colour with a bright red cere, while thighs, legs and feet are bright yellow, and undertail coverts rich chestnut. The most commonly heard call is a soft ti#———kiuriuu (a 2-s gap between the first and last note), but with little or no harsh, grating notes so typical of the mainland T. calva. Pemba endemics and additional new birds 95 Goodwin (1967) noted the remarkable convergence of colouration between this and the SAo Tomé Green Pigeon T. sanctithomae, another island form but separated by the breadth of the African continent. Both these forms appear to have differentiated sufficiently to suggest long periods of continued isolation and, following Goodwin (1967, and in Snow 1978), and Urban et al. (1986) we feel it appropriate to treat pembaensis as a full species. Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba delegorguei An adult male and three presumed adult females were observed by ALA on 21 December 1990 feeding in a fruiting Trema tree in the Ngezi Forest. While the male showed a normal greyish head and white collar, the three presumed females (identical to one seen the previous day) had dark grey heads merging into greenish-bronze colour at the nape. Soft part colours were noted: eyes dark brown with an orange-brown orbital ring, bill blackish, legs pinkish maroon. In the race sharpei occurring in the Usambara Mountains on the mainland some 110 km to the west, females are distinctly coppery rufous-brown on the head, vastly different from the Pemba birds. Prior to these observations, there have been no records of the species from Pemba, and only one (a female, probably immature) from Zanzibar (19 January 1934: Pakenham 1979). Efforts to obtain specimens have been unsuccessful since none was seen during return visits to the area in October 1992 and February 1993. While it is possible that these birds may represent a hitherto undescribed race, specimen evidence is essential. Pemba Scops Owl Otus pembaensis A common and widespread species over much of the island in all areas of woodland, clove plantations, and in trees around villages. Well known to the local people, featuring prominently in their beliefs and witchcraft. Several were heard and observed in the Ngezi Forest during 6—7 October 1992 where calling started each evening at dusk (18:30) with a single bird uttering 4—5 loud hooting calls. Call notes were quite varied with the tempo changing frequently. Duetting was common, and with mating observed one one occasion, it was possible to determine that it is the male that gives the higher note, the female the lower one. As in several other species of scops owl, one rich orange-tawny individual was seen, while specimens of this morph were also examined from the collection housed in the Zanzibar Museum. _ Following Benson (1960), and coupled with the fact that there are several major differences between the calls of the Pemba bird and those of the Madagascar Scops Owl O. rutilus, we feel it appropriate to follow Fry et al. (1988) in treating pembaensis as a full species. African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus Over much of its range in East Africa the African Reed Warbler occurs in moist overgrown thickets and around swamp edges. On Zanzibar and Pemba islands Pakenham (1979) referred to the race suahelicus as a fairly common resident in gardens near the shore, mangrove swamps, and small bush-covered islets near the coast. He noted that it was tame in gardens, nesting in hibiscus, croton and oleander bushes, seldom in freshwater habitats. 96 A. L. Archer and D. A. Turner On 10 October 1992 we were surprised to find several, including a pair singing from the canopy, in a patch of dry forest on Misali Island, a small waterless coral rag island. Recordings were obtained of one individual that sang almost uninterrupted from 06:00— 11:00. While some authorities consider baeticatus to be conspecific with the Eurasian Reed Warbler A. scirpaceus, in the light of the atypical habitat and behaviour of the race suahelicus, we feel baeticatus should continue to be treated as a distinct species. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis The only cisticola recorded fram Pemba is C. juncidis, being common in all areas of open grassland. Pakenham (1979) commented on a melano-erythristic form occurring alongside and interbreeding with the normally coloured form. It was of interest, therefore, to confirm that this strange erythristic form still exists on the island when, on 13 October 1992, one of a pair showed indistinct blackish streaking along the upperparts on an overall chestnut-brown body plumage. Its mate had normal juncidis plumage, and, although the pair were seldom far apart they gave no indication to which sex either belonged. Such an unusual variation in plumage is not recorded in any other species of Cisticola, and in juncidis, nowhere other than on Pemba. Pemba White-eye Zosterops vaughani Common and widespread throughout Pemba and the smaller off-shore islands in all well timbered habitats. Although there are no Zosterops on Zanzibar, vaughani differs from Z. senegalensis anderssoni of coastal Tanzania and Z. senegalensis kirki of Grande Comore in having very prominent black lores, and a very small eye-ring, only visible when seen at close range. The song is typically Zosterops, but sufficiently distinct from senegalensis to warrant, in our view, retaining vaughani as a full species. Pemba Sunbird Nectarinia pembae Common and widespread throughout Pemba, ireladinet in all towns and villages, and on the smaller off-shore islands. While the mainland form chalcomelas was considered conspecific with pembae by Britton (1980), male and female pembae are very distinct from chalcomelas, both in size and plumage and in voice. Wing measurements of males range 51.5-53 mm (pembae) against 61-63.5 mm (chalcomelas) (Clancey & Williams 1957). Male pembae are frequently seen giving a loud distinctive and repetitive call note tslink-tslink-tslink from bare exposed branches of tall trees and this call is totally unlike any call of chalcomelas. Clancey & Williams (1957) discuss both pembae and chalcomelas along with the systematics of N. bifasciata, suggesting a possible link between pembae and notatus of Madagascar and the Comores. The following birds are additions to the Pemba avifauna as recorded by Pakenham (1979). Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia A single bird flying in company with a Great White Egret E. alba near Kangagani, 12 October 1992. This species has become established on Zanzibar since the mid 1970s. Pemba endemics and additional new birds 97 Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus One Ngezi Forest 5 February 1993. Common Pratincole Glareola pratincola A single immature at Kichanje pond on 13 October 1992. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis One on Kichanje pond, 13 October 1992. Also recorded recently from Zanzibar. Ruff Philomachus pugnax One Kichanje pond 13 October 1992. Also recorded on Zanzibar 5 November 1991. Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola Two held captive at Kiuyu Kwamade near Ngezi Forest on 5 February 1993. The owner claimed that he had trapped the birds locally, one about two years before. Mottle-throated Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri Two circling around mango trees at Mpakani village some 5 km NE of Wete on 13 October 1992. Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe An immature at Kichanje pond on 13 October 1992. Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Three pairs near Ngezi Forest, 20 December 1990, with a male carrying nesting material. Since then there have been several sightings in the area during October 1992 and February 1993 and a male was seen on Kokota island on 5 October 1992. Acknowledgements We wish to thank the Finnish International Development Agency (FINNIDA) and Mr Abdulrahman S. Issa, Director of the Environment, Commission of Lands and Environment, Zanzibar for their support and encouragement and for enabling us to visit Pemba Island. References Benson, C.W. 1960. The birds of the Comoro Islands: results of the British Ornithologists’ Union Centenary Expedition 1958. /bis 103b: 5-106. BriTTon, P.L. (ED) 1980. Birds of East Africa: their habitat, status and distribution. Nairobi: EANHS. Ciancey, P.A. & WILLIAMS, J.G. 1957. The systematics of the Little Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus (Shaw), with notes on its allies. Durban Museum NovitatesS (3): 27— 41. Fry, C.H., Keity, S. & Ursan, E.K. 1988. The birds of Africa. Vol 3. London: Academic Press. 98 A. L. Archer and D. A. Turner Goopwin, D. 1967. Pigeons and doves of the world. London: British Museum (Natural History). PAKENHAM, R.H.W. 1979. The birds of Zanzibar and Pemba. BOU check-list No. 2. London: BOU. Snow, D.W. (ED) 1978. An atlas of speciation in African non-passerine birds. London: British Museum (Natural History). URBAN, E.K., Fry, C.H. & KeiTu, S. 1986. The birds of Africa. Vol 2. London: Academic Press. VAUGHAN, J.H. 1929, 1930. The birds of Zanzibar and Pemba. /bis series 12 (5): 577-608; (6): 1-48. A. L. Archer, Box 15676, Nairobi and D. A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi Scopus 16: 94-98, April 1993 Received 29 March 1993 Short communications 99 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS A second record of the Northern White-tailed Bush Lark Mirafra albicauda in Ethiopia The Northern White-tailed Bush Lark Mirafra albicauda occurs primarily in Uganda, central Tanzania and west and central Kenya, with a population in Chad (Lewis & Pomeroy 1989). It is one of a group of small Mirafra species, difficult both to observe and to identify. Three species have been recorded in Ethiopia: M. albicauda, Singing Bush Lark M. cantillans and Friedmann’s Bush Lark M. pulpa. Their status in Ethiopia and known records are reviewed by Ash (1992), including the rediscovery in 1990 of M. albicauda at its only known Ethiopian site (Safford 1992); detailed here. Site details Before 1990 the only Ethiopian records of M. albicauda were four specimens from south and south-east of Lake Abaya collected in March 1912 by the Childs Frick expedition (Friedmann 1937). This area is now contained within Nechisar National Park (6°N, 37°E), which covers around 750 km? largely between Lakes Abaya and Chamo in the Rift Valley. Work carried out by six observers in Nechisar National Park between July and September 1990 (Duckworth et al. 1992) included a bird survey. The latter half of the period was spent partly on the Nechisar plains, a flat or undulating area of treeless, short grassland of about 270 km? at 1200 m elevation. Annual rainfall is between 800 and 1000 mm (data from Arba Minch state farm, about 15 km away but experiencing similar weather). The soil is a calcareous black clay of lacustrine origin (“black cotton” soil), with various grass species (Gramineae) no higher than 50 cm tall (see Evans et al. 1992). The 1990 records Only two species of lark were found within the Park. Flappet Larks M. rufocinnamomea occurred where there were scattered trees or bushes at the edge of the plains; Friedmann (1937) also recorded it in the area. A second species was found only in the most open parts of the plains. It was very difficult to observe, but appeared to be a small Mirafra. From available literature (notably Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1960)) and notes and photographs from previous examination of skins at the British Museum (Natural History), it could not be identified at the time, but the choice of known species was narrowed to the three listed above. The Ethiopian check-list (Urban & Brown 1971) listed none of these for the Rift Valley, gave only one record of M. pulpa and omitted M. albicauda entirely (the authors had, like us, overlooked the 1912 records), and so identifying this lark was clearly important. On one walk across the plains six birds were flushed in a few hundred metres; since birds only flew at close range (typically a few metres), they must have been locally abundant, despite their elusive- ness. For these reasons it was decided to collect one. A 12-m four-shelf mist net was rapidly set up after a bird was flushed a short distance and then the bird was driven into the net at the first attempt. The bird was measured, described and photographed when freshly dead and tentatively identified as M. albicauda by J. S. Ash, B. P. Hall, P. C. Lack, D. J. Pearson 100 Short communications (J. S. Ash in litt.) and myself. The specimen was later presented by the Natural History Museum of Addis Ababa and Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organisation to the British Museum (Natural History), specimen number 1991.12.1, where the identity was confirmed by comparison with one of the 1912 M. albicauda specimens (number USNM 246208) on loan (through the courtesy of Dr S. L. Olson) from the Smithsonian Institution, a photograph of a specimen of M. pulpa and skins of M. cantillans from elsewhere. The main diagnostic feature was the very dark, almost black, colour of the upperparts, fringed with cream to give a scaly appearance. M. pulpa is much more uniform and browner, whereas M. cantillans (of the race marginata, recorded closest to Nechisar: Urban & Brown (1971) is very similar (Hall & Moreau 1970; pers. obs.), sharing the scaly upperparts, but has consistently browner feather centres. The 1990 specimen fitted M. albicauda in this and all other respects, with discrepancies insignificant compared to the similarities: it may have been rather large (maximum wing chord when fresh 87 mm, unstretched wing of specimen 83 mm; Friedmann (1937) gave 77-84 mm for his series) and had a less obvious supercilium than the 1912 specimen. Other measurements (in mm) of the 1990 bird were: tail 49, culmen to feathering 13.0, bill to gape 16.6, bill depth at feathering 7.2, tarsus 22.6, hind-claw 8.5, longest primary tip 1 mm short of longest tertial. Birds were flushed from the ground, flying only a few metres with hesitant wingbeats or wings held out stiffly below horizontal, before dropping slowly (almost hovering) out of sight, back into the grass, but occasionally they landed in small patches of bare earth where they could be watched briefly. Several times two were seen, but not associating particularly closely. No call or song was heard. Discussion M. albicauda seemed to occur only on the plains and no similar habitat was seen near the Park, so this population is probably isolated. When Bolton (1970) visited Nechisar in 1969 and 1970, thousands of cattle were being grazed by nomadic pastoralists on the plains, resulting in severe habitat degradation by overgrazing and trampling. The lark population has evidently survived, thanks to effective management of the National Park the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organisation, and in 1990 the plains were no longer being used for grazing and had probably reverted to a more natural condition. There is much variation within some lark species depending on the colour of the soil on which they live; the dark M. albicauda blends in well at Nechisar. It is part of a superspecies with M. cantillans, and the difference in song and display flight between the two forms confirms that they are good species (Hall & Moreau 1970). Acknowledgements Permission to undertake the survey of Nechisar National Park was granted by the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organisation (EWCO), who also granted permission to take the specimen; its staff provided help in numerous other ways, at Nechisar and in Addis Ababa. EWCO and the Natural History Museum of Addis Ababa authorised export of the specimen to the British Museum (Natural History). The survey was supported by many organisations, including: Fauna and Flora Preservation Society, International Council for Bird Preservation, Percy Sladen Memorial Fund and People’s Trust for Endangered Species. J. S. Ash, P. R. Colston, B. P. Hall, P. C. Lack, S. L. Short communications 101 Olson and D. J. Pearson gave specific help with this record. Chemere Zewdie, Will Duckworth, Mike Evans, Mark Telfer and Rob Timmins helped make observations. References Asu, J.S. 1992. Northern White-tailed Bush Lark Mirafra albicauda, Singing Bush Lark M. cantillans and Friedmann’s Bush Lark M. pulpa in Ethiopia. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 112: 247-250. Botton, M. 1970. Rift Valley lakes ecological survey. Report 4: the Nachisar [sic] plains. Unpublished report to Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organisation, Addis Ababa, Ethio- pia. DuckwortTH, J.W., EvANs, M.I., SAFFORD, R.J., TELFER, M.G., TIMMINS, R.J. & ZEwpE, C. 1992. A survey of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia. International Council for Bird Preservation Study Report 50: 1-132. Evans, M.I., ZEwpIE, C. & SAFFORD, R.J. 1992. The vegetation of Nechisar National Park. Pp. 7-11 of Duckworth et al. 1992, q.v.. FRIEDMANN, H. 1937. Birds collected by the Childs Frick expedition to Ethiopia and Kenya Colony. Part 2. Bulletin of the United States National Museum, Washington 153: 1-506. HALL, B.P. & Moreau, R.E. 1970. An atlas of speciation in African passerine birds. British Museum (Natural History), London. Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam/Brookfield. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1960. Birds of eastern and north-eastern Africa. Volume 2. Longman, London. SAFFORD, R.J. 1992. An overview of the birds of Nechisar National Park. Pp 40-48 of Duckworth et al. 1992, q.v.. URBAN, E.K. & Brown, L.H. 1971. A checklist of the birds of Ethiopia: Addis Ababa: Haile Selassie I University Press. Roger J. Safford, 16 Berwyn Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 5BS, England Scopus 16: 99-101, April 1993 Received 13 July 1992 The spread of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus indicus in Africa with new records from Tanzania Harwin & Irwin (1966) and Summers-Smith (1988) summarized what was known about the introduction and subsequent explosive dispersal of House Sparrow Passer domesticus indicus in southern and central Africa. We briefly review these important contributions and present new distributional records from southwestern Tanzania. The first introductions of House Sparrow were made in the 1890s and early 1900s in the Republic of South Africa. Individuals of the eastern subspecies P. d. indicus were released at Durban, and nominate P. d. domesticus from western Europe were released at East London. Later, indicus was also released at East London, where it interbred with domesticus.. In 1955 domesticus was released at Maputo (= Lourenco Marques) in Mogambique. It spread throughout the city but did not appear to be colonizing new 102 Short communications areas (Harwin & Irwin 1966). Clancey (1971) mentioned a sight record, possibly of domesticus, from Xai- Xai north- | east of Maputo that could have TANZANIA originated with these birds, however. Dispersal of House Sparrows (subspecies indicus ) along the coast and into Natal and other parts of South Africa continued | at a slow but steady pace dur- e Njombe i ing the first five decades after its release. In the 1950s this Tundunta spread became explosive. Colo- nization of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Zaire, Mocgambique, and Malawi fol- Dar es Salaam Sumbawanga Figure 1. Localities in southwestern Tanzania lowed over the next 25 years and northern Zambia where the House Sparrow (Benson & Benson 1975, Passer domesticus indicus has been recorded Clancey 1971, Dowsett 1971, Donnelly 1974, Harwin & Irwin 1966, Irwin 1981, Maclean 1985, Payne & Payne 1967, Summers-Smith 1988). House Sparrows were first seen in southern Zambia in 1965, and the first nests were found at Livingstone in 1966 (Brooke 1967, Harwin & Irwin 1966). By 1971 House Sparrows had reached Mbala in northern Zambia, 25 km from the border of Tanzania (Dowsett 1971, 1976, Tucker 1972). In East Africa, House Sparrows (subspecies indicus) were introduced at Zanzibar and Mombasa sometime early in this century (Jackson 1938, Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1955). Although House Sparrows became well established in Zanzibar town (Pakenham 1979), they did not do well in Mombasa. Lack of records from the early part of this century to the 1970s may indicate that the initial introduction at Mombasa failed (see Lewis 1983 and citations therein). Recent records may represent birds that colonized from elsewhere and became established. In the last decade the Mombasa population has undergone a large increase followed by dispersal. Colonization of coastal areas in Kenya, inland movements, and a few records in Somalia have been documented (Lewis 1983, Ash & Miskell 1988). House Sparrows were not known from West Africa until 1970 when they appeared unexpectedly in Dakar, Senegal (Morel 1988). Since then, House Sparrows (most probably indicus) have spread along major trade routes east and south to The Gambia and north along the Senegal—Mauritania border. The origin of this invasion is not known but may have been of birds released from ships (Morel 1988). Zanzibar town was the only locality in Tanzania from which Britton (1980) recorded House Sparrow. Forbes-Watson (1972) stated that it was successful in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. However, mainland Tanzania records from the 1970s are lacking, and it is doubtful that the House Sparrow was “‘successful” in Dar es Salaam at this time (Pakenham 1979). A comprehensive list of birds from Dar es Salaam area (until 1979) gave no records of this species (Harvey & Howell 1987). The first documented records Short communications 103 from mainland Tanzania were of several pairs seen by K. M. Howell and C. A. Msuya at Dar es Salaam in 1984 (Stevenson & Pearson 1986). By the early 1990s House Sparrows were common in most parts of the city, particularly around the docks. There has been no evidence of dispersal from the coastal invasion to inland towns. However, if the pattern of colonization in Tanzania follows that of this species in the rest of Africa, it can be expected to appear soon in towns along major roads and railway lines into the hinterland. Although House Sparrows reached the border between Tanzania and Zambia in the early 1970s, up to 1976 there were still no records from southern Tanzania (Dowsett 1976). The figure documenting House Sparrow dispersal in Africa in Summers-Smith (1988) showed House Sparrows arriving in southern Tanzania in the early 1980s, but there are no records to support this. The first records of House Sparrows were made by ES, who found a pair at Tukuyu in April 1987 and 2-3 pairs at Kyela and Njombe in June 1987. Since then House Sparrow populations have been increasing at those localities and in other major towns in the South (Figure 1). On 15 February 1989, 3-4 House Sparrows were in residence at the Moravian Hostel in Mbeya. By 1990 they had colonized Mbalizi, 13 km south of Mbeya, where at least 20 birds were resident and breeding on the compound of Mbalizi garage. During August and November 1991, a pair appeared at Igogwe but stayed only 1-2 days. One route for the predicted invasion of southwest Tanzania by House Sparrows was along the road from Mbala, Zambia, to Sumbawanga (Britton 1980, Tucker 1972). Although House Sparrows reached Mbala (23 km from the Tanzania border) as early as 1971, there were still no records from Sumbawanga up to the end of 1989. The first House Sparrows at Sumbawanga were found by DM on 11 October 1990. Three birds, a male and two females, were seen on the south side of town near large warehouses used for grain storage. These birds may have been the first to reach Sumbawanga and most probably came from Mbala 130 km to the south. However, it is possible that they came from Mbeya or Tunduma 230 km to the east. House Sparrows are an increasingly common breeding species in urban centres in southwest Tanzania and on the coast at Dar es Salaam. At Mbalizi, House Sparrows outnumber Grey-headed Sparrows Passer griseus five to one. They appear to co-exist without much aggressive interaction, feeding together in small flocks on the ground and perching together on overhead wires (see also Lewis 1983). What affect the invasion of House Sparrows will have on indigenous species is not yet known, but it is unlikely to be serious. One reason for this is that House Sparrows throughout Africa have colonized European style towns and urban areas rather than villages and natural habitats. Few indigenous species have been able to colonize urban areas, so competi- tion there is minimal (Irwin 1981). Benson et al. (1971) suggested that House Sparrows might have an adverse affect on Grey-headed Sparrows because both species use similar nest sites on buildings. Observations by Penry (1978) support this. Beginning shortly after the colonization by House Sparrows, Penry (1978) recorded the relative abundance of this species and of Grey-headed Sparrows over a six-year period on the hospital compound at Kitwe, Zambia. During this time a complete reversal in numbers of breeding birds was recorded. For the first three years Grey-headed Sparrows outnumbered House Sparrows by ten to one, in the fifth year there was an increase in House Sparrow numbers, and by the sixth year the relative abundance of the two species was completely reversed, with House Sparrows outnumbering Grey-headed Sparrows ten to one. 104 Short communications House Sparrows (subspecies indicus) in India, Kenya, Mocambique, and Senegambia have multiple broods and may breed throughout the year if conditions are favourable, whereas Grey-headed Sparrows are seasonal breeders (Clancey 1971, Lewis 1983, Morel 1988, Penny 1974). If House Sparrows are breeding when Grey-headed Sparrows come into breeding condition, Grey-headed Sparrows may have a more difficult time obtaining nest sites. When densities of House Sparrows are low, nest site availability would probably not be an adverse factor in breeding success of Grey- headed Sparrows. When densities of House Sparrows increase, however, densities of Grey-headed Sparrows may decrease locally because of pre-emption of nest sites by House Sparrows. In addition to urban areas, Grey-headed Sparrows are found in woodland and villages in southern Tanzania. The most common nest sites used are holes under the eves of buildings. Other nest sites include: holes in dead trees, dense thorn tangles in Acacia trees, and introduced fir trees (Penry 1978, D. Moyer unpublished data). Because House Sparrows generally colonize urban areas, it is possible that an increase in their numbers will restrict Grey-headed Sparrows to the more rural areas and “traditional” nest sites. It would be interesting to record population trends of urban Grey-headed Sparrows as House Sparrows colonize new areas in Tanzania and increase in abun- dance. It would be particularly informative to obtain comparative data from areas, such as Sumbawanga, where the year of colonization by House Sparrows is known, and which had a high population of Grey-headed Sparrows at that time. References Asu, J.S. & MISKELL, J.E. 1988. House Sparrows Passer domesticus in Somalia. Scopus 11: 96-97. BENSON, C.W. & BENSON, F.M. 1975. Studies of some Malawi birds. Arnoldia 7(32): 1-27. BENSON, C.W., BROOKE, R.K. IRwin, M.P.S. & DowsettT, R.J. 1971. The Birds of Zambia. London: Collins. BriTToN, P.L. (ED.) 1980. The Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: East Africa Natural History Society. Brooke, R.K. 1967. Further breeding records from Zambia (No. 6). Bulletin of the British Ornithologists Club 87: 120-122. Ciancey, P.A. 1971. Handlist of the birds of southern Mocambique. Lourengo Marques (Maputo): Instituto de Investigag4o Cientifica de Mocambique. DonnELLY, B.G. 1974. New distributional data: 5—House Sparrow, Passer domesticus. Ostrich 45: 137-138. DowsETT, R.J. 1971. The spread of the House Sparrow in Zambia. Bulletin of the Zambian Ornithological Society 3: 50-52. DowsetTt, R.J. 1976. The further spread of the House Sparrow in Zambia. Bulletin of the Zambian Ornithological Society 8: 2-6. ForBEs-WAtTson, A.D. 1972. Birds naturalised in East Africa. EANHS Bulletin 1972: 144-145. Harvey, W.G. & Howe.L, K.M. 1987. Birds of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Gerfaut 77: 205— 258. HARWIN, R.M. & IRWIN, M.P.S. 1966. The spread of the House Sparrow, Passer LTBES oss in south-central Africa. Arnoldia 2 (24): 1-17. Irwin, M.P.S. 1981. The birds of Zimbabwe. Harare: Quest Publishing. Short communications 105 JACKSON, F.J. 1938. The birds of Kenya Colony and Uganda Protectorate. London: Gurney and Jackson. Lewis, A.D. 1983. Range extension and population increase of the House Sparrow in Kenya. Scopus 7: 23-26. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1955. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. Series 1, Vol. 2. London: Longman, Green & Co. MacLean, G.L. 1985. Robert’s Birds of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Bird Book Fund. Moret, M. 1988. Successful establishment of the House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, in Senegambia, pp. 159-162 in Proceedings of the Sixth Pan African Ornithological Congress. Nairobi: Sixth PAOC Organizing Committee. -PAKENHAM, R.H.W. 1979. The birds of Zanzibar and Pemba. British Ornithologists’ Union, Checklist No. 2. PAYNE, R.B. & Payne, K. 1967. House Sparrows reach the Zambezi River in Mocambique. Ostrich 38: 283-284. Penny, M. 1974. The birds of the Seychelles and the outlying. islands. London: Collins. Penry, E.H. 1978. The House Sparrow—a successful opportunist? Bulletin of the Zambian Ornithological Society 10: 25-27. STEVENSON, T. & PEARSON, D.J. 1986. in East African Bird Report 1984, Species Report. Scopus 8: 104-123. SUMMERS-SMITH, J.D. 1988. The Sparrows: a study of the genus Passer. Calton: T. & A. D. Poyser. Tucker, J.J. 1972. The sparrows are coming! EANHS Bulletin. 1972: 14. David C. Moyer, Museum of Natural Science and Department of Zoology and Physiology, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803- 3216, USA and Etienne Sion, Box 179, Mbeya, Tanzania Scopus 16: 101-105, April 1993 Received 23 May 1991, revised 19 September 1992 A new location for the Ankober Serin Serinus ankoberensis near Debre Sina, Ethiopia While on a field trip with the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society to Debre Sina on 26 October 1991, I was able to stop at the view point 3-4 km before the Mussolini Tunnel, above and south of Debre Sina town. At this point on the eastern escarpment of the western highland massif, the rock cliffs of the escarpment are broken by a deep, narrow ravine, with steeply shelving, near vertical sides. The ravine is as little as 30-40 m wide in places, though it is considerably wider at the escarpment rim. The altitude is approximately 3250 m. In this ravine I watched a number of small serins Serinus sp., which I subsequently identified as Ankober Serins Serinus ankoberensis. The birds were watched from 15:00 to 15:20 at distances between 20 and 100 m from above, in sunny, windy conditions through 10 x 40 binoculars. 106 Short communications The following observations and comments are based on notes made at the time. Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1960) and Ash (1979) were to hand and were consulted immediately after the sighting: More than 20, possibly as many as 40, small serins were watched feeding individu- ally and in small groups, typically on grass and lichen-covered rocks, but also on small areas of open earth and on bare rock surfaces at between 20 and approximately 100 m below the rim of the ravine. Occasionally individuals alighted on almost vertical rock faces. None of the birds settled for long at any one site. They gave the impression of sitting very ‘flat’ on the rocks. They were restless, always on the move, individually and in groups, flitting from rock to rock, flying up, circling and alighting at anything up to 50 m away, occasionally disappearing out of sight round the escarpment rim. A two- note call was made by some birds in flight. One bird, probably of this species, was seen to fly up underneath an overhanging clump of grass on the southern side of the gully. Although it was not possible to positively identify this individual, the behaviour appears to match a pattern of S. ankoberensis noted by Ash (1979). Description: warmish brown above, streaked paler. Tail brown with the outer feathers (seen from above and in flight) paler. No obvious white supercilium. Crown strongly streaked white or pale on dark brown or black. Pale face with darker streaks on the sides. Some individuals appeared to have pale chins in flight. In flight the birds appeared merely greyish below, though darker streaking was visible on those birds that flew within close range. These birds in particular gave the impression of having brown mantles and grey plumage below. I considered, and subsequently rejected, two other species—Streaky Seed-eater S. Striolatus and Streaky-headed Seed-eater §. reichardi—for the following reasons: the Streaky Seed-eater is a fatter, dumpier bird with a typically more upright appearance. It has a prominent whitish supercilium and overall greyish-brown, as opposed to brown, mantle. The birds seen near Debre Sina, however, were warm brown on the mantle which was streaked with a paler colour. They had no prominent supercilia and appeared to sit very ‘flat’ on the rocks. Streaky Seed-eaters were seen commonly elsewhere during the same weekend, typically feeding on or near the tops of shrubs “4-1 m in height. When disturbed, they flew to cover in shrubs nearby, but they were never seen to land on rocks or to be associated with rock faces. No Streaky Seed-eaters were seen in the ravine in question. The Streaky-headed Seed-eater has a prominent white supercilium, a characteristic absent from the birds above Debre Sina and it also lacks the warm brown pale-streaked mantle of the Ankober Serin. On the basis of the above description and field notes, together with reference to Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1960) and Ash (1979), I identified the birds as Ankober Serins. The significance of this sighting is that it represents only the second known locality for this Ethiopian endemic species. The three other previous records are from a narrow strip along the escarpment edge between 3 and 8 km north of Ankober in an area of not more than 5 km? (Ash & Gullick 1979). The present record represents a range extension of some 15 km north. It is quite possible that the species exists in similar habitat throughout the area along the escarpment rim. However, the area north of Ankober is gradually being modified under pressure from increased grazing on the slopes below the escarpment rim, from increased cereal cultivation, and from a eucalyptus planting project on the slopes in the area where Ash (1979) originally found the species. I hope Short communications 107 to be able to explore the area more thoroughly to plot the species’ distribution, assess its numbers and identify possible threats. References Asu, J.S. 1979. A new species of serin from Ethiopia. [bis 121: 1—7. Asu, J.S. & Gutuick, T.M. 1989. The present situation regarding the endemic breeding birds of Ethiopia. Scopus 13: 90-96. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1960. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. Vol 2. London: Longmans. John D. Atkins, clo FCO (Addis Ababa), King Charles Street, London SW1IA 2AH, England Scopus 16: 105-107, April 1992 Received 2 September 1992 Some notes on Black Ducks Anas sparsa Black Ducks Anas sparsa of the race leucostigma occur on forested mountain streams from southern Sudan (Nikolaus 1989), through the highlands of Ethiopia (Urban & Brown 1971) south to Tanzania (Britton 1980). They may occur in isolated forests as on Ol Doinyo Orok in southern Kenya (Bennun et al. 1986) as well as in larger forests, as on the Mau watershed (Betts 1962). Although typically birds of forested fast-flowing highland rivers, Black Ducks often occur on small dams in the vicinity of streams and may wander to seasonal pools or rivers at lower elevations (Britton 1980). Lewis & Pomeroy (1989) give one striking example of this involving a pair seen by J.S.S. Beesley at about 600 m on the Tiva River in Tsavo National Park (East), while Stuart & Simkin (1981) recorded one at 500 m on the Dodwe River near Amani, East Usambaras, northeastern Tanzania. Black Ducks may also occur well away from forest on moorland streams and tarns and on rivers flowing through open grassland, as in the Aberdares and Kinangop plateau in central Kenya (pers. obs.), and even on polluted, often mainly treeless rivers as flow through the city of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia (Pain et al. 1975). Brown et al. (1982) described the habits of Black Ducks as well known, but the following observations, mainly from the Aberdares and Gatamayu Forest in Kenya and from rivers in Addis Ababa, provide some additional information, and contrast with some other records. Feeding behaviour and food Brown et al. (1982) noted that Black Ducks feed by dabbling, head-dipping and upending, to remove weeds from river beds, and that the diet consists mainly of vegetable matter and chironomid larvae and pupae, with occasional small fish. On well-vegetated moorland pools in the Aberdares and on a small dam near Kericho in western Kenya, dabbling and upending were the most frequently observed method, but on rivers, birds were also often seen diving. They did this in grossly polluted rivers 108 Short communications in Addis Ababa as well as in deep pools on clear mountain rivers. On these fast-flowing rivers there is little in the way of aquatic vegetation, other than algae and bryophytes, on which the duck could feed. Here they may probe amongst rocks and turn over stones on the river bed, probably taking invertebrates such as caddis larvae and crustaceans. Blue Ducks Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos, which occupy a similar niche on rivers in New Zealand, take small caddis larvae and probably diatoms and algae (M. Williams, in litt., Kear & Burton 1971). On rivers in Addis Ababa, notably the Bulbula River, the water is grey-brown organic ‘soup’, low in oxygen, and with no macrophytic aquatic plants. It does contain much organic matter and algae, and abundant chironomid larvae in the mud on the river bed, all of which may form food for Black Ducks. A family of Black Ducks observed here from 17—26 January 1990 fed mainly by dabbling and head-dipping, but diving was occasionally observed and the male often sifted through mud at the river edge, presumably taking chironomid larvae. Behaviour Black Ducks are generally shy, submerging or swimming quickly to the bank when disturbed and hiding under an overhang or in streamside vegetation, or swimming rapidly away from the intruder. Less often they take to the wing and fly away low over the river. They do become habituated, though, to the presence of people and a pair observed on the Bulbula River in January 1990 allowed observations from only 20— 30 m. The pair on the Bulbula had well grown young. The female, throughout two days (17 and 26 January) of observation, from dawn to near dusk, and for an hour’s observation on 25 January, remained on the same 10-m stretch of river with her six young. She was constantly alert and if danger threatened (an approaching dog or human) she shep- herded the ducklings to the cover of a thick clump of water bistort Polygonum sp. Here they spent much of the day, emerging at intervals to upend, dabble or dive near the female. She remained on the river within a metre of the bistort clump. She spent little time feeding (less than 10 per cent), instead constantly looking around and guarding the young. A brief nodding greeting ceremony between the male and female was observed. Once she moved about 5 m from the ducklings to attack a Black Kite Milvus migrans which had landed by the river. By contrast, the male, recognizable by the greater amount of pink on the upper mandible, spent most of his time feeding, or preening on a nearby shoal. He moved 2-3 m from his mate, but never further away, and was in constant attendance throughout the periods of observation. In November 1974 to January 1975 males had also been seen during the day within 10 m of females and young on the River Akaki in Addis Ababa. This behaviour is unlike that described by Brown et al. (1982) who noted that males often join females and young at dusk to roost but rarely accompany them during the day. Breeding Brown et al. (1982) gave dates of laying in Ethiopia as January to July, and in Kenya as December to February, June to July and October, these months being mainly outside the _ rains. The Black Duck on the Bulbula River in Addis Ababa had six well grown young in January. They were almost the same size as the adults but their flight feathers were not yet fully grown. On 17 January no white spots were visible on the ducklings, which had barred flanks and under tail coverts, but on 26 January spots were evident on the upperparts of the ducklings’ plumage. They had no down which is shed after 40—70 d Short communications 109 (Brown et al. 1982) but did not have fully developed plumage, which occurs at 86 d; their age from their size was estimated, therefore, to be between 60 and 80 d. Allowing 28 d for incubation and 1 d for each egg laid, this pair probably started laying in October, just at the end of the long rains. The clutch size is 4-8 (Brown et al. 1982). To produce six well grown young suggests few predators or a high degree of parental care. Broods seen on the River Akaki in Ethiopia in 1974 and 1975 also indicated laying dates from October to December (Pain et al. 1975), after the end of the long rains, and before the laying dates given for Ethiopia by Brown et al. The behaviour of a pair of Black Ducks on a moorland pool on the Aberdares in December 1989 indicated that they may have had a nest. One adult was observed upending on the pool. It then cautiously moved to the moorland at the edge, looked around, climbed out on to the bank and disappeared into a clump of heather. After two to three minutes, it, or a different bird, emerged from the heather and moved out on to the pool. The ground below the heather was then checked for a nest and after a minute spent searching, a second duck was flushed from the vegetation. No nest was found but there were numerous grass tussocks and clumps of heather in or under which a nest could have been. Further searching was abandoned for fear of causing the duck to desert. References Brown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEWMAN, K. 1982. The birds of Africa Vol I. London: Academic Press. Betts, F.N. 1962. Resident breeding birds of south west Kenya. /bis 108: 513-530. BENNUN, L.A., GICHUKI, C., DARLINGTON, J. & NG’weENo, F. 1986. The avifauna.of Ol Doinyo Orok, a forest island: initial findings. Scopus 10: 83-86. Kear, J. & Burton, P.J.K. 1971. The food and feeding apparatus of the Blue Duck Hymenolaimus. Ibis 113: 483-493. Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A bird atlas of Kenya. Rotterdam: Balkema. Pain, H., TyLer, S.J. & Vitrery, A. 1975. A checklist of the birds of Addis Ababa. A publication of the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society. Niko.aus, G. 1989. Birds of south Sudan. Scopus Special Supplement No. 3. STUART, S.N. & SIMKIN, J.M. 1981. In ‘East African Bird Report 1980’. Scopus 4: 105. URBAN, E.K. & Brown, L.H. 1971. A checklist of the birds of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa: Haile Selassie I University Press. Dr Stephanie J. Tyler, Yewtree Cottage, Lone Lane, Penault, Gwent NP5 4AJ, Wales Scopus 16: 107-109, April 1993 Received 27 May 1991 A commensal feeding association between African Spoonbills Platalea alba and Great White Egrets Egretta alba in Tanzania On 2 December 1979, while observing birds at the edge of the swamp in Katavi National Park near Mpanda in southwestern Tanzania, I noted four African Spoonbills Platalea alba alighting close to a Great White Egret Egretta alba. The egret was 110 Short communications feeding actively in shallow water. The four spoonbills followed the egret closely, and darted forward repeatedly to peck at items behind and around its feet. This deliberate behaviour, which continued for more than ten minutes, resembled that described by Lewis (1989) between a Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis and an Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta. Presumably the spoonbills were profiting from invertebrates or small fish disturbed by the egret’s movements. Brown et al. (1982) describe African Spoonbills as feeding alone or in small groups of up to six or even ten birds, usually sweeping their bills from side to side for invertebrates, but sometimes darting about rapidly like a Little Egret E. garzetta catching fish. The spoonbills’ behaviour at Katavi was akin to the latter activity, but their association with another species was not recorded by Brown et al. Nor do Cramp & Simmons (1977) mention such commensal behaviour in the Eurasian Spoonbill P. leucorodia. References Brown, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEwMaN, K. The birds of Africa. Vol 1. London: Academic Press. Cramp, S. & SIMMONS, K.E.L. (EDs) 1977. The birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol I. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Lewis, A.D. 1989. Two commensal feeding associations observed in Kenya. Scopus 12: 102-103. Dr Stephanie J. Tyler, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Wales Office, Bryn Aderyn, The Bank, Newtown, Powys SY16 2AB, Wales Scopus 16: 109-110, April 1993 Received 16 November 1990 Interactions between Giant and Pied Kingfishers Megaceryle maxima and Ceryle rudis Kleptoparasitism or piracy, where one species steals food from another, is widespread among birds, notably raptors, skuas and gulls. Whilst some species obtain much of their food by piracy, others are opportunists, having many different feeding strategies. Among kingfishers, piracy appears to be rare, so the following observation may be worth recording. During a weekend in February 1990 I noted frequent attacks by Pied Kingfishers Ceryle rudis on a Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima at Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Both species were feeding in shallow water where the rising lake water had flooded grassland with scattered Sesbania trees. The Giant Kingfisher spent most of the time perching in one of these trees, flying down to catch prey from the water. Whenever it flew back up from the water with food, usually two Pied Kingfishers appeared and relentlessly pursued it through the trees and over a nearby papyrus Cyperus papyrus swamp. Whilst it was not always possible to witness the outcome of these pursuits, on several occasions the Giant Kingfisher was forced to abandon its prey. Short communications 111 It is possible that the Pied Kingfishers were being aggressive towards the larger species, rather than practising piracy. Other kingfishers have been observed chasing predators or other birds. For example, P. W. Greig-Smith (in Cramp 1985) noted Grey- headed Kingfishers Halcyon leucocephala driving off various species of bird by chasing and swooping attacks. The Eurasian Kingfisher Alcedo atthis may harass and drive off passerines, especially if these are ‘trespassing’ on favourite perches (Boag 1982), whilst Pied Kingfishers have been recorded mobbing Eurasian Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus (H-U. Reyer, in Cramp 1985) and rushing out at other predators (Douthwaite 1978). However, the attacks by Pied Kingfishers on the Giant Kingfisher at Lake Naivasha were only observed when the larger species actually caught prey. At other times it was ignored by the Pied Kingfishers. The interactions are therefore believed to be an example of kleptoparasitism in kingfishers. It is of interest that Pearce (1983) recorded the reverse situation—an African Giant Kingfisher kleptoparasitizing a Pied Kingfisher. In that instance, on three occasions when the latter species flew back to its perch with a fish, a Giant Kingfisher flew across from a nearby fence post along a stream and snatched the fish from it. Perhaps at Naivasha the Pied Kingfishers, by acting together, were able to steal food from the Giant Kingfisher. References Boac, D. 1982. The Kingfisher. Blandford: Poole. Cramp, S. (ED) 1985. Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol IV. Oxford: Oxford University Press. DoutTuwalte, R.J. 1978. Breeding biology of the Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis on Lake Victoria. Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum 166: 1-12. PEARCE, S. 1983. Newsletter, National Museums of Kenya Department of Ornithology p. 40. Dr Stephanie J. Tyler, Yewtree Cottage, Lone Lane, Penault, Gwent NP5 4AJ, Wales Scopus 16: 110-111, April 1993 Received 27 May 1991 On the racial status of the White-eared Barbet Stactolaema leucotis in coastal Tanzania Fry et al. (1988) follow Britton (1980) in including the Pugu Hills (6°46S, 39°13E) within the range of the northern race of the White-eared Barbet Stactolaema leucotis kilimensis, thus extending the range some 205 km south from the East Usambara mountains. The record forming the basis of these statements is from Harvey & Howell (1987) who stated “vagrant, recorded only January 1973 in forests (WGH & R. Stjernstedt).” but Harvey & Howell gave no indication of the race referred to. Ten years of research in the Pugu Hills since 1981 have not added a single record of the species (pers. obs.). Recent studies in four other coastal forests between Pugu and 112 Short communications East Usambara have also failed to locate this species (Burgess et al. 1990, Faldborg et al. 1990, and pers. obs.). The single sighting of Harvey and Stjernstedt was assumed to have been of a wanderer in January, although Brown & Britton (1980) give October to January as the peak breeding season for this race, and wandering then would, perhaps, be unusual. On 17 February 1990 in riverine forest in the Matumbi Hills (8°18S, 39°12E), adjacent to the Kiwengoma Forest Reserve, several individuals of the race leucogrammica were observed in good light through a x30 telescope at a range of 60 m. The broad white streaking through the ear coverts and distinct white streaking on the crown were clearly visible. During the following two weeks there were several additional sightings in the area (S. J. Davies, pers. comm.). This record is some 200 km southwest of the Uluguru Mountains and Kimboza Forest Reserve, and 270 km west of Mahenge, the closest forest blocks from which the race leucogrammica is known (Stuart & Jensen 1985, Fry et al. 1989). There are, however, several extensive forests on high ground in the Selous Game Reserve midway between the Matumbi Hills and Mahenge which have not yet been surveyed ornithologically, and which might provide suitable habitat. The Pugu Hills lie only 132 km west of Kimboza Forest Reserve on the eastern slopes of the Uluguru Mountains, with no high ground in between. There are, however, several riverine forest strips that would facilitate movement across the area. I suggest, therefore, that the old record from the Pugu Hills is more likely to have been leucogrammica than kilimensis. White (1965) gives the range for kilimensis as extending throughout the coastal lowlands from Usambafa to the Lurio River in northern Mocgambique. The only known suitable forest habitat in southeastern Tanzania is the Litipo Forest Reserve and the Rondo Plateau. On the Rondo Plateau, the only barbet is the restricted race of the Green Barbet S. olivacea woodwardi and no barbets have been recorded at Litipo during recent visits (Holsten et al. 1991, Bagger et al. 1989, Faldborg et al. 1990). It seems likely that the gap shown in Fry et al. (1988) between the southern nominate race in north-central Mocgambique and Jeucogrammica is a true one, although no work has been undertaken in northeastern Mocambique. References BaGGER, J., HALBERG, K. & NnyiTi, P.Y. 1990. Observations of birds in Rondo and Litipo Forests S.E. Tanzania. ICBP Danish Section. Burcgss, N.D., HuxHaM, M.R., Muincwa, C.O.F., Davis, S.G.F. & Cutts, C.J. 1991. Preliminary assessment of forest birds in Kiono, Pande, Kisiju and Kiwengoma coastal forests, Tanzania. Scopus 14: 97-106. FALDBORG, J., HALBERG, K., BRAMMER, F. & ERIKSEN, T. 1990. Observations of birds and mammals in six coastal forests of Tanzania. ICBP Danish Section. Harvey, W.G. & HoweLL, K.M. 1987. Birds of the Dar es Salaam area, Tanzania. Le Gerfaut 77: 205-258. Ho.stTen, B., BRAUNLICH, A. & HuxHAM, M. 1991. Rondo Forest Reserve, Tanzania: an ornithological note including new records of the East Coast Akalat Sheppardia gunningi, the Spotted Ground Thrush Turdus fischeri, and the Rondo Green Barbet Stactolaema olivacea woodwardi. Scopus 14: 125-128. STuART, S.N. & JENSEN, F.P. 1985. The avifauna of the Uluguru preg Tanzania. Le Gerfaut 75: 155-197. Short communications 113 Wuite, C.M.N. 1965. A revised check list of African non-passerine birds. Lusaka: Government Printer. N. E. Baker, Box 23404, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Scopus 16: 111-113, April 1993 Received 11 October 1991 First East African breeding record of Grant’s Bluebill Spermophaga poligenys from the Semliki Forest Reserve, Uganda During a recent field training and bird inventory prograrnme for foresters and others organized by the Uganda Forest department in the Semliki (= Bwamba) Forest Reserve, observations were made on the nesting of a Grant’s Bluebill Spermophaga poliogenys. This species is an uncommon forest bird restricted to the Ituri and nearby forests in central Africa. Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1955) and Brown & Britton (1980) could provide no breeding records but for Zaire, Chapin (1954), although he never found a nest, mentions adults with enlarged gonads in January, February, May and September and noted young birds most numerous “toward November.” The present observations were made on 10—12 July 1992 during the dry season. On 10 July an incubating female was flushed from the nest and was watched perched nearby for several minutes affording good views. The female was found incubating on the next two days. The nest was placed in the fork of a pole-sized Cynometra alexandri tree about 2 ‘2m above the ground. The nest was comparatively large, 25 x 15 cm, and consisted of dried leaves and twigs on the outside with a lining of the grass Panicum maximum and blades of Leptaspis sp. The nest tree was only 5 m from a regularly used footpath, within a small (some 7 m across) patch of recently burned forest. The three white eggs averaged 18 x 13 mm. We thank the Forest Department and our colleagues for their assistance. References Brown, L.H. & Britton, P.L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds. Nairobi: EANHS. CuaPIN, J.P. 1954. The birds of the Belgian Congo. Part 4. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 75B: 1-846. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1955. African handbook of birds, Series I, Vol 2. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. London: Longman. Christine Dranzoa and Charles Otim, Makerere University, Box 10066, Kampala, Uganda Scopus 16: 113, April 1993 Received 24 November 1992 114 Short communications On the supposed occurrence of Chubb’s Cisticola Cisticola chubbi at Bukoba, Tanzania Cisticola chubbi is stated to occur at Bukoba, Tanzania by all the standard texts, e.g. White (1960), Britton (1980), Peters (1986), and Short et al. (1990); Hall & Moreau (1970, Map 203) plotted a point on the western shore of Lake Victoria at the town of Bukoba. I found this puzzling since lakeside vegetation is quite simply the wrong habitat for the species. Chapin (1953) says it was collected by Grauer “near Bukoba”; this is doubtless the source quoted by the above authors. I found Grauer’s two specimens in the American Museum of Natural History collection (Nos 593547-8), a male and a female, both collected on 17 May 1907. The locality on the label is, in fact, “Karagwe (Bukoba)”. Britton’s (1980) co-ordinates for Karagwe are 1° 30S, 31° OOE, i.e. about 80 km west of Bukoba, in higher country. According to D.C. Moyer (in litt.) the country around Karagwe and southwards along the road to Rulenge is rolling montane grassland with scattered Protea bushes, somewhat similar to the Ufipa Plateau, which is occupied by the closely related C. nigriloris. Cisticola chubbi normally prefers more wooded situations than those currently existing around Karagwe. However, it is an adaptable species that readily occupies man-made habitats such as dense roadside bush and abandoned cultivation, and might be expected in habitat similar to that of its congener C. nigriloris. Moyer did not find C. chubbi on a brief trip through Karagwe at midday, when birds might not have been singing. It would be interesting to know what the current status and distribution of this Species is around Karagwe and in the Bukoba District. Confusion over the locality of Grauer’s C. chubbi specimens arose because “Bukoba’ is the name of both a town and a district. Chapin must have assumed that Karagwe was the name of a village near the town of Bukoba, but when Grauer wrote “Karagwe (Bukoba)” on the label he meant that Karagwe was a village in the Bukoba District. Older specimens labelled simply “Bukoba’’ should be treated with caution, and the same may be true in other cases where the name of a district is also the name of its principal town, e.g. Iringa. Acknowledgement I wish to thank Dave Moyer for information about the Karagwe and Bukoba areas, and for commenting on this note. References Britton, P.L. (ED) 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS. Cuapin, J.P. The birds of the Belgian Congo. Part 3. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 75A: 1-821. HAL, B.P. & Moreau, R.E. 1970. An atlas of speciation in African passerine birds. London: British Museum (Natural History). Peters, J.L. 1986. Check-list of birds of the world. Vol 11. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. SHort, L.L., Horne, J.F.M. & Murinco-Gicuuk!, C. 1990. Annotated check-list of the birds of East Africa. Proceedings of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology 4: 61-246. Wuitr, C.M.N. 1960. A check list of the Ethiopian Muscicapidae (Sylviinae) Part 1. Occasional Papers of the National Museums of Southern Rhodesia 26B: 399-430. Short communications 115 Stuart Keith, Department of Ornithology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY 10024, USA Scopus 16: 114-115, April 1993 Received 4 March 1993 Notable records from Chumbe Island, Zanzibar Chumbe Island (6°17S, 39°10E) lies about 12 km SSW of Zanzibar town and less than 30 km from the Tanzanian mainland. The island, roughly 2 km long by “4 km wide, rises only a few metres above the high tide level and consists of old coral rock covered with high-growing dense bush, including a few trees. The following records coincided with a period of heavy storms associated with a tropical cyclone centred off the north Madagascar coast during mid January 1993. Eurasian Swift Apus apus On 16 January 1993 at least 2000 Eurasian Swifts were observed passing Chumbe Island travelling in a northerly direction. Most were flying at 20-80 m above the sea against a light monsoon wind blowing steadily from the NNE. Many were seen at close range and from above (by standing on top of a derelict lighthouse). Apart from their whitish throats, all birds seen were uniform brownish-black without any contrast between mantle and wings, which should exclude A. a. pekinensis, as well as both the African Black Swift A. barbatus and the Pallid Swift A. pallidus. There are very few records of Apus apus from Zanzibar. It is not listed by Pakenham (1979), but J. Vincent noted swifts there on 5 October 1936 which he believed to be of this species, while 40-50 over Bawe Island (6°09S, 39°O8E), Zanzibar on 23 January 1993 were also thought to have been this species (A. L. Archer, pers. comm.). Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus A second winter light morph was first observed passing Chumbe travelling in a northerly direction on 16 January 1993, and it is believed that it was this individual that was later washed ashore on 18 January following a heavy tropical storm. The bird was captured and measurements taken: wing 339, 341 mm; tarsus 52 mm; bill 37 mm. The inner primaries were new and fully grown, others were very worn. The bird was released after being photographed but was later killed by a cat. This represents the first record from Tanzanian waters. Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus Two adults were watched flying against a local storm on 17 January 1993. The black head and nape contrasted clearly against the paler uniform brownish-grey mantle. A narrow white superciliary stripe extended well behind the eye, while the white leading edges of the wings and white outer tail feathers were aiso clearly visible. This is the first record from Zanzibar since those documented by Pakenham (1979) in September 1932 and July 1933. Acknowledgements We wish to thank Ms Sibylle Riedmiller of the Chumbe Island Coral Park Project for making our stay possible. 116 Short communications Reference PAKENHAM, R.H.W. 1979. The birds of Zanzibar and Pemba. London: BOU. Drs Peter and Ursula Koehler, Korbinianplatz 1, 8045 Ismaning, Germany Scopus 16: 115-116, April 1993 Received 29 March 1993 Nest record of the Collared Apalis Apalis ruwenzorii and description of a partial albino The Collared Apalis Apalis ruwenzorii is endemic to the Albertine Rift Afromontane Region (Keith 1980). Hall & Moreau (1970), Britton (1980), Prigogine (1985) and Short et al (1990) regard A. ruwenzorii as a species distinct from the Black-collared Apalis A. pulchra. They suggest that the two form a superspecies. A ruwenzorii differs from A. pulchra mainly in that it has a paler grey collar and upperparts, is more rufous below, and lacks white outer tail feathers. However, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (1990) recently found that they were unable to distinguish between the songs of the two and that the two have similar behaviours. They prefer that A. ruwenzorii be considered a subspecies of A. pulchra—A. pulchra ruwenzoril. In the Impenetrable (= Bwindi) Forest (321 km’) of southwestern Uganda (0°53-1° O8S, 29° 35—29° 50E) A. ruwenzorii is common in the dense undergrowth of medium- altitude and montane forest from 1500-2800 m. On 6 April 1989 I found an A. ruwenzorii nest in the Impenetrable Forest. Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1960, 1973) indicate that the nest and eggs are undescribed. Neither Brown & Britton (1980) nor the East Africa Natural History Society Nest Record Scheme have any breeding records for the species. The only published account of the nest and eggs of the species of which I am aware is that of Dowsett Lemaire (1990) for the Nyungwe Forest, southwest Rwanda. That nest, which held “two eggs, was found on 31 December 1989: it was a ball of moss with a lateral hole attached to a sapling of Alchornea at a height of 40 cm and partly concealed by /mpatiens herbs. The two eggs measured 16 x 13 mm, and were whitish with pink-brown blotches.” It appears that the nest I found in the Impenetrable Forest is only the second known for the species and is the first for East Africa. It was located at an altitude of 2200 m on a ridge-top in open forest about 1.5 km north of Mubwindi Swamp. On three occasions an adult carried nest material into the nest but construction was obviously nearly complete. It was 1 m above the ground on the edge of an extremely dense clump of the ' shrub Alchornea hirtella. The nest was an untidy oval ball (wider at the bottom) of moss hung 8 cm below a branch by a thin strap of moss. The general appearance was a hanging purse. The outer part of the nest was entirely of soft, very loosely woven green moss. Fine, whitish lichen lined the entrance hole. Inside, interwoven with the moss, was a neat, tight bowl entirely of Panicum sp. grass stems. The entrance was located slightly more than half-way up the side of the nest. The nest was surprisingly large for such a small (10-cm long) bird. The outside diameter and height, excluding the moss ‘strap’ from which it hung, were 12 cm and 23 cm respectively. The inside of the nest cup was 6 cm in diameter and 2.5 cm deep. No egg was present when the nest was discovered but there was one inside on the next visit on 17 April. The egg, which was cold, was 17.4 x 12.2 mm, pure white with Short communications Ib 7 very dark to very light red-brown specks. The specks, which covered about 20 per cent of the egg, were clustered towards the large end where they formed a distinct ring. On 8 May the nest was visited a third time: the egg was gone with no evidence of predation. I collected the nest and deposited it in the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Ruhizha. _ The Nyungwe Forest nest and egg seem to be like those described here. In general, they are similar to the nest and egg described for A. pulchra and a number of other Apalis species. Unlike the nest of A. pulchra, however, lichen was not a prominent nest material, and feathers were not used. The colouring of the egg was also quite different from that described for A. pulchra, matching exactly the description of Mackworth- Praed & Grant (1960) for A. murina and A. flavigularis. The question is raised as to whether the observed differences in the nest and eggs of A. ruwenzorii and A. pulchra represent intra- or interspecific differences. Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1960, 1973) describe young A. ruwenzorii as duller than the adult, with the lower mandible horn-coloured. Fledgling A. ruwenzorii in the Impenetrable Forest fit this description. I noted that the gape, mouth, legs and feet are yellow. In addition to my April 1989 nest record for A. ruwenzorii, Jan Kalina (unpubl. data) observed two adults with fledglings on 22 January 1989 (probable December clutch) and I saw two adults feeding two fledglings on 17 April 1989 (probable March clutch). Besides the December 1989 nest mentioned above, Dowsett-Lemaire (1990) also saw a pair feeding large fledglings in early October 1989 (probable August clutch) in Nyungwe Forest. Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1960) give no breeding records for A. ruwenzorii but they indicate that A. pulchra breeds during March—July, and irregularly during December—January in the Kenya Highlands. Brown & Britton (1980) provide 11 breeding records for A. pulchra in the Kenya Highlands: May and June, and November and December. While there appears to be a strong trend for A. ruwenzorii and A. pulchra to breed during the two wet seasons (March—May and October-December), there are a few records for the drier months. With the normally plumaged adult A. ruwenzorii at the 6 April 1989 nest, there was a second, aberrantly plumaged bird. It was probably a male and sometimes moved with the normal coloured one, probably a female, as the normal bird added nest material. The aberant bird was pure white except for a faint, but definite, chestnut patch on its upper chest and some dark grey on the wings and tail. The feet, bill and eyes were normal for A ruwenzorii. This bird was seen clearly off-and-on from a distance of about 2 m for about 30 min as it kept returning to the nest site. To my knowledge, no such partial albino has been recorded for either A. ruwenzorii or A. pulchra. Acknowledgements My field studies are supported primarily by the World Wildlife Fund and USAID. I thank the Uganda National Research Council, President’s Office, Game Department and Forest Department for permission to work in the Impenetrable Forest. I am grateful to Dr Jan Kalina for her unpublished data and for comments on this note. References Britton, P.L. (ED) 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS. Brown, L.H. & Britton, P.L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds. Nairobi: EANHS. 118 Short communications, Review DowseETT-LEMARE, F. 1990. Eco-ethology, distribution and status of Nyungwe Forest birds (Rwanda). Tauraco Research Report 3: 31-85. DowseTT-LEMARE, F. & DowestTT, R.J. 1990. Zoogeography and taxonomic relationships of the forest birds of the Albertine Rift Afromontane Region. ibidem 3: 87-109. HALL, B.P. & Moreau, R.E. 1970. An atlas of speciation in African passerine birds. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). KeiTH, S. 1980. The avifauna of the Impenetrable Forest, Kigezi, Uganda with special reference to altitudinal distribution. Proceedings IV Pan-African Ornithological Congress: 159-167. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1960. African handbook of birds. Series I, vol 2. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. London: Longman. MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1973. African handbook of birds. Series Il, vol 2. Birds of west central and western Africa. London: Longman. PRIGOGINE, A. 1985. Conservation of the avifauna of the forests of the Albertine Rift, pp 277-295 in DiaMonD, A.W. & Lovejoy, T.E. (EDS) Conservation of tropical forest birds. ICBP Technical Publication No. 4. Cambridge: ICBP. SHorT, L.L., HORNE, J.F.M. & Murinco-Gicuuk!, C. Annotated check- list of the birds of East Africa. Proceedings of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology 4: 61-246. Dr Thomas M. Butynski, Impenetrable Forest Conservation Project, Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, Box 4930, Kampala, Uganda Scopus 16: 116-118, April 1993 Received 26 July 1991 Review Avian systematics and taxonomy Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club Cente- nary volume (Supplement) 112A: 1-311, 1992. Edited by J. F Monk, MD. Available from the BOC Hon. Secretary, Mrs A. M. Moore, 1 Uppingham Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6JB, England, price £32.00, which includes postage and packing. The British Ornithologists’ Club came into being in 1892 in order that prominent ornitholo- gists in and around London could meet on a regular basis, dine and then exhibit specimens of new bird taxa as well as eggs; also, through the medium of the Club’s Bulletin, provide an immediate outlet for publication of new names and descriptions introduced at the actual meetings. Following its founding, both the Club and many of its founders played a dominant role in the development of African ornithology, and that of other parts of the world as well, in the heyday of the British Empire. Hundreds of new bird species and subspecies from Africa alone were then described in the Club’s Bulletin, affectionately known as the “Bull B.O.C.”. The Bulletin continues to provide a noteworthy outlet for contributions on both avian systematics and taxonomy, and perhaps as many as 50 per cent of new species and subspecies still being unearthed and described to this day continue to be introduced to science in its pages. It was natural that on the auspicious occasion of its centenary the Club should seek to draw attention to the major contribution the Bulletin has rendered—and continues to render—to ornithology by publishing two compact hardcover volumes, the present contribution being an anthology of specially invited articles by a range of well known international researchers dealing with all aspects of systematic and taxonomic work on birds. Some 23 authors participated, while the Editor, Dr Monk, provided a both timely and poignant epilogue in Review 119 drawing attention to the desirability of maintaining the world’s major bird collections and at the same time fostering basic taxonomic research by specialists in all institutions housing such material. The trustees of many major museums would do well to read and re-read what Dr Monk has to say in his epilogue. The contributions to the review volume encompass a varied and complex range of ornithological issues, beginning with a survey of the role and activities of the Standing Committee on Ornithological Nomenclature of the I.0.C. by Professor W.J. Bock, this followed by a somewhat prolix exposé of the current taxonomy of the lower categories in omithology by Dean Amadon and Lester L. Short of the American Museum of Natural History. These two specialists consider some 24 terms found essential in the correct placing of taxa in the group sequence of deme to subspecies through to sub-genus and genus, in the course of which they advocate the adoption of yet three further categories, namely: Mesosubspecies—a subspecies that is not approaching species status; Mesospecies—a polytypic species without races approaching subspecific status; and Jsospecies—a species which is not part of an extant superspecies. One could justifiably question the need for adding still further to the already grossly overburdened list of terms covering evolutionary stages utilized in research between the deme on the one hand and the full species on the other. I am sure that some of the terms advocated by Amadon and Short will find little support among active Old World taxonomists. Several struck the reviewer as superfluous. A heuristic introduction to recent advances in the arcane field of biochemical studies as applied in the elucidation of relationships in higher level systematics of world birds is ably presented by G.F. Barraclough, again of the American Museum, while yet, in a further contribution, again by Bock, consideration is given to methodology in avian systematics. This paper jogs one’s memory that it was Professor Bock who advocated the lumping of the world’s larger lapwing-like plovers into a single genus—Vanellus Brisson, 1760— in his definitive generic revision of the plovers in 1958, which in turn was very ably questioned by Wolters in his 1974 paper on generic limits in lapwings and allied forms in the Bonner zoologische Beitrdge (25: 4). The group is almost certainly polyphylectic, with Wolters in his Die Vogelarten der Erde, part 1, 1975, pp. 23-24, recognizing no less than 14 genera for the lapwings. In Bock’s second offering we return to the evergreen issue as to where the southern African endemic sugarbirds Promerops spp. should be positioned in the avian hierarchy, rejecting Sibley & Ahlquist’s contention that they are members of the Nectariniidae, and seemingly favouring a return to another point of view that they are in effect somewhat aberrant meliphagids. In South Africa the placing of the sugarbirds in their own singular family, the Promeropidae, is favoured. Ants as a major constituent in the dietary requirements of many Afrotropical passerines and non-passerines are considered by Professor C. Hilary Fry in an interesting short paper in which many new data on the food of the African River Martin Pseudochelidon eurystomina is also presented. Perhaps the most important contribution in this striking volume of invited papers from senior workers is that on the history of the development of species concepts and species limits in ornithology by Jiirgen Haffer, covering pp. 107-158. This erudite historical survey sketches the typological concept of taxonomists of the Eighteenth Century from about the time of Linnaeus and his contemporaries and the radical impact Charles Darwin’s writings on the genesis of species and their evolutionary patterns, which through time culminated in the formulation of the polytypic species concept. Several competent German ornithologists were in the forefront of this new dynamic field of enquiry, to be superseded later in the century by the more advantageously situated American researchers under S.F. Baird, who perfected the aforesaid concept and espoused the wide use of trinomial nomenclature in dealing with the issue of geographical variation. Interestingly, we find that the German contribution to this vital aspect of ornithological science was to return anew towards the close of the century with the appointment of Ernst Hartert as Curator at Lord Rothschild’s Zoological Museum at Tring in Hertfordshire and the publication of Pastor Otto Kleinschmidt’s controversial Formenkreis Theory in 1900. I feel that Haffer accords too much relevance to Kleinschmidt’s polemical 120 Review writings on evolutionary dogma and his Formenkreis Theory, as the latter is now largely of historical interest, featuring little in most current research into regional species replacement. One point which struck me most forcibly as a major worker on avian systematics out here in the Afrotropics is that highly pertinent studies undertaken actually in Africa on species limits, relationships, nomenclature, and other topics over the past half century scarcely figure in Dr Haffer’s major thesis. Seemingly, only the results of work carried out in Brussels and New York merited consideration! A range of much shorter papers—but no less noteworthy—are those of J. Jacob on systematics and the analysis of integumental lipids: the uropygial gland; one by M. LeCroy and F. Vuilleumier on the need for improvement in the descriptions of new birds; another by H. Lohrl and E. Thaler on the use of behavioural traits in the elucidation of problems in taxonomy; then one by H. Ouellet of Canada on the Neotropical genus Sporophila; in turn followed by E.N. Panov on hybridogenous polymorphism in the wheatear Oenanthe picata complex of central Russian Asia, and a contribution on systematic and taxonomic levels in Eurasian grouse. Of more import to those of us dealing with African birds, one by P.A. Clancey deals with selected subspeciation issues, clines and secondary and primary contact zones between taxa in the southern Afrotropical avifauna. G.J. Morel and C. Chappuis consider both recent past and future work on the birds of West Africa, while M. Louette of the Tervuren Museum in Belgium covers much the same field as does Clancey, but this time deals with central equatorial African birds. I found Professor Karel Voous’s reflections on the genus in ornithology a most useful contribution to one’s understanding of the limits of the genus as a taxon and the art required in employing it. Instructive papers by A.G. Knox and M. Walters on the state of the ornithological holdings of The Natural History Museum (formerly the British Museum (Nat. Hist.)), Tring, and one by F, Vuilleumier, M. LeCroy and E. Mayr on new species of birds introduced to science between 1981 and 1990 round off this short review. Having known the famous Bird Room of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) when it was at South Kensington and in its heyday in the mid-1930s, I find Knox and Walters’ account of the situation now obtaining out at Tring most disquieting, as it in effect describes the steady decline in recent decades of what was a centre of international repute in the field of ornithological enquiry for well over a hundred years. How the issue should be addressed is something any responsible board of trustees should speedily resolve, otherwise the decline may become all but irreversible. In the survey of new species described between 1981 and 1990 several African novelties are considered, including Glaucidium albertinum Prigogine, 1983; Caprimulgus prigoginei Louette, 1990; Melignomon eisentrauti Louette, 1981; Mirafra ashi Colston,. 1982, and others. The full species status of Batis occulta Lawson, 1984 was disallowed, and recognition of Ploceus victoriae Ash, 1986, from Uganda was put on hold as a species inquirenda pending receipt of further material. Hirundo perdita Fry & Smith, 1985 from the Red Sea basin was treated likewise, the opinion expressed that it could be of hybrid origin. I also noted with interest that Vuilleumier et al. decided that the late L. Irby Davis’s new Kenyan nightjar species based on song recordings only—WNyctisyrigmus kwalensis 1978 and Allasma northi 1978—should be treated as nomina nuda and be placed in the synonymies of Caprimulgus pectoralis Cuvier and C. clarus Reichenow, respectively. The authors wisely counsel resistance to overready adoption of new species taxa into the popular literature until such time as the proposals have been vetted by qualified specialists. The book here reviewed is a neat, compact product, well bound and despite much of its complexity remarkably free of typos. The Club and its Editor, on this occasion Dr J. F. Monk, are to be congratulated in bringing together and publishing a singular collection of lastingly significant contributions to the science of ornithology. All of us will assuredly wish the Club every success in the next century of its existence. P. A. Clancey Notes for Contributors, Cont. [note the order, no comma, not ‘23rd’]; names of birds: Cape Rook Corvus capensis [no comma, no parentheses, no author's name]; list of references at the end of a paper or short communication: authors' family names followed by a comma, then initials, each followed by a full point (= full stop, period); names of journals: to be given in full; books: after author(s), year of publication and title give the town followed by the publisher. Two copies of contributions, which will be acknowledged, should be typed in double spacing on one side of the paper only, with wide margins all round. Clear hand-written MSS will also be considered. Both English and scientific names of birds should be given when the species is first mentioned, thereafter only one name should be used. The names should be those of a stated work and any deviations from this work should be noted and reasons given. Metric units should be used. Contributions on floppy disk are welcomed, but please still send two nard (= paper) copies. When you send your contribution on disk, please do not type anything in ALL CAPS unless the combination always occurs in that form (e.g., ‘USA’). Original black and white photographs and line illustrations should not be larger than A4 (210 x 297 mm). Line illustrations should be on good quality white paper or board, or on tracing material; lettering should be of professional quality or marked lightly in pencil. Authors of ‘papers’ receive three copies of their contribution free of charge. Extra copies, which will be charged at cost, must be ordered when the MS is accepted. All contributions should be sent to the Editor, G. C. Backhurst, Box 15194, Nairobi, Kenya. East African Bird Report This normally forms the third issue of Scopus each year. Records from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are welcomed. Please send them as soon as you can to D. A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi. Records of rare birds are assessed by the internationally-based East African Rarities Committee. If you see a rare bird, it may help to telephone one of the OSC members so that someone else can see the bird. Ringing scheme of eastern Africa This covers several countries in the area. Qualified and aspiring ringers should contact the ringing organizer, Box 15194, Nairobi for more information. E.A.N.H.S. Nest Record Scheme Details of most kinds of breeding activity are required by the scheme. Nest record cards may be obtained free of charge from the organizer, Dr Leon A. Bennun, Department of Ornithology, National Museums of Kenya, Box 40658, Nairobi. ICAMREF 20 Scopus 16 (2), April 1993 Contents R. J. SAFFORD, J. W. DucKwortu, M. I. Evans, M. G. TELFER, R. J. TIMMINS AND CHEMERE ZEWDIE. The birds of Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia...................06 61 C. O. F. Miinewa, M. R. HUxHAM AND N. D. Burcgss. The avifauna of Kazimzumbwe Forest Reserve, Vanzania? initial findings <..:.......-:..--:-s+ee0cecceeceeeeeeeeeacon eee 81 Co Lin A. CHAPMAN, LAUREN J. CHAPMAN AND RICHARD WRANGHAM. Observations on the feeding biology and population ecology of the Grey Parrot Psittacus CVITRACUS” voissccetonadsvccoolssieud clos ooondsesiesowasied sogesonod Sobp'scene odcsi'sanetnctlele ee ee ee 89 A. L. ARCHER AND D. A. TurRNER. Notes on the endemic species and some additional new birds occurring on Pemba Island, Tanzania.......:2....c2--ccss-eoe ee eee 94 Short communications Rocer J. SAFFORD. A second record of the Northern White-tailed Bush Lark Mirafra GIDiCaUAG| WY EthiOp ia .2.0csceeccdecstectassssnbennsasdeondoneeesd toeotodedeesdce See eee eee EEE 99 Davip C. MOYER AND ETIENNE SION. The spread of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus indicus in Africa with new records from Tanzania .................00000+ 101 JouN D. Atkins. A new location for the Ankober Serin Serinus ankoberensis near Debre Sina, Ethiopia ......:c...0i.eosccssssissseosnstonctes oajccesnsesoseeseccleCeeee cnet eee Rte ee RRR 105 STEPHANIE J. TYLER. Some notes on Black Ducks ANn@S SPAPrs@............::sssssccecccceeseeees 107 STEPHANIE J. TYLER. A commensal feeding association between African Spoonbills Platalea alba and Great White Egrets Egretta alba in Tanzania..................00+ 109 STEPHANIE J. TYLER. Interactions between Giant and Pied Kingfishers Megaceryle MaXimMa and Ceryle UALS .........00:scvesasseecebetevodotsecadiece ste secstvdae ee eee 110 N. E. Baker. On the racial status of the White-eared Barbet Stactolaema leucotis in Coastal Tanzania: 5. .cescsounscesdoasatess cokeds ceaeenet cde ebeeeeeee eae ', lee 111 CHRISTINE DRANZOA AND CHARLES OTiM. First East African breeding record of Grant’s Bluebill Spermophaga poligenys from the Semliki Forest Reserve, Uganda...113 Stuart Kerr. On the supposed occurrence of Chubb’s Cisticola Cisticola chubbi at Bukoba,, Tanzania. .c.ssciss.ceoosescssovsnnacernocsasbapetenesdeosaaeetoessesedde cscs ucoseceeessesaecemetene 114 PETER AND URSULA KOEHLER. Notable records from Chumbe Island, Zanzibar......... JUS) Tuomas M. BurtynskI. Nest record of the Collared Apalis Apalis ruwenzorii and description of a partial albino............ Rr rr icencccsooqoacocosec e906 116 Review: Ava@in:SySt€matiCs, GNd LAXONOMY ...occ..ssnc-esiccosessor-cstee ses caseeeeseesemeseee tee 118 Errata cissnvsisssdosncssvesseonseds sdewedinonasdedoasdeosbicodausssvontssssucedtceonceteuesss cogs uses tes eeeee aanaeemeemmmeeete 93 Notice: New Editorial AGdress. .....::.s.csseo0s.s-ssesucteo-csiecacesreseeeecconsseoeene Rees beeen ememnammm 93 Published by the Ornithological Sub-committee of the E.A.N.H.S. Printed in Kenya by AMREF, Wilson Airport, Box 30125, Nairobi * : a, | + iy r ‘ ae, , Uri 5 rf rv hy, Vite q it ge ty: ) td ill | ll | | I = (99) Bi scap a Ned inseam ae aOR Fhe Beet: ar ares Spe tt eon eng etek Aes OMe rene n PAPO OY Up hye ste Bro eecne pot & : Vay nt es an 7 - : SrEAN NSO RN ONE Mer ION! MENaeNN SS : eae x : Spy : a s i $ ° SERINE AAS SRAM aR RG eae ye See Ea Ah sas seo aay ND 7, UPR EAN AE : C02 TKR COA AN AF Led ae 8)» Fee e yt Me ste yank seek ; aati : ARAYA at GAT A EAR seat ghee : ‘ esta Ny APA ng PRU BASS ee de IAD ee apt oy 8 PALMS RS on yerennl te ain : : . ; f : sales : ; ag 10 : 5 : 5 . AN d SSID SE bee bey