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ISSN 0250-4162

SCOPUS

A quarterly ornithological publication
of the East Africa Natural History Society

Volume 4 (1) March 1980 15 shillings

SCOPUS

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A number of works, which are cited frequently, should not be listed under

Conttnued tnstde back cover

Scopus 4 (1) March 1980

SCOPUS

THE FIELD SEPARATION OF COMMON, ETHIOPIAN AND GREAT SNIPE
(GALLINAGO GALLINAGO, NIGRIPEWNIS AND MEDIA)
PB. Taylor

Three species of snipe are likely to be encountered in eastern and south cen-
tral Africa. These are the visiting Palaearctic Great Snipe Gallinago media
and Common Snipe G. gallinago, and the local Ethiopian Snipe G. nigripennis.
The separation of these three in the field is beset with problems as they

are Similar in plumage and size. Moreover, they are difficult to see on the
ground, and can usually only be observed for brief periods in flight. In East
Africa, the main problem is the separation of Ethiopian and Common Snipe. The
latter winters commonly in Kenya, Uganda and northernmost Tanzania. However,
it reaches Zambia only in small numbers, although possibly regularly (Button
1973, and personal observations in Ndola), and has been collected only once
in Malawi (Benson & Benson 1977). By contrast, the Great Snipe has been
recorded surprisingly infrequently in Kenya and Uganda in recent years, but
is a regular and reasonably common visitor to Zambia and Malawi. Although
they are not dealt with further here, it should be pointed out that two other
species of Palaearctic snipe have reached East Africa. The Jack Snipe Lymno-
cryptes minimus has occurred several times in Kenya and Uganda and also three
times in Zambia (Benson, Brooke, Dowsett & Irwin 1971, and two personal sight-
ings at Ndola), and a single Pin-tailed Snipe G. stenura has been netted at
Naivasha in Kenya (Backhurst 1969). The Jack Snipe is relatively easy to
distinguish by its small size, short bill and flight habits (see, for example
Peterson, Mountfort & Hollom 1954), but the Pin-tailed Snipe is extremely
Similar to the Common Snipe in the field, and is probably overlooked in East
Africa.

Identification of the Great Snipe is relatively easy given good views, and
detailed comparisons between Great and Common Snipe have been given by Wallace
(1976) with further notes and corrections by the same author later (Wallace
1977). Great and Ethiopian Snipe may similarly be separated fairly easily but
it is much more difficult to distinguish between Common and Ethiopian Snipe
and some authors have suggested that this is not possible in the field (Mack-
worth-Praed & Grant 1970, Benson & Benson 1977). I have been able to observe
all three species together at Itawa swamps, Ndola, Zambia, and my observations
from this locality, together with my experience of the Common Snipe in Europe
and of the other two species elsewhere in Africa, form the basis of the
following notes. I have also examined specimens of all three species at the
National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi and have handled a large number of Great
Snipe at Ndola. In my opinion it is possible to separate Common and Ethiopian
Snipe in the field, especially when the two are seen together. The following
motes concentrate on characters which may be observed in flight, but details
of the habitats favoured by each species at Ndola are also given.

Scopus 4: 1-5, March 1980

4 Identification of snipe

FIELD CHARACTERS
These may be conveniently separated into plumage characters, size and shape
characters, and mode of flight and call. A snipe does not usually rise until
one is close to it and it is then often a few seconds before binoculars can
be focussed on it. During these initial few seconds important features to
note are the call, which is usually given on rising, the colour of the under-
side, and the flight action. The upperwing and back patterns, the length of
the bill and its angle of carriage may then be observed through binoculars.
It is important to watch the bird as it comes down, because it is at this
moment that the tail pattern is best seen.

Upperwing Pattern

The Great Snipe is easily identified on this character. It has pale tips to
all upperwing coverts, these tips forming a rather spotted area on the fore-
wing, bordered at the rear by a more distinct white line (the tips of the
median coverts). The uniformly dark greater and primary coverts form a dark
central wing panel which has a distinct white rear border (formed by the tips
of these coverts). The flight feathers are rather less dark than the greater
coverts and there is a narrow pale trailing edge formed by the whitish tips

to the secondaries. The dark central wing panel with its white anterior and
posterior borders is usually very obvious in the field and is well shown in
photographs in Wallace (1977). The upperwings of Common and Ethiopian Snipe
are much more uniformly coloured than that of the Great Snipe, and the only
real pattern is the whitish trailing edge to the secondaries, which is usually
broader and more prominent than in the Great Snipe. Common and Ethiopian Snipe
upperwings are noticeably darker than the upperside of the body in flight.

Back Pattern

The Great Snipe is intricately patterned with buff and pale brown and, although
it has longitudinal pale lines on the back, these are much less clearly-marked
than in the other species, and often appear broken. Common and Ethiopian Snipe
lack the intricate back pattern of the Great Snipe but have very distinct pale
lines along the back. In skins these lines were found to be paler and more
distinct in the Common Snipe, but I,have not noted this as a good field
character. The back of the Common Snipe is a somewhat paler brown than that

of the Ethiopian Snipe, a feature which is mentioned by Snow (1978) and by
Prater, Marchant & Vuorinen (1977) and which was apparent in museum skins.
This character is noticeable in the field but is only really useful when a
direct comparison can be made between the two species. I have found that the
back of the Common Snipe appears more uniform in ground colour than that of
the Ethiopian Snipe, the latter having darker markings and also some quite
rufous markings in many individuals. The darker back of the Ethiopian Snipe
constrasts more strongly with the white belly than does that of the Common
Snipe.

Head Pattern

All three species have a pale central crown stripe and stripes on the face.
The head and neck of the Great Snipe is, however, more spotted and the stripes
less distinct than in the other species, giving a more 'mealy' appearance
(Wallace 1976, 1977). These characters are best seen in birds on the ground.

Tail Pattern

This is a very important field character. The Common Snipe has much less white
in the outer tail than the other two species, and in direct flight no white
may be visible. However, when a snipe's tail is not spread the full extent

of the white is difficult to judge, and the tails of Great and Ethiopian Snipe
may at times also show little white in flight. The tail pattern may best be
seen when the bird spreads its tail on coming in to land and sometimes also

/

Identification of snipe 3

on take-off. Both Great and Ethiopian Snipe have broad white outer tails and
the Great Snipe often keeps its tail partly spread in flight, thus making the
white very noticeable. In contrast, the Ethiopian Snipe, though usually show-
ing some white in flight, may occasionally show no more than the Common Snipe;
only when the bird lands is the extent of the white fully (and often startling-
ly) visible. First-year Great Snipe may have much less white in the tail than
adults, but have usually moulted the tail feathers by mid-winter, when they
then appear similar to adults (Prater et al. 1977).

Underside

All three species have barred flanks but in the Great Snipe the barring extends
to the underwing coverts and axilliaries and also to the lower flanks, the
belly (which is not usually barred in the centre) and the tibiae. The ground
colour of the underside of the Great Snipe is off-white or buff, darker in
immatures than in adults. Common and Ethiopian Snipe have pure white bellies
and tibiae and the barring does not extend as far down the fianks as in the
Great Snipe. In flight, therefore, although an adult Great Snipe which is less
heavily barred than usual may appear quite pale on the belly, it is never as
strikingly white in this region as even the most heavily marked individuals

of the other species.

Bill

The bill of the Ethiopian Snipe is longer than that of the Common Snipe (Snow
1978) , and when the two species are seen together that of the Ethiopian Snipe
appears markedly longer and more unwieldy. The usefulness of this character
in the field is limited, and estimates of bill-length in isolated birds are
probably not reliable unless the observer is very familiar with both species.
In flight, the bills of both species are held pointing downwards. The bill of
the Great Snipe is noticeably shorter and in flight is carried nearer to the
horizontal, often at only 10-15° below the horizontal.

Structure and Silhouette

The Great Snipe is a bulkier bird than the other two species, and has broader
wings. These features, coupled with its slow and more direct flight, give it

a much heavier appearance in the field. The slimmer Common and Ethiopian Snipe
are less easy to separate on general shape, but the wing of the Ethiopian
Snipe is broader and more rounded than that of the Common Snipe. This is
mentioned by Prater et al. (1977) and D.J. Pearson (in litt.) points out that
in the field this feature is especially noticeable when a side view of the
bird is obtained.

Flight Action and Behaviour

It is sometimes possible to identify the Great Snipe on flight action alone,
as it rises at a much shallower angle than the other two species, flies
Slowly and directly, usually for only a short distance, and drops sharply into
cover. Long flights (that is, over about 30m) are not usual in Great Snipe,
but Wallace (1977) comments that long flights may be made when the birds are
flushed from habitat edges. The flight action shows none of the typical dash
and zigzagging of the Common Snipe and indeed, a Great Snipe in flight is
often more reminiscent of such waders as sandpipers and plovers than of a
"typical' snipe. This feature is mentioned by Wallace (1977). Great Snipe may
occasionally waver slightly in flight but this is not a well-marked action
and is made more slowly than the zigzags of the other species. The Common
Snipe rises steeply and flies in a typically fast zigzagging manner, often
for a long distance, before coming down less sharply than a Great Snipe. The
Ethiopian Snipe also rises steeply and flies faster than the Great Snipe, but
differs from the Common Snipe in that it usually flies less rapidly and zig-
Zags much less markedly, sometimes hardly at all. D.J. Pearson (in litt.) has

4 Identification of snipe

also noticed that the flight of the Ethiopian Snipe is more fluttery than that
of the Common Snipe. Any snipe with a very fast, strongly zigzagging flight is
therefore almost certainly a Common Snipe, and at Itawa this species usually
flew a much greater distance when flushed than did Ethiopian Snipe, although
this was not a constant characteristic.

It should be borne in mind that tired, newly-arrived snipe may fly more
slowly than normal and that any snipe on occasion may make very short flights.

I have often found that Great Snipe, after flying away from the observer
when flushed, will turn and fly across his line of vision, providing a good
view of the underside pattern and the bill. The other species usually continue
in a more or less direct line, at least until they are a considerable distance
away.

Cai

I have found the call of the Common Snipe to be louder and more rasping than
that of the Ethiopian Snipe, although similar in form. Common Snipe at Itawa
tend to call more frequently than Ethiopian, the calls being given in rapid
succession. The usual call of the Great Snipe is a feeble croak, easily
separable from the notes of the other species, and I have found that this call
may be frequently uttered both on rising and in flight. At Itawa it is except-
ional for a Great Snipe not to call when flushed. Wallace (1976) considers
that Great Snipe call infrequently in winter, but this is certainly not true
of birds in Zambia. It is possible that the wing noise made as the bird rises
may mask the feeble call, and observers at Itawa who are not familiar with

the call often do not hear it unless it is pointed out to them.

HABITAT PREFERENCES
In Zambia, Great Snipe may occur in a wide variety of grassy habitats, but are
most often found in short grass, usually wet but sometimes dry. They may occur
in short dry grass on football pitches, golf courses and the banks of sewage
settling ponds, especially on passage. At such times they are often easy to
see, allowing close approach, and are presumably tired and reluctant to fly.
Wintering birds at Itawa usually occur in short wet grass but are sometimes
found in shallowly-inundated or muddy long-grassed areas alongside the other
species of snipe, and also in wet or muddy open areas with sparse tussocks of
short grass, plough furrows etc. They often favour cattle-trampled grass even
if no mud is present, and at Itawa occur in groups of up to 15 in small areas
of trampled wet grass (often under acacias where cattle have rested in the
shade) - at such times there are often few to be found elsewhere in the area.
They fly to feed at muddy tracks and puddle margins at dusk.

Ethiopian Snipe at Itawa are usually found in wet areas, often completely
flooded, with tussocks or grass varying in height from a few centimetres to
(more commonly) up to half a metre. They are also seen on muddy paths, plough
furrows and ditches in grassiand. They generally favour taller, denser cover
than does Great Snipe.

Common Snipe at Itawa occur in similar habitat to Ethiopian but seem to
avoid the tallest grass and the most deeply-flooded areas, being most fre-
quently flushed from areas where mud is present and grass is tussocky.

SUMMARY
The Great Snipe is relatively easy to identify in the field on its wing and
back pattern, extensively barred underside, short bill, bulky outline, slow
level flight and feeble call. Common and Ethiopian Snipe are more difficult
to separate but may be identified by the colour of the back, the tail pattern,
bill length, flight action and call. The Great Snipe is found in a wider
variety of habitats than the other species.

Identification of snipe 5

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am grateful to G.R. Cunningham-van Someren for allowing me,to examine skins
at the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi and for his comments on field ident-
ification, and to D.J. Pearson and D.A. Turner for their comments on an earlier
draft of this paper.

REFERENCES
BACKHURST, G.C. 1969. A record of Gallinago stenura from Kenya. Bulletin of
the British Ornithologists' Club 89: 95-96.

BENSON, C.W. & BENSON, F.M. 1977. The birds of Malawi. Limbe: Montfort Press.

, BROOKE, R.K., DOWSETT, R.J. & IRWIN, M.P.S. 1971. The birds of
Zambia. London: Collins.

BUTTON, E.L. 1973. Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) in Copperbelt Province:
a species new to Zambia. Bulletin of the Zambian Ornithological Society
ie

MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1970. African handbook of birds. Series
3, vol. 1. Birds of west central and western Africa. London: Longmans Green.

PETERSON, R., MOUNTFORT, G. & HOLLOM, P.A.D. 1954. A field guide to the birds
of Britain and Europe. London: Collins.

PRATER, A.J., MARCHANT, J.H. & VUORINEN, J. 1977. Guide to the identification
and ageing of Holarctic waders. Tring: British Trust for Ornithology.

SNOW, D.W. (Ed.) 1978. An atlas of speciation in African non-passerine birds.
London: British Museum (Nat. Hist.).

WALLACE, D.I.M. 1976. Distinguishing Great Snipe from Snipe. British Birds
69: 377-383.

1977. Further definition of Great Snipe characters. ibidem
70=, 203-289.

P.B. Taylor, Box 70415, Ndola, Zambia

(Received 18 February 1980)

6 Common and Lesser Noddies in Somalia

COMMON AND LESSER NODDY AWOUS STOLIDUS
AND A. TENUIROSTRIS IN SOMALIA
wesc tASh

Except for the large breeding colony of the Common Noddy Anous stolidus on
Mait Island (11°15'N, 47°15'E) off the northern coast of Somalia in the Gulf
of Aden (North 1946), there would seem to be only four other records of the
bird for the whole country. The Lesser Noddy A. tenuirostris has never been
recorded. Such paucity of records is presumably due to a lack of observation,
rather than to a recent change in status of the species, for both are common
now.

Britton (1977a) recorded the first Lesser Noddies for African waters as
recently as 1976. They were seen in several localities in Kenya between
5 August and 10 December 1976, with as many as 220 in one place. However, in
1977 only two were seen, on 29 July. The same author (Britton 1977b) states
that the Common Noddy "may be encountered inshore in Kenya in small numbers
at any season".

OBSERVATIONS
Pre-1978 records
Heuglin's visit to Mait Island on 13-15 November 1857 indicated that huge
numbers of A. stolidus bred there (Heuglin 1869-74); at the time of North's
visit on 22-26 November 1942, he was able to say that immense numbers still
bred there (North 1946). Ogilvie-Grant & Reid (1901) collected a male at
Zeila (11°21'N, 43°28'E)on 3 November 1900, and Archer & Godman (1937) refer
to birds at Aibat Island (11°31'N, 43°27'E) and to two records from Bulhar
(10°23'N, 44°25'E); all these localities are on Somalia's north coast.

Recent records

I arrived in Mogadishu in mid-August 1978 and travelled frequently along the
coast up to 102km northeast and 40km southwest. Up to the time of writing
in October 1979 I also visited many other coastal areas further to the south-
west and in the north. Both species of noddy were plentiful, A. stolidus from
30 March to 7 September 1979, and A. tenuirostris from 22 September 1978 to

7 September 1979, although the latter was not present throughout the period.

Anous stolidus: none was seen until 30 March 1979, when two flew over the
dunes at 3km, and another at 27km, northeast of Uarscheik (2°18'N, 45°49'E).
Following these, a total of 46 was seen on seven days in April, the largest
number on one day being 25, from various points along the coast. For much of
May I was in the north with J.E. Miskell and A.A. Murshid where we visited
Mait Island on 20th. We estimated 20000 A.stolidus concentrated in a band
on sloping rocks just above sea-level distributed all round the island, and
from 19th-21ist there were large numbers feeding just offshore to the east of
Mait village (10°58'N, 47°04'E) on the mainland. Back in the Mogadishu area
at the end of the month there were 11 birds on three days, then in June there
were 22 on four days (maximum 15), until 22nd. On this day, following a week
of high winds and rough seas, 28 flew south with A. tenuirostris at Hal Hambo
(1°54'N, 45°05'E). On 24th a southerly movement of both species included 80
stolidus in 2h at Ras Bagal (1°55'N, 45°09'E). Just northeast of Mogadishu
seven flew south on 25th, but on 26th there were noddies flying south all
day. Intermittent counts resulted in a total of 236 stolidus with larger
numbers of tenuirostris (q.v.), and c. 100 stolidus on nearby Buntapsi Island
(1°53'N, 45°O4'E).

Scopus 4: 6-9, March 1980

Common and Lesser Noddies in Somalia 7)

From this date, onwards through July, the species was abundant up and down
the coast, with feeding concentrations of over 1000 birds seen together.
Several times up to 400 birds were present on Buntapsi and another small
island, Mosque Island (1°55'N, 45°0O7'E), near Gezira, together with many tenu-
irostris and Roseate Terns Sterna dougallii, but it could not be ascertained
which species were laying, for the eggs were removed daily by the local people.
Numbers were far fewer in August, although there were c. 350 on Buntapsi on
24th. Then in September, after five on 7th, I left for the southern part of
the country, where, on a visit to the coast on 19th, many were seen over an
island off Ras Kamboni (1°38'S, 41°36'E).

Anous tenuirostris: Occurrences were in two periods separated by six months.
The first comprised only five birds in September-December, and may have been
the tail-end of a larger influx present before I arrived; the second occurred
in June-September.

The first bird was an ailing immature almost caught by hand at Mallable
(2°12'N, 45°37'E) on 22 September 1978, followed by another immature with a
rather paler head at Gezira. Next, another ailing bird was caught and collected
much further south at Kismayu (0°22'S, 42°33'E) on 6 October, and finally, an
adult and immature were seen together at Mallable on 15 December.

The first arrivals of the second, and much larger influx, were observed on
15 June 1979, when there were three and four in the huge flocks of mixed tern
species on beaches at 27 and 40km north of Uarscheik, after which numbers
increased rapidly:

Gezira, 20 June, 27 flying south.

Buntapsi Island, 22 June, 100+, as well as 80 flying south in a sh watch

at Hal Hambo, and others along the coast.

Ras Bagal, 24 June, 186 flew south in 2h.

Mallable, 25 June, four flew south in 24h.

Hal Hambo, 26 June, 944 counted, including 300 on Buntapsi Island, and the

remainder flying south at sea.

Buntapsi Island, 29 June, 400.

Gezira, 8 July, 100s flying south.

Mosque Island, 10 July, 400 noddies, of which at least some were this species.

Thereafter only ten more were seen on five days to 7 September, except for
120 which visited Buntapsi Island on 25 August.

DISCUSSION

From the observations presented above it is clear that both Common and Lesser
Noddies were present in fairly large numbers off a long stretch of the Somalia
coast in 1979. The autumn occurrences of tenuirostris between 22 September and
15 December 1978 overlapped the 1976 Kenya dates (5 August to 10 December) .
However, the 1979 occurrences in June in Somalia are much earlier than the
Kenya dates. There are several possible explanations: they may have been
associated with the strong southeast winds at that time; they may be of
regular annual occurrence, or they may represent part of a regular circular
migration which takes them north to the coast of Somalia, from where they
reach Kenya a couple of months later on southward migration. The inshore
waters of Somalia attract immense numbers of terns, apparently regularly and
for most of the year, so that it is quite possible that noddies of both species
regularly exploit the same source of food. The actual stretch of coast they
utilize may vary from year to year depending upon conditions of wind and food
abundance.

Bailey (1971) was impressed by the small numbers of seabirds he saw off the
Somali coast, in periods totalling about five weeks in July-September, in the

8 Common and Lesser Noddies in Somalia

Somali current in offshore waters. Taking the terns as an example, he recorded
only: several Sooty Terns Sterna fuscata, mainly more than 100 miles (160 km)
from land; three groups of Little Terns S.albifrons totalling 17 birds, all
within 20 miles (30km) of land; and one Lesser Crested Tern S. bengalensis.
In inshore waters (i.e. within binocular range of the shore), I have seen

very large numbers of terns throughout the year. Tens of thousands may be

seen in a day, but identification is frequently difficult owing to their
distance off-shore, and an interpretation of the seasonal species composition
and movements would require prolonged study, for at least fourteen species

are involved.

It is unfortunate that my attempts to protect the colonies of breeding terns
in June and July on the two islets, the one near Gezira and the other Buntapsi,
were unsuccessful. Possibly, colonies were all of Roseate Terns, but positive
proof of breeding was impossible to obtain in the large mixed association of
several species of terns. About 600 Roseate Terns were present at each island,
together with some White-cheeked S.repressa, Lesser Crested, Swift S. bergii
and Bridled Terns S. anaethetus, and there were maximum counts of 400 Common
and 300 Lesser Noddies. Thus there was uncertainty about which species were
laying; though judging by their behaviour there was a suspicion that both
species of noddy may have attempted to breed, or were preparing to breed. The
habitat would, however, seem unsuitable for breeding of tenuirostris, which
is typically a tree-nesting bird. All these terns were perhaps loosely
associated with the probable breeding Roseate Terns, in much the same way that
large numbers of White-cheeked Terns associate themselves with the many breed-
ing colonies of Little Terns along the Somalia coast. The larger species rests
by day and roosts by night with the breeding Little Terns, and will rise up
and circle round with them when a colony is disturbed, but much observation
has provided no evidence of breeding. Indeed, most of these White-cheeked
Terns are immature birds.

Noddies are likely to be confused at a distance only with immature or dark
phase skuas Stercorarius spp. or immature Sooty Terns. However, the pale wing
patches on the skuas are distinctive, and the paler underwings and lower
abdomens of the Sooty Terns are apparent in all but very poor light or at
extreme range. Separation of the two species of Anous may be much more
difficult; under conditions of good light, at moderate range and particularly
from an elevated viewpoint, such as a cliff or a ship, the differences are
obvious. Under other conditions identification becomes easier with experience.
Flight characteristics, although not diagnostic, are helpful; stolidus is
larger, rather more heavily built, and has a 'freer' and more ‘casual’ flight
with longer periods of planing, whereas tenuirostris tends to have more rapid
wing beats, does less planing and its flight is more direct. Also, tenuirostris
appears more uniform sooty-brown, while stolidus looks browner and usually has
a clear indication of two shades of brown on the upperwing, having paler
coverts and darker remiges. The notes on identification and the illustrations
in Penny (1974) are the best I have seen.

Further observations are required to show whether the above observations
are normal annual events in Somalia.

REFERENCES
ARCHER, G. & GODMAN, E.M. 1937. The birds of British Somaliland and the Gulf of
Aden. London & Edinburg: Gurney & Jackson.

BAILEY, R.M. 1971. Sea-bird observation off Somalia. Ibis 113: 29-41.

BRITTON, P.L. 1977a. First African records of two Malagasy sea-birds. Bulletin
of the British Ornithologists’ Club 97: 54-56.

Common and Lesser Noddies in Somalia 9

BRITTON, P.L. 1977b. Status and identification of East African terns. Scopus
1: 29-34.

HEUGLIN, M. Th. von. 1869-1874. Ornithologie Nordost-Afrikas, der Nilquellen-
und Kiusten-Gebiete des Rothen Meeres und des nordlichen Somal-Landes. Cassel:
Fischer.

NORTH, M.E.W. 1946. Mait Island - a bird-rock in the Gulf of Aden. Ibis 88:
478-501.

OGILVIE-GRANT, W.R. & REID, J. 1901. On the birds collected during an exped-
ition through Somaliland and Southern Abyssinia to Lake Zwai, with field
notes by the collector, Mr Alfred E. Pease. Ibis for 1901: 607-699.

PENNY, M. 1974. The birds of Seychelles and the outlying islands. London:
Calkins.

J.S. Ash, Division of Birds, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560,
U.S.A.

(Received 11 December 1979)

10 Food of the Horus Swift

NOTES ON THE FOOD OF THE HORUS SWIFT APUS HORUS IN KENYA
Charities 2%. Cotdizans

Although most general accounts record Apus horus as feeding on aerial insects
and other arthropods, there appears to be no detailed information available

on the actual food taken. In July 1978 I observed Horus Swifts at three col-
onies in the Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru areas. These colonies ranged in
size from only a few pairs at Naivasha to an estimated several hundred at
Nakuru. All appeared to be utilizing holes dug by bee-eaters, particularly

the White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides. Closer examination of a large
bee-eater colony, now almost completely taken over by the swifts, in the
northern Baharini section of Lake Nakuru National Park, indicated that many

of the swifts were feeding young: swifts circling over the colony and entering
burrows could be seen to have their buccal region noticeably distended by the
bolus of food they were carrying to the nestlings. In the course of bee-eater
banding operations conducted at this colony, 23 Horus Swifts were mist-—netted
between 16:00 and 17:15 on 5 July 1978. Several of these birds were carrying
food to their nestlings but ejected the bolus when they hit the net. Only one
bolus (sample 1) hung in the net and was recovered intact. Additional insects
(sample 2) were recovered from the mouths of three swifts which had ejected
most of the bolus they had been carrying. These two samples yielded a total

of 363 and 33 individual arthropods (93 per cent insects) respectively. The
individual items were measured (from tip of head to tip of abdomen) and
identified to at least family level when possible. Only a subjective estimate
of the number of species could be made on the basis of the number of distinct-—
ive morphotypes present in the samples. The numbers of individuals and the
identifications of the food items are presented in Table 1, and the sizes of
the items in Fig. 1.

=a 18
= as
2 14
qe st
—

= 10
re) 8
ae
~~ 4
CANS.
fe)

Zz

05 10 15 20 25 30 35 4045 5055 60 65 70 75 8085 90
FOOD SIZE(mm)

Fig. 1 Sizes of food items taken by Horus Swifts at Nakuru, Kenya.
Sizes are combined in hailf-millimetre intervals.

A total of seven orders and 28 families of insects plus 26 spiders was
present in sample 1; an additional five families of insects were represented
in sample 2 (Table 1). Termites (Termitidae), plant-hoppers (Cicadellidae and
Delphacidae) and ants (Formicidae) were the most abundantly represented groups
accounting for 79 per cent of the identifiable insects. On the other hand,

23 families were represented in these samples by only a single insect. This
diversity in food types is perhaps not unexpected in a group like the swifts,
which appear to be highly opportunistic in their aerial foraging. On 9 May

Scopus 4: 10-13, March 1980

Food of the Horus Swift 11

1966, a single food bolus was recovered from a well feathered nestling at
Essexvale, Rhodesia (P. Steyn, pers. comm.). The 204 individual insects in this
bolus were identified by M. Markus and found to be distributed among at least
six orders; 85 per cent of these items were in the Homoptera (Jassidae) or
Lepidoptera. These taxa were poorly represented in the Kenya food samples
reported here. A high degree of heterogeneity, as well as variation from day
to day and season to season, has similarly characterized food samples from
other species of swifts (Lack & Owen 1955, Collins 1968 and unpublished).

The sizes of the food items taken by Horus Swifts ranged from 0.8 to 9.0m
(x = 3.71, SD 1.60). The frequency with which the different sized food items
were taken was clearly skewed towards the larger sizes (Fig. 1). The modal
size food item taken by these swifts was between 2.6 and 3.0mm; 34 per cent
of the food items were between 2.1 and 3.9mm and 76.7 per cent were between
2.1 and 5.0mm in length. There is a secondary peak in the distribution of
prey sizes taken, between 7.1 and 8.5mm, which is probably near the maximum
prey size these swifts regularly take.

The 23 adult Horus Swifts netted at Nakuru weighed between 25.4 and 31.3 g
(x = 27.95). The Horus Swift is thus smaller than the Eurasian Swift Apus
apus (42.8g, SD 3.44, Gladwin & Nau 1964). Horus Swifts also appear to take
a smaller size range of food items than these larger swifts (Lack & Owen 1955,
Collins unpublished). The relationship between body size, prey size, and
foraging ecology of swifts is currently under investigation (Collins in prep.).

Clearly, additional information is badly needed on the food and feeding
habits of most of the several syntopic species of African swifts. Also, since
the Horus Swift is unique among swifts in making use of burrows for nesting,
it would seem to be deserving of more detailed study than it has received
to date.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am indebted to Stephen Emlen, Natalie Demong, and David and Sandra Ligon
for showing me these swift colonies and for their warm hospitality during ny
stay. I would like to thank Robert Hegner and Glen Woolfenden; without their
assistance in obtaining these food samples this analysis would not have been
possible. Peter Steyn kindly allowed me to include his data on the food bolus
collected in Rhodesia. Steven Peters and Robert Wagenstein carried out the
laborious task of measuring and identifying the food items, for which I am
most appreciative.

TABLE 1

Items identified in two food samples from Apus horus. The numbers refer
to the numbers of individuals in each order and family; those in par-
entheses refer to the apparent number of species in each family

Sample 1 Sample 2
Isoptera iB i =
Termitidae 77 (1) -
Hemiptera 5 2
Saltidae 1 (1) &
Nabidae i (1) a
Tingidae 1 (1) 5
Lygaeidae 2 (2) i -€8)
Miridae - eh ee

[Continued

12 Food of the Horus Swift

[Table 1 continued

Sample 1 Sample 2
Homoptera 144 19
Cicadellidae 85) (45) 18 (4)
Psyllidae = th (419)
Delphacidae S56 1. ((4) -
Debridae digg « CM) -
Aphidae Dy) (2) c
Coleoptera DS) -
Carabidae 1. Al) -
Leiodidae iN Bes il) -
Scaphidiidae aces) -
Staphylinidae 1S 3) -
Coccinelidae 1 362) =
Lepidoptera 1 =
unidentified moth dis, ai(s) -
Diptera 26 4
Nematocera (unidentified) 2) (2) =
Stratiomyidae he (al) =
Otitidae 8) s
Tephritidae 1 i G's) =
Heleomyzidae 2 (ah) -
Anthomyiidae LG) -
Muscidae PLE (2h) PA?)
Muscidae (?) 25) Gi) =
Tachinidae = 1 (if)
unidentified A. (2) il (Cal)
Hymenoptera 61 8
Formicidae Bye C9) 6. Gp
Braconidae a) re
Mymaridae ay ae) =
Eulophidae A (S)) =
Cynipidae Vl) -
Bethylidae eee) 7
Scelionidae - ihe (Cit)
Trigonalidae - At)
Araneida 26 =
Lycosidae TOD A) =
Clubionidae eye) r
Araneidae Ga) =
Lingphiidae Ars) =
Therididae A (2) =
Ctenidae (aN) Fy
REFERENCES

COLLINS, C.T. 1968. The comparative biology of two species of swifts in Trin-
idad, West Indies. Bulletin of the Florida State Museum 11: 257-320.

GLADWIN, T.W. & NAU, B.S. 1964. A study of Swift weights. British Birds 57:
344-356.

LACK, D. & OWEN, D.F. 1955. The food of the swift. Journal of animal Ecology
24: 120-136.

Food of the Horus Swift 13

Charles T. Collins, Department of Biology, California State University, Long
Beach, California 90840, U.S.A.

(Received 20 July 1979, revised 12 November 1979)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: MONTANE FOREST BIRDS

We would be most grateful to observers in East Africa for help in a computer
study we are undertaking. We want to see if the numbers of forest species on
different mountain 'islands' are influenced by the same factors that affect
species numbers on oceanic islands - for example altitude, isolation, forest
area. We have so far looked at data from 75 African mountains, but are in
need of more. We require lists of species from individual areas, submitted

in whatever format observers find most convenient. If possible, co-ordinates,
altitude and approximate forest size should be stated, together with the date
visited. Computerization of these data will also provide a base against which
future changes of status can be judged. We therefore require lists of recent
observations from even the best-known mountains, in case extinctions have
occurred in the historical past. Lists and offers of help will be much
appreciated, and should be sent to R.J. Dowsett. All records will be
acknowledged.

Dr T.M. Crowe, Percy Fitzpatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, Ronde-
bosch 7700, South Africa; R.J. Dowsett, Nyika National Park, P/B Chilinda,
P.O. Rumphi, Malawi.

14 Ngulia 1979/80

SOUTHWARD MIGRATION AT NGULIA, TSAVO, KENYA 1979/80
G.C. Backhurst & D.J. Pearson

This is the fourth one-season account of autumn Palaearctic migration at Ngulia
and covers the 1979/80 season although, in fact, no visits were made to the
site in early 1980. The 1978/79 season was dealt with by Backhurst & Pearson
1973.

Migration studies at Ngulia Safari Lodge between 20 October and 27 December
1979 involved 15 ornithologists, including six experienced ringers. The three
periods of cover were timed to coincide with suitable moon conditions (see
Pearson & Backhurst 1976). A record number of 13206 Palaearctic birds was
ringed; this was achieved by the fortunate coincidence of many misty nights
and higher than usual numbers of ringers and helpers. Fig. 1 shows the total
number of birds ringed each autumn season since 1969, while Table 1 is a list
of the species ringed, with their scientific names.

METHODS
For the first five seasons of the Ngulia study, catching techniques fell into
two categories: picking up live birds which had entered the Lodge building at
night, and the setting of mist-nets just south of the Lodge immediately after
first light to catch birds which had been resting around the Lodge during
Garkness. The picking up of birds by hand inside the building is a slow and
ineffecient method, while netting from dawn south of the Lodge is most pro-
ductive only after large numbers of birds have been grounded at night.

In the autumn of 1974 netting at night was begun, using an 18m net across
the Lodge verandah; the same technique was used the following season. This
method was a great improvement and enabled many birds to be caught which would
have otherwise flown in, and out, of the Lodge. The next step was taken in the
autumn of 1976, when nets were set at night outside the Lodge, immediately to
the north, in a north-south line. Outdoor night-netting has been employed each
season since then, using a maximum of two 18m nets. The great advantage of
this technique is that, under light mist conditions, birds may be caught as
they fly in to 'investigate' the lights; such birds would not, we feel, be
grounded under these conditions, and therefore would not be available for
catching after dawn. Under more severe mist/rain conditions, the outside net(s)
will catch very quickly and efficiently - often having to be closed for periods
to reduce the size of the catch to manageable proportions. Birds are still
caught by hand within the Lodge and netting after dawn south of the Lodge
continues, but the majority of the birds ringed are caught at night outside
the Lodge.

ACCOUNT OF THE SEASON
The three periods of cover during the 1979 autumn are dealt with separately
below.

20-31 October

The Lodge was manned on 20, 23, and 26-31 October. The 20th was a clear night
when no birds were seen. No netting was attempted, and only two Palaearctic
passerines (an Olivaceous Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher) were seen in the
netting area.

On 23rd, 30min of low mist from 04:50 resulted in about 15 birds being seen
round the lights, of which four were caught (two Spotted Flycatchers, a
Sprosser and a Whitethroat); more Spotted Flycatchers were heard. Four 18m
nets in the bush immediately south of the Lodge caught another four migrants

Scopus 4: 14-20, March 1980

Ngulia 1979/80 15

(x 1000)
(e) & Mghts (0)

Number of species

Number of birds ringed

69-70 70-71 71-72 72-73 73-74 74-75 75-76 76-77 77-78 78-79 79-80
Season

Fig. 1 Histogram showing the number of Palaearctic migrants ringed,
number of species, and number of nights of cover at Ngulia
Safari Lodge each October-mid February from 1969 to 1980

at dawn, including the earliest Marsh Warbler recorded at the site to date.
On 26th, light mist came down at 03:00 and remained until just before dawn.
In this period considerable numbers of migrants were seen and 109 were caught
in two 18m nets. The dominant species was the Spotted Flycatcher (53*),
followed by Whitethroat (28), Willow Warbler (9) and Sprosser (5). A single
18m net in the bush added a further 19 birds, including nine Marsh and one
Reed Warbler. This one misty night (which was unfortunately followed by five
clear, birdless nights), underlined the relatively early timing of Spotted
Flycatcher movements across Tsavo. This species accounted for 43 per cent of
the day's total and, although a further 154 were ringed later (mainly in mid
November), it never again formed more than a minor component of total catches.
Several other ‘early" species (see Backhurst & Pearson 1979) were caught on

* unless otherwise stated, numbers refer to birds ringed.

16 Ngulia 1979/80

26th October but, surprisingly, only one Rufous Bush Chat.

14-29 November

The Lodge was manned continuously, and the period accounted for almost 82 per
cent of the season's ringing total. Night-netting accounted for 9119 migrants,
on 13 of the 16 nights involved, while a further 1677 were caught after dawn
in the bush.

Light mist for 2k:h from midnight on 14th produced birds round the lights,
but clear skies after 02:30 allowed the majority to depart. The 219 birds
ringed were almost all caught at night with Marsh Warbler, Whitethroat and
Sprosser well represented (60, 57, 45), followed by Red-backed Shrike (19)
and Eurasian Nightjar (14). The next night (15th) was misty from ish before
midnight, and one to two 18m nets were operated continuously until dawn.
Whitethroat was still dominant (341), but it was a remarkable night for Eur-
asian Nightjars, no less than 42 being ringed. Shrikes too were plentiful
(Red-backed 35, Red-tailed 21), and the season's first Eurasian Rollers were
ringed. The night was also notable in producing the first-ever control at
Ngulia of a foreign-ringed bird: a Marsh Warbler which had been ringed as an
"f.g.' at Razice, Czechoslovakia on 7 August 1977. The large (808) number of
birds caught at night precluded any later bush netting.

The next four nights were all misty, and with up to eight personnel involved,
produced an unprecedented series of overall daily ringing totals: 1009, 1201,
1016 and 983. These four nights were virtually devoid of rain; numbers of birds
in the bush were never very high, and the great majority were caught at night.
Numbers of Eurasian Nightjars declined rapidly (17, 20, 1, 0) but shrikes
(201 in all) reached their peak, and Spotted Flycatchers continued in good
numbers (32, 35, 13, 14). Although single River Warblers were ringed on 14th
and 15th, they became more numerous during these four nights when the total
rose to 52, while the first Garden Warblers were caught on 17th. Marsh Warbler
and Whitethroat continued as dominant birds, but with large daily variations
in their relative numbers: 178.v. 407, 390 v. 355, 497°v. 229 and 636 v7. 155
(Marsh Warbler v. Whitethroat ringing totals). These four nights also pro-
duced good numbers of some minor species; for example, four more Eurasian
Rollers, the season's only Corncrake and Golden Oriole (both on 17th), 30
Olive-tree Warblers, 145 Rufous Bush Chats, 30 Nightingales and 18 Rock
Thrushes. In addition, the 19th was notable for the second Czechoslovakian-
ringed Marsh Warbler, a bird which had been ringed in its first year at Zahr-
adky on 30 July 1976, and for the only retrap from an earlier year: another
Marsh Warbler originally ringed at Ngulia as a first-year bird on 23 December
1976. Both these controls were caught and released at night.

The nights of 20th and 21st were mainly clear, but light rain shortly before
dawn on 22nd brought a few birds down and 222 were ringed. The night of 23rd
was misty for 34h before dawn; 557 birds were caught (mainly at night) and
again, only a few hundreds remained in the bush at dawn.

The evening of 23rd was cloudy with some rain. Birds were seen at 21:00 and
became numerous as mist came down to the trees an hour later. Catching started
at 22:20 with 27m of net, and continued all night until dawn. The night's
total of 1078,together with a further 374 in the bush next morning, comprised
a daily ringing record for Ngulia. Marsh Warbler was dominant (791) followed
by Whitethroat (353), and Sprosser a poor third (101). River Warbler (48) was
much in evidence, as was Willow Warbler (36). Hippolais species were well
represented, with five Upcher's, five Olivaceous and no less than a record
21 Olive-tree Warblers. The 17 Basra Reed Warblers ringed were noteworthy, as
was a young male Little Bittern of the nominate race, caught by hand in the
building. The last was a new bird for Ngulia although examples of the African
race payesii have been recorded previously. This was the first night with

Ngulia 1979/80 17

TABLE 1

Numbers of Palaearctic night migrants ringed at Ngulia Safari Lodge
between October and February in the years 1969-1980

RP ES SE TS FS SE SR

Species 1979/80 %* 1969/80
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus 2, = Z
Corncrake Crex crex 1 = 6
Scops Owl Otus scops 1 _ 1
Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus 106 505 162
Eurasian Roller Coracias garrulus 10 700 22
Eurasian Swallow Hirundo rustica (at night) 20 237 79
Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 1 100 9
Rufous Bush Chat Cercotrichas galactotes 224 502 541
Irania Irania gutturalis 271 284 950
Sprosser Luscinia luscinia 1780 188 8524
Nightingale L. megarhynchos TL 202 322
Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis QF 450 70
Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina 6 93 51
Northern Wheatear O. oenanthe 11 171 56
Pied Wheatear O. pleschanka 4 122 27
Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 6 280 21
Basra Reed Warbler A. griseldis 76 208 334
Marsh Warbler A. palustris 5126 374 14 879
Sedge Warbler A. schoenobaenus 8 170 bal
Reed Warbler A. scirpaceus ml 193 52
Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida 28 a7 198
Olive-tree Warbler H. olivetorum PI 430 205
Olivaceous Warbler H. pallida 81 346 247
River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis 380 215 1644
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 229 305 759
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 1 16 45
Garden Warbler S. borin 40 87 366
Whitethroat S. communis 3930 302 13°65
Barred Warbler S.nisoria 81 182 396
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 209 968 360
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 4 234 16
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio 197 347 600
Red-tailed Shrike L. isabellinus 187 507 502
Hybrid collurioxisabellinus 2 = 4
Total ringed 13 206 44 686

* The 1979/80 total expressed as a percentage of the 1972/79 mean for each species

Totals of species ringed in previous seasons but not in 1979/80 are as follows:
Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae 1, Spotted Crake Porzana porzana 1, Eurasian
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 2, Lesser Cuckoo C. poliocephalus 1, Sand Martin Riparia
riparia 5, Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 1, Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 2,
Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina 1, Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides 1,
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix 1, and Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 3.

frequent heavy showers as well as mist, and this was reflected in the large
number of birds grounded in the bush at dawn (>10000).

The next three nights were all misty, with very many birds attracted to the
lights. The catch of 1307 on 25th (1132 at night) involved primarily White-
throats (479), and Marsh Warblers (406), with Sprosser a good third at 261

18 Ngulia 1979/80

(the season's highest total for this last species; cf. 373 on 29 November
1978). Marsh Warbler regained dominant place in a catch of 1219 the following
day, but the highlight was the record total of 105 River Warblers ringed.
Despite failure of the easternmost light on 27th, 643 birds were ringed. Mist
was especially low and dense, and the fall at dawn larger than usual; 240 birds
caught after dawn represented the second largest bush figure of the season.
Marsh Warbler was again dominant (357), but River Warbler (18) surprisingly
scarce after the previous day; new to Ngulia was a Palaearctic Scops Owl
netted at 03:30. The last two nights of the period were completely clear and
no netting was done.

13-27 December

These 15 days accounted for just over 17 per cent of the season's ringing
total. Most nights were misty and surprisingly high numbers of birds were

still on the move. Fewer personnel were present which, to some extent, affected
numbers ringed. Marsh Warbler, Whitethroat and Sprosser continued as the main
species (in that order); Sprossers were unusually numerous for so late in the
season, with an overall total of 328 for the period. Olive-tree Warbler, as
usual at this time, was not recorded; other usual species occurred, but with
percentage contributions to catches often varying widely from day to day.

On 13th, 285 birds ringed included a record 42 Iranias; there were also five
Rufous Bush Chats on this day, single Eurasian Nightjar and Spotted Flycatcher,
and two Tree Pipits. The 20th provided the largest fall of the period (614
ringed) with 363 Marsh and eight Basra Reed Warblers, and the second nominate
Little Bittern (again a young male) netted at night.

On Christmas night catching started with two 18m nets when the mist appeared
at 23:15, and continued at a brisk pace, forcing the two operators to take the
nets down at 04:30 to enable the bulk of the accumulated birds to be processed.
Daytime netting resulted in 61 birds ringed, giving a combined day/night total
of 445, exceptionally high for so late in the year. Whitethroat was dominant
with Marsh Warbler next most numerous (115) and a high (74) number of Sprossers.
Other species were still moving in substantial numbers, and 31 Iranias, 18
Willow Warblers and 14 Rivers were caught. The last netting-night of the
season (27th) produced only 2h of mist, which never descended below tree-top
level; 158 birds were caught (night and day) including 35 Sprossers and a late
Eurasian Nightjar.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER YEARS

Each year's recorded autumn migration at Ngulia differs from the previous
season's in several ways. Differences are sometimes attributable to different
date coverage, in turn determined by the moon's phases. Thus, for example,
if late November and early December fall in a full moon period, the peak of
the River Warbler passage is likely to be missed. Weather, though, is the
most usual cause of recorded season-to-season differences in species" abund-
ance. Misty conditions in late October are rare, so that birds migrating at
this time are seldom grounded, and therefore not caught. In the one substant-
ial October catch this season the Spotted Flycatcher was shown to be dominant;
this has not been so convincingly demonstrated previously, although often
suspected on the basis of visual observations elsewhere in the Park.

Differences in real timing of migration of individual species undoubtedly
occur, but these are often difficult to demonstrate because of moon and
weather differences from season to season.

Fig. 2 opposite. Daily catches of the 17 major species of Palaearctic migrants
ringed at Ngulia Safari Lodge from late October to late December 1979,
expressed as percentages of the season's total catch for each species.

40

30

Eurasian Nightjar Rufous Bush Chat

20

10

20 Spotted Flycatcher Olive-tree

Warbler

20 Red-backed Shrike Red-tailed Shrike

Basra Reed Warbler Marsh Warbler

Upcher's Warbler Olivaceous Warbler

20 Willow Warbler River Warbler

10

10 Whitethroat

Barred Warbler

10 Irania | Sprosser

Palaearctic
birds

10 Nightingale

OCT NOV DEC OCT NOV DEC

19

20 Ngulia 1979/80

THE VALUE OF NGULIA IN THE FUTURE
The lights of Ngulia Safari Lodge, coupled with the topography of the site,
have shown convincingly that vast numbers of Palaearctic migrants move south
in eastern Africa several months after they have left their northern breed-
ing areas (Pearson & Backhurst 1976). In addition to revealing the identity
of the main species, a number of less common birds have been caught at the
site, often providing considerable extension of range information for the
species concerned. Most seasons have thrown up records in this category and,
no doubt, future seasons will provide more.

It could be argued that catching at Ngulia is unlikely to provide many new
data, save for records of rare and unusual species from time to time. In some
ways this is so although it ignores one important aspect of the ringing of
large numbers of birds - that of recoveries: Even after over 70 years of Old
World ringing, the migration routes and winter quarters of all but a few
species remain unknown to man. Ngulia ringing has already provided 17 long-
distance recoveries and many more can be expected from 21000 ringed in the
last two seasons. As has been mentioned before (Backhurst 1971), ringing in
the Ethiopian region for recoveries in the Palaearctic produces better results
for most species than the reverse. The usual restraint operating in Africa
with migrant warblers and thrushes is the difficulty of catching enough of
them. This is not so at Ngulia. On many nights the number of birds which can
be caught is determined almost solely by the number of ringers and helpers
present. It seems to us that, in the future, a determined effort should be
made at this site to ring as many birds as possible, with the prime aim of
getting as many recoveries as possible, both to the north and to the south.

A logical extension of the Ngulia autumn programme would be the investig-
ation of other misty hills in Kenya, to determine the breadth of the migrat-—
ion front, and to look for differences in species composition, migration
timing and even (by recoveries), breeding origin; a start has been made in
this regard (Nilolaus in prep.). Similar studies elsewhere in Africa, especial-
ly to the south of Kenya, should provide a valuable complement to the work at
Ngulia.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Once again we would like to thank Mr Bill Woodley, the Warden of Tsavo National
Park, for allowing us tonet and ring at the Lodge. The Lodge Manager, Mr Roger
Chambers and his wife Jan gave us every assistance: without their help nothing
could have been achieved; we cannot thank them enough for all they did to make
our stay at the Lodge a success. A larger than normal number of ornithologists
took part this season; these are listed below with (in brackets) the number of
nights each spent at the Lodge: GCB (33), Mrs A.M. Forbes-Watson (27), DJP (13),
P. Jennings (12), G. Nikolaus (10), Miss M. Raguschat (10), Mrs D.E.G. Backhurst
(4), D.A. & Mrs M. Turner (3), P.L. Britton (2), M. Coverdale (2), A. Lewis (2),
R.D. Moore (2), A.E. Butterworth (1) and J.D. Gerhart (1). GCB thanks the Frank
M. Chapman Memorial Fund for financial assistance which, incidentally, has been
used to buy all the rings used this season, and for which all ringers are
grateful.

REFERENCES

BACKHURST, G.C. 1971. East African Bird Ringing Report 1969-1970. Journal of
the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum 123: 1-14.

—_——————. & PEARSON, D.J. 1979. Southward migration at Ngulia, Tsavo,
Kenya 1978/79. Scopus 3: 19-25.

PEARSON, D.J. & BACKHURST, G.C. 1976. The southward migration of Palaearctic
birds over Ngulia, Kenya. Ibis 118: 78-105.

G.C. Backhurst, Box 24702, Nairobi and D.J. Pearson, Box 30197, Nairobi.

(Received 10 January 1980)

Short communications ' hl

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

FICEDULA FLYCATCHERS IN EAST AFRICA Backhurst, Britton & Mann (1973) and
other recent authors admit two Palaearctic flycatchers in the genus Ficedula
to the avifauna of East Africa: the Pied Flycatcher F. hypoleuca and the
Collared Flycatcher F. albicollis (both the nominate race and the eastern
semitorquata). Records of males in black and white adult plumage, supported by
specimens or critical and detailed field descriptions, are assignable to one
of these three taxa, but birds in other plumages are often intermediate. An
examination of the specimens and descriptions of birds reported as hypoleuca
in Uganda and western Kenya has shown that there is no entirely satisfactory
record. Apart from the problem of identification, the taxonomy of the three
taxa involved is also confused. Voous (1977) recognizes three species while
other authors admit two, including semitorquata either with albicollis (for
example Vaurie 1959) or with hypoleuca (for example Mackworth-Praed & Grant
1960). Following Vaurie (1959) for nomenclature, the reappraisal detailed
below confirms that the Collared Flycatcher (represented by two races) is a
regular visitor to parts of East Africa (mainly western Tanzania), while
further data might reveal that the Pied Flycatcher winters in small numbers
in the forests of Uganda and western Kenya.

Most records of the Collared Flycatcher are from miombo woodland in Tanzania
(west of 36°E), where it is regular and sometimes reasonably common in January
to February in parts of the Tabora and Iringa regions, and fairly common on
passage (28 September to 6 November, 20 February to 4 March) in Kibondo District
(Backhurst et al. 1973, I.H. Dillingham in litt.). Both semitorquata and the
nominate race are involved. The latter is common on autumn passage in Rwanda
(Vande weghe 1979) and the only race known from Zambia (Benson, Brooke, Dowsett,
and Irwin 1971), yet males from Kibondo on 24 February and 6 October (Dilling-
ham in litt.) and a female from Ng'iya in western Kenya on 2 October (Britton
& Britton 1973, racial determination by D.J. Pearson) are the only definite
records from East Africa. There are specimens or good sight records of adult
male semitorquata from Iringa, Njombe and Tabora in January-February, Kibondo
on 21 February, Budongo Forest and Butiaba in western Uganda on 22 February
and 15 March, and the Mara River in western Kenya on 3 March (Backhurst et al.
1973, Chapin 1953, Mann 1974, Dillingham in litt.). These records provide
little evidence of passage of the Collared Flycatcher through Uganda and
western Kenya, but several of the indeterminate birds (east to Nairobi) listed
below probably belong here.

An immature male collected at Kakamega Forest in western Kenya on 8 December
1965 was claimed by Ripley & Bond (1971) as a first record of F. hypoleuca
for Kenya. At the instigation of G.C. Backhurst, J.S. Ash examined this speci-
men critically and concluded (in litt.) that it should be relegated to an
"almost certain' category, as the possibility of semitorquata could not be
excluded entirely. A number of other indeterminate birds, many of them origin-
ally claimed as hypoleuca, are listed below. Apart from the wintering birds
in the forests of western Kenya, which might be hypoleuca, dates suggest
passage, which would fit with nominate albicollis or semitorquata en route
to and from winter quarters in the southern tropics:

Kakamega Forest: female collected on 24 December 1970 (J.F. Harper), one
seen on 31 January 1971 (C.F. Mann), two seen on 21 November (H.A. Britton,
PLB), and two seen on 31 October 1974 (D.A. Turner).

Mt Elgon: females collected on 5 November 1926 (Granvik 1934) and 14 January
1976 (J.G. Williams).

Mau Narok: adult male seen on 20 December 1974 (P.H.B. Sessions).

Scopus 4: 21-22, March 1980

22 Short communications

Nairobi: one seen on 14-18 October 1974 (D.A. Turner).

Kampala: singles seen on 29 September 1966 (D.J. Pearson) and 24 September
1968 (R. Frankum), adult male seen on 26 February 1968 and female ringed
on 7 September 1970 (R. Frankum).

Kabalega Falls National Park: single adult males seen at Paraa and Chobe in
March 1969 (R. Wheater, A. Ziegler).

Masindi: female collected on 16 September 1906 (Chapin 1953).

Toro: females collected on 2 February and 3 March (Jackson 1938).

Rwenzori National Park: one ringed on 5 March 1971 (M.P.L. Fogden).

Mbarara: adult male seen in March 1970 (G.N. Harrington).

REFERENCES

BACKHURST, G.C., BRITTON, 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.

BENSON, C.W., BROOKE, R.K., DOWSETT, R.J. & IRWIN, M.P.S. 1971. The birds of
Zambia. London: Collins.

BRITTON, P.L. & BRITTON, H.A. 1973. A Collared Flycatcher and Red-footed Falcon
in western Kenya. EANHS Bulletin 1973: 94-95.

CHAPIN, J.P. 1953. The birds of the Belgian Congo, part 3. Bulletin of the
American Museum of Natural History 75A: 1-821.

GRANVIK, H. 1934. The ornithology of northwestern Kenya Colony. Revue Zoolog-
igque et Botanique Africaines 25: 1-190.

MANN, C.F. 1974. A record of a Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis semi-
torgquata in western Kenya. EANHS Bulletin 1974: 78.

RIPLEY, S.D. & BOND, G.M. 1971. Systematic notes on a collection of birds from
Kenya. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 111: 1-21.

VANDE WEGHE, J-P. 1979. The wintering and migration of Palaearctic passerines
in Rwanda. Le Gerfaut 69: 29- 43.

VAURIE, C. 1959. The birds of the Palearctic fauna [Order Passeriformes].
London: Witherby.

VOOUS, K.H. 1977. List of recent Holarctic bird species. London: British Orn-
ithologists' Union/Academic Press. (Reprinted from Ibis but with corrections
and amendments.)

P.L. Britton, Box 90163, Mombasa. Received i1 November 1979

ARABIAN GOLDEN SPARROWS PASSER EUCHLORUS IN SOMALIA AND DJIBOUTI The Arabian
Golden Sparrow Passer euchlorus has had an unstable taxonomic history. Origin-
ally described as Auripasser euchlorus, it was later regarded by White (1963)
as a subspecies of Passer luteus. Subsequently, Hall & Moreau (1970) again
raised it to specific status, and regarded it and two other atypical sparrows,
P. luteus and eminibey, as being divergent members of a superspecies.

Passer euchlorus is shown by Hall & Moreau (1970) to have a very restricted
range in southwestern Arabia and extreme northwestern Somalia; however, these
authors indicate that it may not have survived on the Somali coast, where it
was at one time established. This statement is probably based largely on the
fact that Meinertzhagen (1954) was unable to find the bird there in 1949.
Although P. euchlorus and P. luteus are allopatric, it will be shown here that
their distributions are in even closer proximity than Hall & Moreau show on

Scopus 4: 22-24, March 1980

Short communications 23

their map. We shall also provide evidence that P. euchlorus is still present
and breeding on the African continent, and that its range is probably much
the same as it was formerly.

Previous observations The first P. euchlorus in Africa were found by Erlanger
(1907) , who collected three males and a female at Zeila (11°21'N, 43°28'E)

on 10 January 1900, when he saw them in flocks of 20-30. Archer & Godman (1961)
found many hundreds of pairs breeding in thorn trees in the irrigated gardens
at Takoshe (11°20'N, 43°24'E) in mid-May 1922, but stated that they did not
come near the town of Zeila only 8km away. On 14 May most nests contained
young, or highly incubated eggs. Archer also found a breeding colony further
south-east along the coast at Gerih (= Lubba Gerih at 10°24'N, 44°37'E), east
of Bulhar. No date is given for this, and we are unable to trace any other
records.

Recent observations We made a special quest for P. euclorus in May 1979,
visiting both Zeila and Takoshe and travelling along the coast south-eastwards
to Berbera. From 9-12 May we saw four small flocks, each numbering 12-25 birds,
at Takoshe and Zeila and between the two localities. We found no trace of
breeding there, although it was very likely taking place, for a male collected
on 12th had advanced gonads (testes: 10mm). Further east, at Sabawanak
(10°33'N, 44°08'E), there was a party of six birds next day. Later, on 13th,
at 2i1km east of Bulhar, we came across four more, and after a further 2km
found at least 100 pairs nesting in acacias in a very arid area of coastal
dunes at Lubba Gerih (see above). We checked about 40 nests and although all
were lined, and both displaying males and females were present, no eggs had
been laid. Three males at this site had fully developed testes of 10, 11 and
limm, and the largest follicle of a female was 7.5mm in diameter.

Several years earlier, one of us (JSA) found P. euchlorus in Djibouti, where
there were 15 in Stereospermum-like trees near the airport (11°33'N, 43°09'E)
on 27 December 1975, when several of the males were singing. This site is only
about 36km north-west of Takoshe.

Discussion The Arabian Golden Sparrow never seems to have been branded as a
pest, as has P. luteus across the Sahel zone of Africa, although JSA saw
them in numbers large enough to cause damage to small-grain cereals on the
coastal plain south of Al Hodeida (14°50'N, 42°58'E), Yemen, in January 1976.
On the African side their occurrences in Djibouti and at Sabawanak are new,
but these sites are within, or close to, their coastal range as plotted by
Erlanger, and Archer & Godman. Certainly there is no indication that their
range, unlike that of the Somali Sparrow P.castanopterus (Ash, Miskell &
Murshid, in prep.), is increasing; nor that there has been any major change
in their abundance. This suggests that northern Somalia is at the southern
edge of their area of ‘ecological suitability', and that they are unlikely to
develop as a potential pest to agricultural crops further south. The fact that
several other observers, notably Meinertzhagen (1954), R.G. Allan (in litt.)
and M.H. Barre (pers. comm.) did not see them on visits within their Somalia
range, may only indicate that they are nomadic outside the breeding season,
and are then far less easy to see.

Hall & Moreau (1970) show that the gap in the distribution of P. luteus at
its most easterly point in Eritrea is only some 650km away from the nearest
P.euchlorus in Africa. This gap can be reduced considerably now. Passer luteus
was common in 1973-1977 along the Awash River in Ethiopia at Aseita (11°33'N,
41°26'E) (JSA, pers. obs.), to where it may have spread in recent years,
following agricultural development under irrigation. Only one is cited from
that area in Hill, Hill, Santi & Robertson (1970), in the period 1966-1969.
It may be that P. luteus is a more adaptable species, and thus more likely

24 Short communications

to take advantage of a new situation. A fascinating genetic situation would
arise should the two populations ever come together.

Acknowledgements We wish to thank R.G. Allan and M.H. Barre for their observ-
ations on their journeys in northern Somalia.

REFERENCES
ASH, J.S., MISKELL, J.E. & MURSHID, A.A. (in prep.). The spread of the Somali
Sparrow Passer castanopterus in Somalia.

ERLANGER, C. von 1907. Beitrdge zur Vogelfauna Nordostafrikas. V. Journal fiir
Ornithologie 1907: 1-58.

HILL, G.G., HILL, M., SANTI, G. & ROBERTSON, L. 1970. Dubte plantation check-
list of birds. Walia 2: 41-65.

MEINERTZHAGEN, R. 1954. Birds of Arabia. Edinburgh & London: Oliver & Boyd.

J.S. Ash, J.E. Miskell and Ali A. Murshid, U.N.D.P., Box 24, Mogadishu, Somalia
Received 12 November 1979.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE CHESTNUT-BANDED SANDPLOVER CHARADRIUS PALLIDUS IN TANZANIA
The Chestnut-banded Sandplover Charadrius pallidus, is recorded in Tanzania
from Lakes Natron and Manyara and from Lake Magadi in Ngorongoro Crater.

I recently found the species in two more localities, both extending the known
distribution southwards in East Africa. On 1 November 1978 I found a small
number of C. pallidus at Ilinde (5°56'S, 35°31'E), a small soda lake near
Dodoma. The birds were feeding on the edge of a small pool of water alongside
the more numerous Kittlitz's Sandplover C. pecuarius. At this time the lake
was almost completely dry, with only two small pools of water remaining.

The heavy rains during the early months of 1979, and also a severe petrol
shortage, precluded further visits to Ilinde until 6 June 1979, when I found
the water level very high, leaving no exposed areas of soda; I was not too
Surprised when I failed to locate any C. pallidus. It was not until 8 July,
when the water level had dropped a little, that I again found a few birds at
the lake. On this visit I found both Blacksmith Plovers Vanelius armatus and
Kittlitz's Sandplovers breeding, but no nests of C. pallidus. On 8 August
1979 I finally found a nest of C. pallidus. It was situated 30m from the
water's edge, but adjacent to a wet patch of soda. The two eggs appeared to
have been laid in a mammal's footprint, and there appeared to be no nest
decoration. The eggs were stained with soda, but buffy in colour with black
blotches. On subsequent visits I found two pairs of chicks with adults, but no
more nest sites.

On 10 November 1979 I located C. pailidus rather further south. These birds
were feeding with a group of C. pecuarius at the southeastern corner of Bahi
Swamp (6°14'S, 35°18'E).

D.K. Richards, Box 655, Conakry, Guinee Received 14 March 1980
Scopus 4: 24, March 1980

NOTICE: BIRDS OF EAST AFRICA

This is to remind readers that the special pre-publication offer for this book
will expire on 30 April 1980. Until that date prices (including surface postage)
are: East Africa, KShs. 90.00; rest of the world, KShs. 100.00, Sterling £6.00
or US $13.00. From ist May prices will be (including surface postage): East
Africa, KShs. 125.00; rest of the world, KShs- 130-200), £6.00 ores 200. bn
cases cheques should be made out to Birds of East Africa, and sent to D.A. Turner
Box 48019, Nairobi, Kenya.

Continued fromeinstde front cover

"References'; the name(s) of the author(s) and date(s) of publication should be
given in the text in the normal way. A list of the works concerned is given below.

Observers are asked to send in records of birds for inclusion in the annual
East African bird report issue. Records which appear in the Wattonal Musewns of
Kenya Department of Ornithology Newsletter will be reviewed for the annual
report but, in the case of rare birds or birds showing an extension of range,
full details supporting the record should be submitted, whether the record is
sent to the Wewsletter or Scopus - this will save correspondence later on.

All contributions should be sent to Dr D.J. Pearson, Department of Biochemistry,
University of Nairobi, Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya.

WORKS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE LISTED UNDER REFERENCES

FORBES-WATSON, A.D. 1971. Skeleton checklist of East African birds. Nairobi
(duplicated). = Forbes-Watson 1971.

HALL, B.P. & MOREAU, R.E. 1970. An atlas of spectatton tn African Passerine birds.
London: British MuSeum (Nat. Hist.). = Hall & Moreau 1970.

JACKSON, F.J. 1938. The birds of Kenya Colony and the Uganda Protectorate. 3 vols.
London: Gurney & Jackson. = Jackson 1938

MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1957 & 1960. African handbook of birds.
Series I, vols 1 & 2. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. 2nd Edition.
London: Longmans Green & Co. = Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1957 and/or 1960.

MOREAU, R.E. 1966. The bird faunas of Africa and its tslands. London: Academic
Press. = Moreau 1966.

1972. The Palaearcttc-African bird migration systems. London:
Academic Press. = Moreau 1972.

WHITE, C.M.N. 1960. A check list of the Ethiopian Muscicapidae (Sylviinae) Part I
Oceastonal papers of the National Musewns of Southern Rhodesta 3 (24B): 399-
430. = White 1960.

1961. A revised check list of African broadbills....etc. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1961.

1962a. A check list of the Ethiopian Muscicapidae (Sylviinae) Parts
II and III. Occasional papers of the National Museums of Southern Rhodesia
3 (26B): 653-738. = White 1962a.

1962b. A revised check list of African shrikes....etc. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1962b.

1963. A revised check list of African flycatchers....etc. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1963.

1965. A revised check list of African Non-Passerine birds. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1965.

WILLIAMS, J.G. 1967. A fteld guide to the Nattonal Parks of East Africa. London:
Collins. = Williams 1967.

1969. A field guide to the birds of East and Central Africa.
4th impression. London: Collins. = Williams 1969.

PLB. LAMEORR Lhe
(Gallinago

J.S. ASH. Common
in Somalia

CHARLES T. COLLIN
in Kenya

G.C. BACKHURST an
Kenya 1979

Short communicati
Py Raia

Jol) ASE,
Passer e

D.K. RICHARDS.

Charadri

Request for infor

Notice: Birds of

CONTENTS

field separation of Common, Ethiopian and Great Snipe

gallinago, nigripennis and media) ....

and Lesser Noddy Anous stolidus and A. tenuirostris

S. Notes on the food of the Horus Swift Apus horus

. - . . . . . . . . . . . .

d D.J. PEARSON. Southward migration at Ngulia, Tsavo,

BO. Sax Si Ee, 8, OE Aa ears) tak a ee oe

ons

ON. Ficedula flycatchers in East Africa

J.E. MISKELL and ALI A. MURSHID. Arabian Golden Sparrows

uchilorus in Somalia and Di Lbouew = ss.

GS foRlisiGhore aia, WWeiNwAEVMLEL 5 « 6 6 ¢

mation: Montane forest birds .....

BASE -ABRTCAl (64 cous. taky ed Tor) eee) Ce

Printed in Kenya by IAL, Box 19012, Nairobi

Distribution of the Chestnut-banded Sandplover

10

14

Pei

Dia

24

3)

24

ISSN 0250-4162

MUS. COMP. ZOOL.
LIRRARY

JAN 1 4 198)

HARVARD

SCOPUS

A quarterly ornithological publication
of the East Africa Natural History Society

Volume 4 (2) June 1980 15 shillings

SCOPUS

Scopus is published five times a year by the East Africa Natural History
Society's Ornithological Sub-Committee. Subscriptions are payable to the Hon.
Treasurer (and Secretary), D.A. Turner, Scopus a/c, Box 48019, Nairobi, Kenya,
at the following rates:

1. For East African members of the E.A.N.H.S., Kenya Shs.50.00.

2. For members of the E.A.N.H.S. abroad, a) surface mail: £4.00 or US $7.00,
b) aixz marl: £5.50) or US S10R00).

3. For non-members of the E.A.N.H.S. in East Africa, Kenya Shs.75.00.

4. For non-members of the E.A.N.H.S. abroad, a) surface mail: £5.50 or
US $10.00 b) air mail, £7.00 or US$13.00.

Those wishing to remit by bank transfer should do so to D.A. Turner, Scopus a/c,
No. 2852601, Barclays International Ltd., Market Branch, Box 30018, Nairobi.

All material for Scopus, including papers, short communications, and records of
birds, should be sent to the Chairman of the Ornithological Sub-Committee,

Dr D.J. Pearson, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, Box 30197,
Nairobi. 'Notes for Contributors' are given below.

Other members of the Sub-Committee are: G.C. Backhurst (Editor of Seopus and
Ringing Organizer - Nairobi), P.L. Britton (Mombasa), Mrs Hazel A. Britton (Nest
Record Scheme Organizer - Mombasa), Dr Margaret Carswell (Kampala), Dr A.W. Dia-
mond (Nairobi), A.D. Forbes-Watson (Oxford), Dr J.D. Gerhart (Nairobi),

Dr K.M. Howell (Dar es Salaam), C.F. Mann (London), B.S. Meadows (Nairobi) ,

J.F. Reynolds (Nairobi) and D.K. Richards (Dodoma) .

NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS

Scopus welcomes original contributions in English on all aspects of the ornith-
ology of eastern Africa pertinent to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Contributions
will be assessed by the Sub-Committee and by independent referees. The material
published in Scopus will normally be divided into 'papers' and ‘short communi-
cations', the latter will usually be less than two Scopus-pages in length.

Contributions should be typed in double spacing on one side of the paper only,
with wide margins all round, and they should be submitted in duplicate.
Exceptionally, clear hand-written MSS will be considered but these too should

be sent in duplicate. Both English and scientific names of birds should be given
when the species is first mentioned, thereafter only one should be used.
Normally, authorities for taxa should not be given.

Illustrations should be on bristol board, good quality white paper or tracing
paper, in line - i.e. black on white, and should not be larger than 18 x 29cm..
Lettering (in black) will be the responsibility of the author and should be
done neatly in Letraset or stencils; due allowance should be made for reduction
to the final printed size. Each illustration should be numbered (Fig.1, etc.)
and provided with a legend typed on 'a separate sheet of paper. Photographs will
be considered if they are absolutely necessary

Tables, which should also be numbered, should appear tn the typescript. Metric
units should be used. If non-metric units were used in the original observation
or experiment, the approximate metric equivalent should be given in brackets.

Any references cited should be listed at the end of the contribution following
the form used in this issue. Names of pertodtcals should be gtven tn full.
A number of works, which are cited frequently, should not be listed under

Continued tnstde back cover

Scopus 4 (2) June 1980

SCOPUS

NORTHWARD SPRING PASSAGE OF PALAEARCTIC PASSERINES ACROSS TSAVO

Dod<« Pearson

There is ample evidence of heavy southward Palaearctic movement through the
bushlands of southeast and east central Kenya during November and December.
The great majority of the world's Marsh Warblers', Sprossers and River
Warblers, together with most of the Whitethroats bound for southern Africa,
and Iranias, Rufous Bush Chats, Red-tailed Shrikes and Barred Warblers bound
for northeastern Tanzania, pass on a narrow front east of Mts Kenya and
Kilimanjaro each autumn. This movement is much in evidence from Isiolo and
Meru, south through Ukambani to Tsavo and the Taita Hills area, and has been
studied extensively at Ngulia (see, for example, Pearson & Backhurst 1976a).
Far less is known, however, about corresponding spring return movements.
Thus, although Whitethroats are often common in April around Nairobi (Pearson
& Backhurst 1976b) , they are observed only in small numbers at this time in
and around Tsavo (P.C. Lack, pers. comm., author's observations). Numbers of
spring Marsh Warblers and Sprossers recorded in eastern Kenya have also been
small, and there were a mere four Kenyan spring records of the River Warbler
wp to 1979.

Since they are very rarely recorded further west in spring, it has been
assumed that the species characteristic of the eastern Kenyan autumn move-
ment return northwards by approximately the same route. However, they clearly
have little tendency to come to ground and pause on migration at this time
of year, as they do for example around Tsavo during December. Indeed, the
only migrant passerines regularly observed in these bushlands during April
appear to be the Red-backed Shrike, the Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor and
the Willow Warbler. The misty conditions and late night rain which attract
falls of birds to Ngulia Lodge rarely occur there during April, and for
Many years spring visits added little information on overhead migration.
Observations during April 1977 (Britton & Britton 1977) demonstrated a heavy
movement of Whitethroats. More recently, falls at the Lodge during April
1980 provided evidence of a northward migration of considerable magnitude
and variety.

SPRING OBSERVATIONS AT NGULIA, 1971-1979
In all, the Lodge was manned on 27 spring days over this period, on dates
ranging from 31 March to 29 April, by D.E.G. & G.C. Backhurst, H.A. & P.L.
Britton or the author. Most of the nights concerned were mist free, and
often windy, with any rain confined to the evening, and the hours before
dawn completely clear.

The few spring birds caught up to 1976 comprised mainly Whitethroats,
Marsh Warblers, Willow Warblers and Sedge Warblers, the last of these a
species rarely encountered in autumn. The only productive period was 24-26
April 1973, when 184 migrants were ringed. These were not, however, grounded

* Scientific names of most species mentioned in the text are given in Table 1.

Scopus 4: 25-28, June 1980

26 Spring passage across Tsavo

under typical Lodge conditions. Nights were clear, and migrants were on this
occasion unusually abundant in the Ngulia Hills generally. The main species
were the four mentioned above, but the catch also included several Red-backed
Shrikes and Great Reed Warblers, a single Sprosser and a single River Warbler.
On 13 April 1977, a major fall was witnessed at the Lodge for the first
time, not in mist, but with heavy storms at night and around dawn (Britton &
Britton 1977). Thousands of birds, predominantly Whitethroats, were grounded,
with smaller numbers of Sprossers, Willow Warblers and Red-backed Shrikes,
but surprisingly few Marsh Warblers. Many of these birds were very fat. The
same year, on the moonless night of 22 April, when unfortunately no ringer
was present, a member of the Lodge staff, J.M. Muema, noted thick mist and
drizzle, and it was of considerable interest that he reported finding dead
birds, probably Whitethroats, in the building next morning. On 8 April 1978,
showers between dusk and midnight brought tens of birds, Whitethroat identif-
iable amongst them, into view above the lights, but the sky cleared, and
although a River Warbler was caught, practically no migrants remained at dawn.

THE FALLS OF APRIL 1980
During 1980, the effects of low mist and showers on a moonless April night
were finally witnessed in detail. Rain early in the month was confined to
afternoon and evening. Conditions were unusually warm and humid, and there was
no sign then, or indeed later in the month, of the strong southeast breeze
usual in April. To judge from local reports, light mist probably occurred on
12th, and certainly did so on i3th. The author arrived at the Lodge at 09:30
on 13th, and found migrants still present in the nearby bush, which included
at least 20 Sedge Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 3 Great Reed Warblers and 2 Marsh
Warblers, species not noted earlier that morning either in Tsavo West or at
Voi.

The Lodge was visited again by the author on 16-18 April. The early hours
of 16th, with a new moon, produced a very large fall. Complete cloud cover
descended to ground level between 01:00 and 02:30; it lifted slightly, but
was rarely above 5m before dawn. There was one 10min shower around 03:30.
Birds were moving continuously in the bushes behind the lights, and a singie
20m net operated for 3h caught 230 migrants. There were well over i000
birds in the bush next morning, and 120 were netted. Again, the main species
involved were Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Marsh Warbler. There were a few
Sprossers, while River Warblers (15 caught), Great Reed Warblers (16), Red-
backed Shrikes (21) and a single Olive-tree Warbler were particularly note-
worthy. There appeared to be little movement of Ethiopian species. The
occasional Harlequin Quail Coturnix delegorguei was seen, and a single Button
Quail Turnix sylvatica was found dead. A Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii
and a Madagascar Squacco Heron Ardeola idae were present near the Lodge
after dawn.

The conditions encountered on this day were precisely those which so often
produce large falls during late autumn. Numbers seen were rather lower than
would have been expected during peak southward passage, however, with fewer
birds immediately outside the buildings. This was understandable as birds
were presumably attracted down to the glow of the Lodge as they approached
high over the ridge from the south. Approaching birds are perhaps flying
lower in autumn, and must be influenced by the powerful beams of the north-
facing lights.

The night of 17 April was clear, and no migrants were seen, although a
few warblers were netted after dawn. On 18th, cloud descended to ground level
for a single hour, then lifted and partially cleared from 02:00. Only a few
warblers were netted at night, but 24 Swallows were caught from a flock of
about 200 which circled the lights for an hour. A further 28 migrants caught

OEE wEeor—X+~=—SEhdhEOnrnrnrnrrrrnr ee

Spring passage across Tsavo 27

at dawn were evidence of a small fall. Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats and
Marsh Warblers were again the main species on 17-18 April. Two more River
Warblers were caught, and one was singing after dawn on i8th. Further visits
to the Lodge on 23-24 April and (by H.A. & P.L. Britton) on 28-29 April met
with clear nights and very few remaining warblers.

TABLE i

Percentage composition of the catch at Ngulia, 16-18 April 1980,
compared with percentage contributions of the same species
to the overall 1969-79 autumn catch

16-18 Oct-Feb
Apr 1980 1969-79
Whitethroat Sylvia communis 30.2 29.5
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 23.0 0.1
Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris 10.7 a353
Eurasian Swallow Hirundo rustica 8.1 0.2
Red-backed Shrike Lanius colilurio 5.7 es
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 4.8 : Pr
River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis 4.0 eS
Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 3.8 <0.05
Sprosser Luscinia luscinia 3.6 19.1
Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Pr. i |
Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida 0.7 0.4
Garden Warbler Sylvia borin os has
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 0.5 0.8
Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum Tio2 0.5
Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria 2 Ar: 0.9
Red-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus oy 1.1
Irania Irania gutturalis 0.2 aot
Total catch (birds) 420 44 868

The complete species composition cf the catch of 16-18 April is shown by per-
centage in Table 1 above. Figures are compared with percentages contributed by
the same species to the overall 1969-79 autumn catch. The prominent contrib-—
utions of the Sedge Warbler and, to a lesser extent, the Great Reed Warbler,
were striking features of the April movement. It was surprising, since a
number were present in the Park at this time, that not a single Lesser Grey
Shrike was caught or seen at night. The Sprosser, the Barred Warbler, the Red-
tailed Shrike and the Irania were relatively scarce in mid April, whilst two
regular autumn species, the Rufous Bush Chat Cercotrichas galactotes and the
Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis, were not recorded. Of the migrants
caught on 16 April, 205 were weighed and examined for visible fat. A few
grounded birds were very fat: a Sprosser at 36.5g, a Willow Warbler at 12.6g,
a Garden Warbler at 24.7g, a Sedge Warbler at 16.5g, and Whitethroats at
19.6, 19.3 and 17.6g. However, 85 per cent of those examined carried
Surprisingly low reserves, being rated 1-2 (see Pearson & Backhurst 1976a).

DISCUSSION
The species encountered at Ngulia in mid April 1980 were similar to those in
most earlier small catches at the same time of year, the only exception being

28 Spring passage across Tsavo

the storm-grounded, Whitethroat-dominated fall of 1977. It seems clear that,
although normally little in evidence, a very heavy April movement does occur
across Tsavo. This involves the four principal autumn migrants, the White-
throat, the Sprosser, the Marsh Warbler and the River Warbler. It also
prominently features other species, notably the Sedge Warbler, the Great
Reed Warbler, the Willow Warbler and the Red-backed Shrike, which use the
eastern Kenyan route to a much greater extent in spring than in autum

(Jackson 1938, Pearson & Backhurst 1976b, unpublished records of G.C. Backhurst,

P.L. Britton, P.C. Lack, and the author). It should be noted that prior to
1980, the return of the River Warbler via the Tsavo region was mainly a
matter of conjecture.

Autumn passerine migration has not been recorded in strength more than about

30km east of Voi, and certainly does not reach the coastal strip (P.L. Britton

pers. comm.). The April falls at Ngulia, however, may be representative of a

broader front eastern Kenyan return movement. Species such as the Marsh Warbler,

Sprosser, Sedge Warbler, and even Whitethroat, appear regularly on the caost
during April, together with Red-backed Shrikes, and are occasionally locally
numerous (unpublished observations of P.L. & H.A. Britton and the author).
Red-backed Shrikes are normally common in the bushland between Maungu and
Mariakani, and the author noted Marsh Warblers to be widespread also in this
area after rain in mid April 1980.

The relatively low weights of the majority of Ngulia birds in April 1980 were

perhaps surprising, particularly in view of the many high weights recorded
after the storm of April 1977. In autumn, fatter birds have. generally been
more associated with heavy rain than with typical misty conditions, suggesting
that they are normally less prone to be grounded (Backhurst & Pearson 1977) ;
presumably the same applies in spring. In any case, it is clear from their
limited reserves that many birds overflying Tsavo in spring must make a land-
fall within a few hundred kilometres, presumably in the Ethiopian highlands.

Several of the species characteristic of Ngulia autumn falls have been
absent or almost so in mid April, and presumably migrate northwards a week or
two earlier, as perhaps do the majority of the Sprossers. A more complete
understanding of spring movements across Tsavo must await such time as visits
to the Lodge coincide with appropriate conditions in late March - early April,
and again at the end of April and beginning of May

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like to thank Mr Bill Woodley, Warden of Tsavo National Park,
for permission to net and ring at the Lodge, and Mr & Mrs Roger Chambers for
providing every assistance.

REFERENCES
BACKHURST, G.C. & PEARSON, D.J. 1977. Southward migration at Ngulia, Tsavo,
Kenya, 1976/77. Scopus 1: 12-17.

BRITTON, P.L. & BRITTON, H.A. 1977. An April fall of Palaearctic migrants
at Nogulia. ‘Scopus’ T= 109-110:

PEARSON, D.J. & BACKHURST, G.C. 1976a. The southward migration of Palaearctic
birds over Ngulia, Kenya. Ibis 118: 78-105.

1976b. Palaearctic passerine migration at
Kariobangi, Nairobi. FANHS Bulletin 1976: 23-28.

D.J. Pearson, Department of Biochemistry, Box 30197, Nairobi.

(Received 14 May 1980)

Ecology of Crowned Cranes 20

ASPECTS OF THE ECOLOGY OF
CROWNED CRANES BALEARICA REGULORUM'
IN UGANDA

D.E. Pomeroy

Crowned Cranes are widespread in the wetter areas of Uganda, and are partic-
ularly common in the southeast (Paget-Wilkes 1938) where swamps are frequent.
They are sparse in areas with less than 700-800mm of rain per year. The
species is found in open grasslands as well as near swamps but is generally
less common in the formerly forested areas of south central Uganda.

The vociferous displays of Balearica cranes have long attracted the attention
of naturalists (e.g. Serle 1939) but only one general account of either
species exists, and it refers mainly to B.r.regulorum in southern Africa
(Walkinshaw 1964).

Between 1969 and 1973 I kept records of Crowned Cranes seen in various
parts of Uganda, through which I travelled widely. More detailed observations
were made on two flocks of cranes near Kampala. One of these frequented the
municipal rubbish tips at Kololo and Natete (Pomeroy 1975), whilst the other
was found on one or both of two large farms some 15-20km north of Kampala.
These were the University Farm of about 100ha at Kabanyolo, and the Cotton
Research Station at Namulonge. Each had areas of cultivation interspersed
with extensive pastures.

FEEDING AND OTHER BEHAVIOUR
Crowned Cranes have a varied diet. Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1957) mention
lizards, grasshoppers and seeds, also stating that cranes can cause consider-
able damage to young crops. Captive birds can thrive on a diet which is a
almost exclusively vegetarian (F.C. Astles, in litt.) but prefer insects and
earthworms (Clarke & Amadei 1969, pers. obs.). When walking through grass,
wild Crowned Cranes sometimes 'stamp' their feet, presumably to disturb
insects, and their accompanying rapid pecking behaviour is suggestive of
taking insect prey. G.R. Cunningham-van Someren (pers. comm.) has recorded
Crowned Cranes feeding on cutworms (noctuid moths) and armyworm (Spodoptera
spp.) in Kenya, and crickets (gryllids) in the Sudan. On several occasions
birds were observed walking amongst feeding cattle, much as Cattle Egrets
Bubulcus ibis do when taking disturbed grasshoppers, but did not approach
so closely. Freshly-ploughed fields attract Crowned Cranes in preference to
grassland, and short grass is preferred to long, but they will feed in long
grasses around swamps and elsewhere, when the plants are seeding. Seed-heads
of sedges Cyperus spp. and of grasses such as Cynodon spp. are preferred
plant foods, the birds pecking them repeatedly. At the Kampala rubbish tips
feeding was most active on freshly-tipped refuse, which, although mainly
vegetable in origin, attracted many insects. The Crowned Cranes pecked
actively at old maize cobs, attempting to knock off edible fragments with
their bills; the feet were not used. In captivity, the birds preferred to
knock seeds off millet and maize cobs, rather than take loose ones.

Damage to crops can be extensive, especially to annual crops in large
fields. At the University Farm, soya beans and groundnuts were most affected,
and losses of up to 50 per cent were reported by the Manager. Damage was
worst towards the end of the dry season when, presumably, insects were harder
to find. Bean flowers and pods were sometimes attacked as well. Damage to

'I prefer to recognize two species of Balearica: regulorum and pavonina.

Scopus 4: 29-35, June 1980

30 Ecology of Crowned Cranes

plants can also be indirect, as in the case of cotton seedlings; plants were
uprooted, apparently in a search for insects (R. Passmore, pers. comm.) and,
like other young crops, cotton can be damaged badly by the trampling of dis-
playing cranes.

Crowned Cranes roost in trees, showing a distinct preference for open trees
such as mvule Chlorophora excelsa whose high, bare lower branches command a
good view, or the tops of leafless trees. They leave the roost at dawn, or up
to an hour later on wet or misty mornings and do not return until just before
nightfall. During the day, they feed for between half and three-quarters of
the time, being least active around mid-day. In hot weather birds in the
sun pant visibly, but where possible they move into shade. Even within large
flocks, birds can often be seen moving in pairs, suggesting that pairing
lasts for two or more breeding seasons. Displays within the flock are not
infrequent, and usually involve mutual displays by pairs of birds. Mutual
preening also occurs, especially of the neck. Displays amongst feeding birds
may occur at any time, some being in response to minor disturbances. They
involve much calling and 'dancing', as well as head-bobbing and other com-
ponents performed standing or running. Displays by one pair in a flock often
stimulate others to start. Most displays involve only a few birds, but as
evening approaches the frequency increases as does the number of birds taking
part, until the whole flock becomes involved. The displays rarely last more
than a few minutes, and are interspersed with feeding.

BREEDING
In Uganda Crowned Cranes are most commonly seen in pairs (Fig.1) but family
groups with one or two young are not infrequent. Groups of more than 20 are
rare in Uganda, although there were two resident populations in the Kampala
area during the study period. One, whose numbers were usually between 25 and

70

60

observations

20-7

of

10

No.

cone eee ee

Se
Soon

CO OE Te Pe ee) EE SO ee et tet
BODO JOO

1 2 aera 5-10 11-20 21-50 51-100 101-150
Group-size

7150

Fig.1 Sizes of 118 Crowned Crane groups in Uganda, outside the Kampala area

Ecology of Crowned Cranes 31

45, often in a single flock, frequented the municipal rubbish-tips at Natete
and Kololo. A total of up to nearly 200 birds was almost always present on
the large farms at Kabanyolo and Namulonge, usually divided into several
groups, but occasionally they all came together in a single flock.

200 =

”
®o
=
i)
_
O

‘5 100
6
z=
=
oO
®
>

0

200
-
=

= $0
Sg
=
is)
em

Months

Fig.2 Mean numbers of Cranes in the Kabanyolo/Namulonge flock in 1970-72 (a),
and long-term average rainfall in Kampala (b)

The sizes of the two populations varied seasonally, but not greatly. The
Kabanyolo/Namulonge population was largest in the later dry season and early
wet season (Fig.2). It tended to be smaller from November to February and
from May to July, the main egg-laying periods (Fig.3c). During the breeding
season, there was an increase in the number of birds seen in pairs, anda
Similar but smaller increase in the number of single birds (Fig.3a,b). The
latter presumably represented the partners of incubating birds. Despite the
clear seasonality in breeding, there are records of nesting for every month;
the raw data from which Fig.3c was constructed show that, of 59 records, the
monthly average was 6.1 for the nesting months of November to February and
May to July, as compared to an average of 3.2 per month for the intervening
periods.

32 Ecology of Crowned Cranes

a. Nos. of single birds observed

b. Nos. of pairs observed

jo)

c. Estimated month of laying

Oo)

Oo

Nw

—s

Months

Fig.3 Seasonality in the breeding of Cranes in Uganda. In each case the data

have been grouped into 3-point running means, e.g. the figure plotted for

November is the average of the raw data for October, November and December.

Records used for graphs a) and b) refer to the Kampala area only; the data

for c) are from the whole of Uganda. 3c contains data from family parties

with young whose ages could be estimated faifly accurately, as well as from
EANHS Nest Record Cards

Most nests of Crowned Cranes are in grass swamps. They are bulky and are
placed in the centre of an area, up to 20m in diameter, where the vegetation
has been trampled flat. This probably prevents surprise attacks by predators.

Data from the Nest Record Scheme of the East Africa Natural History Society
show that the clutch-size varies with altitude. The mean for 12 nests in the

Ecology of Crowned Cranes 33

medium-altitude areas of southern Uganda, generally below 1500m, was 2.17 eggs
per nest. For highland areas above 1500m (Kigezi in Uganda and the Kenya high-
lands) the average for 29 nests was 2.72. If we assume that the sample in each
region can be considered statistically random, which it probably can, then the
difference between them is clearly significant (t,,= 3.26, P<0.01). Many nest
record cards gave figures for numbers of chicks, and it was often possible to
estimate their approximate ages. In addition, I made observations on young of
various ages in family groups. These data are summarized in Fig.4. The numbers
of young surviving were, on average, very Similar in both regions, so the

mean numbers

0 1 3 6 fe) 11
eggs young, age in months

Fig.4 Breeding success of Cranes in Uganda and Kenya. The figures alongside
each point are the number of observations. For details see text
oo ——.. OO highland areas
_ = 35> ae @® medium altitudes
Acccecceccessesees\ medium altitude records - estimates based upon the
author's observations

; data from EANHS Nest Record Scheme

losses from highland nests were evidently greater. Those nests whose young
survived beyond three months, produced an average of about 1.3 young per
pair. Overall breeding success will have been less, but the proportion of
unsuccessful nesting attempts is not known.

DISCUSSION

Cranes are omnivores, preferring invertebrates and, to a lesser extent,
graniform seeds. They feed mainly in grasslands but require swamps for breed-
ing and, where possible, large trees for roosting (although they will roost
in shallow water (Walkinshaw 1964) or on smaller trees is necessary). Exten-
Sive areas of Uganda provide these conditions. Within this region Crowned
Cranes are largely resident; there is no evidence of any but local movements.

The occurrence of some breeding records for all months of the year is best

34 Ecology of Crowned Cranes

explained in terms of a fluctuating climate. The most favourable time varies,
as does rainfall, from year to year. Nevertheless, there are seasonal peaks,
just as there are for rainfall when data for many years are averaged. The data
from the Nest Record Cards show only one peak for Uganda, in December-—Jamuary
(Brown & Britton 1980), but the more extensive data included in the present
account reveal two peaks, both in drier seasons. These are times when the
nest is less likély to be flooded than during the rains; further, grass seeds
and large grasshoppers are most abundant after the rains. The observations

of Sessions (1966 and on Nest Record Cards) at Mau Narok, Kenya show that a
pair can nest again after losing eggs or young; he recorded one pair which
nested 12 times between 1960 and 1969.

The overall average clutch-size in Kenya and Uganda was 2.56 (41 nests),
closely similar to the 2.44 (34 nests) reported by Walkinshaw (1964) for
southern Africa. In Uganda, local informants told me that it was common for
Crowned Cranes to nest without producing young: often they were disturbed.
Those pairs which were successful in producing young had an average of about
1.3 per nest at hatching. Sessions' pair hatched 20 chicks from about 36 eggs,
and averaged 12 young to independence, an average of 1.00 per nesting pair
(data from Nest Record Cards). Young Crowned Cranes can be distinguished from
sub-adults and adults up to an age of about one year (Pomeroy, in press).
Young birds form a small proportion of the total seen (unpublished observat-
ions of L.H. Brown and the author) and this suggests that the overall breeding
success is low. It may well fall within the range of 0.2 to 0.8 reported by
Miller (1973) for the Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis of North America. Further
evidence of the low overall production of young by Crowned Cranes is that
even during the peak breeding times, some birds remain in flocks. However,
some of these are likely to be sub-adults, which resemble adults closely in
the field.

The finding of a relationship between clutch-size and altitude is interest-
ing, despite its significance being obscure. Klomp's (1970) review of clutch-
sizes mentions only four species in which such a difference had been reported,
all being from northern latitudes; in three of them clutch-size decreased
with altitude, whilst in the fourth it was related to laying-date. In the
grassland Vanellus plovers of East Africa, the two which nest in higher or
wetter areas (V. melanopterus and V. lugubris) lay 3-4 eggs, whereas V. tectus
and V. coronatus, nesting in lower or drier areas, lay 2-3 eggs. This led
Brown (in litt.) to suggest a correlation between clutch-size and rainfall.
But the Crowned Crane data discussed in this paper relate to areas with
similar, fairly high rainfall, at both medium and higher altitudes.

Outside Uganda, especially in drier areas, Balearica species breed in the
wet season (Bannerman 1953, Benson, Brooke, Dowsett & Irwin 1973, Brown &
Britton 1980). In these regions, flocks are characteristic of the non-breeding
season. They are also a feature of the Kenya highlands; Jackson (1938) once
saw about a thousand near Elmenteita. Flocks also occur in South Africa
(Prozesky 1970), whilst in West Africa the largest published record of a
flock of B. pavonina seems to be one of 400-500 in Tchad (Salvan 1967),
although Brown, Urban & Newman (in press) suggest that much larger flocks
can occur. In the Kampala area, although the flocks diminished during the
breeding season, they never decreased to less than half their maximum size
(see Fig.2).

Some species of cranes are seriously threatened with extinction, but
B. regulorum is widespread and common in many areas. Although originally a
species of open grasslands with swamps, it now frequents several man-made
habitats as well, and has extended its diet to include various annual crops.
Burke (1965) estimated the population of Crowned Cranes in Kisii District,
western Kenya, to be 1.14 per square mile (about 2.9km?). Large areas of

————

-

Ecology of Crowned Cranes 35

southern Uganda are likely to have at least one Crowned Crane per square kilo-
metre, giving a total population of tens of thousands; moreover, this may well
be increasing. Further, despite their potential as pests, most farmers do not
seem to mind them: if they did, they could easily find and destroy the nests.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Several Makerere University students provided excellent assistance in the
field. They included Francis Kizza, Benny Wanjala and Tony Vinchenzo. Hazel
Britton kindly made the EANHS Nest Record Cards available. P.L. Britton,
Leslie Brown, G.R. Cunningham-van Someren and Bob Rickelfs commented on a
draft of the paper. To all of them, as well as several correspondents, I offer
grateful thanks.

REFERENCES
BANNERMAN, D.A. 1953. The birds of West and Equatorial Africa. Vol. 1
Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd.

BENSON, C.W., BROOKE, R.K., DOWSETT, R.J. & IRWIN, M.P.S. 1973. The birds of
Zambia. London: Collins.

BROWN, L.H. & BRITTON, P.L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds.
Nairobi: EANHS.

BROWN, L.H., URBAN, E.K. & NEWMAN, K.B. (in press). Birds of Africa. Vol. I
London & New York: Academic Press.

BURKE, V.E.M. 1965. A count of Crowned Cranes (Balearica regulorum (Bennett) )
in the Kisii district, Kenya. Journal of the East Africa Natural History
Society and National Museum 25: 162-163.

CLARKE, H.W. & AMADEI, L. 1969. Breeding in captivity of the Black-necked
Crowned Crane. Avicultural Magazine 75: 37-39.

KLOMP, H. 1970. The determination of clutch-size in birds. A review. Ardea
58: 1-124.

MILLER, R.S. 1973. The brood size of cranes. Wilson Bulletin 85: 436-441.

PAGET-WILKES, A.H. 1938. Notes on the breeding of some species in north-
eastern Uganda. Ibis ser. 14 (II): 118-129.

POMEROY, D.E. 1975. Birds as scavengers of refuse in Uganda. Ibis 117: 69-81.

(in press). Growth and descriptions of the Grey Crowned Crane
Balearica regulorum gibbericeps in Uganda. Bulletin of the British Ornith-
ologists' Club.

PROZESKY, O.P.M. 1970. A field guide to the birds of southern Africa.
London: Collins.

SALVAN, J. 1967. Contribution a 1'étude des oiseaux du Tchad. L'oiseau 38:
53-85.

SERLE, W. 1939. Field observations on some northern Nigerian birds. Pt. 1.
Ibis Ser. 14 (III): 654-699.

SESSIONS, P.H.B. 1966. Notes on the birds of Lengetia Farm, Mau Narok. Journal
of the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum 26: 18-48.

WALKINSHAW, L.H. 1964. The African Crowned Cranes. Wilson Bulletin 76: 355-377.

D.E. Pomeroy, Department of Zoology, Kenyatta University College, Box 43844,

Nai Es
airobi (Received 19 February 1980)

36 Tanzanian forest birds

eS

SOME RANGE EXTENSIONS AND OTHER NOTABLE RECORDS OF FOREST
BIRDS FROM EASTERN AND NORTHEASTERN TANZANIA
S.N:;= S€uazt & D.A. Turner

Since 1977 there has been increased interest in documenting the range and
status of many forest birds in eastern and northeastern Tanzania, particularly
the little known endemic and near endemic species (see Appendix i).

Moreau (1966) referred to the richness of the montane forest areas of eastern
and northeastern Tanzania in his discussion of the Tanganyika-Nyasaland montane
block, though at this time referring to it as an area of great complexity.
Dowsett (1971), however, preferred to regard the southern Malawi block as
separate from the Nyika and southern Tanzania montane areas, while at the same
time separating the Usambaras, which although rich in unique species, he felt
were more closely related to the Kenya montane regions. Indeed, Dowsett was of
the opinion that the Usambaras have no connexion with the Tanganyika-Nyasaland
group, whose northern limit is best taken as the Ulugurus, and their impover-
ished neighbours the Ukagurus and Ngurus.

It is of interest to note that the forests of the two old mountain blocks,
Usambara and Uluguru, contain an avifauna far richer in species and endemics
than either their immediate neighbours (Uzungwa, Ukaguru, Nguru and Pare), or
the forest on the volcanic mountains to the north (Meru, Kilimanjaro, Chyulus,
Aberdares and Mt Kenya). The situation is paralleled in butterflies and
orchids (Moreau 1966). Despite the objections raised by Dowsett, a large pro-
portion of montane species range throughout Moreau's entire Tanganyika-Nyasa-
land group, from the Usambaras to southern Malawi, showing, we feel, at least
some degree of similarity and association.

Certainly the Tanganyika-Nyasa montane group, as defined by Moreau, contains
at least 20 endemic or near endemic species, which include some of Africa's
rarest and least known birds. An unusually high proportion (40 per cent) of
the endemics are forest floor/undergrowth thrushes. The Usambaras alone
support no less than ten forest floor thrushes, a situation unparalleled else-
where in Africa, with nine occurring together at Amani (900m), seven at
Mazumbai (1500m) and five at Shume (2100m) (see Appendix 2).

Map 1 shows the highland forest areas of eastern and northeastern Tanzania
dealt with in this paper. Some of the more noteworthy species are treated

below.
oe

Ubiri
Mandege NGURUS

UKAGURUS

Eh siete

Mufindi
Map 1. Forest areas in eastern and northeastern Tanzania

Scopus 4: 36-41, June 1980

Tanzanian forest birds 37

WEST
USAMBARAS

EAST
USAMBARAS

Ambangulw

Korogwe ®
* Muheza

30 40 50km

Map 2. The Usambaras

Bostrychia olivacea Green Ibis

Up to five at one time recorded in the Amani Forest, East Usambaras on 27 and
28 July 1978. Another was seen at the same locality on 26 November i979. These
are the first records of this species from the Usambaras since 1932 (Sclater &
Moreau 1933).

Circaetus fasciolatus Southern Banded Snake Eagle
One seen at Mazumbai on 2 June 1977. Not previously recorded from the West
Usambaras. At 1450m this is probably the upper altitudinal limit.

Buteo tachardus Mountain Buzzard

Single birds recorded from Mazumbai in June 1977 and March 1980, from the
Ngurus and Ukagurus in August-September 1978, and from Mufindi in the Uzungwa
Mts during November-December 1979 (S. Tyler, pers. comm.). It is believed that
this species occurs in suitable habitat throughout Tanzania (Turner, in prep.).

Hieraaetus dubius Ayres' Hawk Eagle
At least two pairs at Mazumbai in June 1977, while an immature was seen there
on 13 July 1979. First records from the West Usambaras.

Poicephalus robustus Brown-necked Parrot

Small flocks were seen flying over forest canopy at 925m in the Ngurus in
September 1978. Not previously recorded from these mountains, which probably
represent the northernmost limit of the species.

Tauraco fischeri Fischer's Turaco

Recorded on occasion at Mazumbai since 5 June 1977 where, at 1500m it is
sympatric with T. hartlaubi. Nearby, at Ambangulu (1200m) it is abundant.
These are the first records from the West Usambaras since those from Bumbuli
documented by Friedmann (1928).

Bubo poensis vosserleri Nduk Eagle Owl
Previously only recorded from the East Usambaras, though White (1974) notes

38 Tanzanian forest birds

its probable occurrence at Ambangulu. However, J. Tanner (pers. comm.) has
recorded it on several occasions at Mazumbai, last on 14 March 1978. Subse-
quently one was netted at Ambangulu on 12 October 1979. The range of this
species can now be extended to the eastern side of the West Usambaras.

Schoutedenapus myoptilus Scarce Swift
Small flocks were observed at dusk at Mazumbai during March 1980. These are
the first Usambara records.

Neafrapus boehmi Bodhm's Spinetail

Recorded twice during early September 1977 at Amani, and at Mazumbai on 10
August 1978, subsequently on a number of occasions there. These are the first
records from the Usambaras.

Telacanthura ussheri Mottle-throated Spinetail
Although fairly common and frequently seen at both Mazumbai and Ambangulu,
this species had not, in fact, been recorded previously from the West Usambaras.

Ispidina picta Pygmy Kingfisher
One at Amani on 30 July 1977 is the sole Usambara record.

Campethera abingoni Golden-tailed Woodpecker
Singles at Mazumbai on 31 May, 1 June 1977 and 13 July 1979, and at Ambangulu
on 15 August 1979, extending its range to the West Usambaras.

Campethera cailliautii Little Spotted Woodpecker
One at Amani in September 1977 is the sole record from the Usambaras.

Smithornis capensis African Broadbill
Recorded at Mazumbai on 5 June 1977 and December 1979, and in the Shume -
Magamba Forest on 23 July 1979. First records from the West Usambaras.

Pitta angolensis African Pitta

One attracted to lights at Bumbuli Hospital in May 1979 (M. & S. Thompson,
pers. comm.). This record accords well with the May records from Amani
(Sclater & Moreau 1933) and is the first record from the West Usambaras.

Oriolus chlorocephalus Green-headed Oriole

Found to be fairly common at Ambangulu in August 1979, this representing the
first record from the West Usambaras. Also common at 1200m in the Ngurus
in September 1978 and at 1000m in the Ulugurus in January 1980.

Oriolus larvatus Black-headed Oriole
A pair seen frequently at Amani during August and September 1977 was the first
record from the East Usambaras.

Dryocichloides anomalus Olive-flanked Ground Robin
One at Mandege, Ukagurus, on 28 August 1978 was the first record for the area.

Dryocichloides lowei Iringa Ground Robin
Fairly common at Mufindi, Uzungwa Mts, during August and September 1979.

Dryocichloides montanus Usambara Ground Robin

Common in the Shume-Magamba Forest, West Usambaras; also recorded three times
at Mazumbai since 27 May 1977, down to 1600m. This represents an eastward
extension of range, as Hall & Moreau (1962) describe it as restricted to the
western edge of the West Usambaras.

Modulatrix orostruthus Dappled Mountain Robin

A total of seven have now been netted at Amani, East Usambaras, since July

1977, and despite extensive coverage of the Usambaras it has not been recorded
elsewhere. With a total of 18 records, half of which are of collected specimens,
this must surely be one of Africa's rarest birds.

oe ee

os =

Tanzanian forest birds 39

Modulatrix stictigula Spot-throat

In the Usambaras this species occurs from 900 to 2300m, being common at Maz-
umbai but much less so in all other localities. It occurs alongside M. oro-
struthus at Amani (900-1200m).

Sheppardia gunningi East Coast Akalat
Fairly common in the Pugu Hills Forest near Dar es Salaam in September 1978;
this is probably an important locality for the species.

Sheppardia sharpei Sharpe's Akalat
Although not previously recorded from the West Usambaras, this species is, in
fact, common throughout. both East and West Usambaras, from 900-1600m.

Turdus gurneyi Ornage Ground Thrush
Occurs in small numbers throughout the Usambaras from 900-1800m, being
recorded from the Shume-Magamba, Mazumbai, Ambangulu and Amani forests.

Apalis moreaui lLong-billed Apalis

This very rare species has been recorded on very few occasions at Amani since
June 1977 and, despite extensive coverage throughout the Usambaras, has not
been found elsewhere.

Bathmocercus winifredae Mrs Moreau's Warbler

Common in the forest at Mandege (Ukagurus) in August 1978. Previously known
only from the nearby Ulugurus where, due to serious habitat destruction, the
population may now be considerably reduced.

Macrosphenus kretschmeri Kretschmer's Longbill
Resident in small numbers at Mazumbai, West Usambaras, where it has always
been found in company with Phyllastrephus greenbuls.

Bias musicus Black and White Flycatcher
The only records from the West Usambaras were those from Mazumbai during
May and June 1977 and March 1980.

Cinnyricinclus sharpii Sharpe's Starling
Two birds at Mazumbai on 25 March 1979 constitute the only Usambara record
Since 1931 (Sclater & Moreau 1931).

Anthreptes neglectus Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird

Common at Amani during July and August 1977 and in the Pugu Hills Forest
near Dar es Salaam in September 1978. Although previously unknown from the
West Usambaras, it was fairly common at Ambangulu at 1200m in August 1979.

Anthreptes pallidigaster Amani Sunbird
Appears to occur only intermittently at Amani, where it is attracted by
flowering trees.

Anthreptes rubritorques Banded Green Sunbird
In the Usambaras this species is common at Amani at 900m, and at Ambangulu
at 1200m, but it is much less common at Mazumbai (1500m).

Nectarinia moreaui Moreau's Sunbird
Abundant at Mandege, Ukagurus, in August 1978 and recorded once from Ubiri at
1200m in the Ngurus on 5 Sptember 1978.

Ploceus olivaceiceps nicolli Usambara Weaver

Possibly a maximum of only ten pairs at Mazumbai (1500m). All searches for
the species at Shume-Magamba and at Amani have failed, suggesting, perhaps, a
decline in the Usambaras.

Mandingoa nitidula Green-backed Twinspot
A pair seen on 11 and 13 March 1978 at Mazumbai (1500m) by L. Tanner (pers.
comm.) is the first record from the West Usambaras.

40 Tanzanian forest birds

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank C.W. Benson for details of southern Malawi forest
birds, and Tessa van der Willigen, H.R.C. Holland, Janet Simkin, Mr & Mrs
J. Tanner and Drs M.& S. Thompson for other additional records. We also thank
Mr & Mrs Tanner for their very generous hospitality at Mazumbai.

REFERENCES
DOWSETT, R.J. 1971. The avifauna of the Makutu Plateau, Zambia. Revue Zoolog-
ique et Botanique Africaine. 84: 312-333.

FRIEDMANN, H. 1928. A collection of birds from the Uluguru and Usambara
Mountains, Tanganyika Territory. Ibis 12th series 4: 74-99.

HALL, B.P. & MOREAU, R.E. 1962. A study of the rare birds of Africa. Bulletin
of the British Museum (Natural History) Zoology 8: 313-378.

SCLATER, W.L. & MOREAU, R.E. 1932-23. Taxonomic and field notes on some birds
of north-eastern Tanganyika Territory. Ibis i3th series 2: 487-522, 656-683;
3: 1-33, 187-219, 399-440.

TURNER, D.A. in prep. The Mountain Buzzard Buteo tachardus in Tanzania.

WHITE, G.B. 1974. Rarest Eagle Owl in trouble. Oryx 12: 484-486.
APPENDIX 1

Endemic and near-endemic birds of the Tanganyika-Nyasaland montane forests

[as defined by Moreau 1966]

‘ Taital Usam-| Nguru] Ulugu|Uzung] S.Tanz] Nyika} S.Malawi

Species Hills| bara | Ukag h'lds forests
Bubo poensis vosseleri x
Orilolus chlorocephalus x x x x
Andropadus milanjensis x x % x x x x x
Alethe choloensis x
Alethe fuelleborni x x x x x x
Dryocichloides anomalus x x x x x x
Dryocichloides lowei x x
Dryocichloides montanus x
Modulatrix orostruthus x
Modulatrix stictigula x x x x x
Sheppardia sharpei x x x x x x
Apalis moreaui x
Bathmocercus winifredae x x
Orthotomus metopias x x x x x
Laniarius fuelleborni x x x x x x
Malaconotus alius* x
Anthreptes rubritorques x x x
Nectarinia loveridgei x
Nectarinia moreaui x
Ploceus olivaceiceps nicolli x x
Total number of species 1/20. 13/20 11/20..13/20.. 8/20: 8/20, 5/20, .4/29

*No records since 1962

Headings: Taita Hills, SE Kenya/Usambaras/Ngurus and Ukagurus/Ulugurus/
Uzungwe Mts/S Tanzanian Highlands/Nyika Plateau, Zambia-Malawi/

——

-

Tanzanian forest birds 41

APPENDIX 2

Forest floor/undergrowth thrushes occurring in

the Usambara Mts, northeastern Tanzania

Altitude West Usambaras East Usambaras
Species range Shume Mazumbai Amani
(m) 2100m 1500 m 900 m
Cossypha natalensis 200-900 x
Neocossyphus rufus 200-900 x
Alethe fuelleborni 600-2300 x x x
Modulatrix orostruthus 900-1200 x
Sheppardia sharpei 900-1600 x x
Turdus gurneyi 900-1800 x x
Modulatrix stictigula 900-2300 x x x
Pogonocichla stellata 900-2300 x x x
Turdus abyssinicus 900-2300 x x x
Dryocichloides montanus 1600-2300 * *
Total number of species 5/10 7/10 9/10

S.N. Stuart, c/o Box 44, Soni, Tanzania and D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi

(Received 1 May 1980)

42 Short communications

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

THE MADAGASCAR SQUACCO HERON ARDEOLA IDAE IN EAST AFRICA, WITH NOTES ON ITS
FIELD IDENTIFICATION The Madagascar Squacco Heron Ardeola idae breeds in
Madagascar from October to March, afterwards dispersing to the mainland of
Africa to spend the non-breeding season in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda
and Zaire, with only a few remaining in Madagascar all year round. Vagrants
have been recorded from Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

In breeding dress (rarely seen in Africa), the bird is unmistakable in its
snow white plumage with sharply contrasting azure blue bill and red feet.
Hwever, in its non-breeding and immature plumage, which is generally seen in
Africa, it can easily be confused with the Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides.
The following field characters should help to separate the two species in the
field.

a) The streaking on the breast of idae is always heavier, darker and
broader than in immature and juvenile ralloides, while the mantle is
much darker (almost a dark chocolate brown) than that of ralloides.

In addition, idae does not show in any plumage the pale biscuit colour-
ing so often present in ralloides.

b) The bill of idae is always noticeably heavier and slightly larger than
in ralloides, though colouration during the non-breeding season is much
the same in both species.

c) In build, idae always appears stockier and heavier than ralloides,
particularly around the head and neck.

d) In Africa idae occasionally shows either pink or red feet (particularly
during April, September and October) which ralloides does not have out-
side its breeding colonies.

e) Whereas ralloides is often found in the shelter of reeds and marshes,
idae is frequently found in open ground and is less prone to seek
shelter.

Judging from observations and specimens collected in Eas Africa, it is clear
that the Madagascar Squacco Heron is a regular visitor from May to October
with occasional records during April and November (Britton in press), while
Prigogine (1976) also reported it as occurring in quite large numbers in
Rwanda and Zaire from May to September, with some remaining throughout the
year. Although there are no records of it remaining in East Africa during its
normal breeding season in Madagascar, there are records from Pemba Island of
a male in full breeding dress on 12 October 1942 (Pakenham 1979), and one
from Mafia Island on 22 February 1915 in almost complete breeding dress. The
Pemba bird would appear to have attained early breeding dress en route to
Madagascar, while the Mafia record may well have been an early storm-driven
arrival from Madagascar. At present there are no indications that it breeds
or has bred anywhere other than in Madagascar.

In recent years, records from Kenya and Tanzania indicate fairly widespread
distribution from May to September, with birds recorded from the Selous Game
Reserve, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and from
Lake Jipe, Tsavo National Park, Amboseli National Park, Nairobi and the Mwea
Rice Scheme near Embu in Kenya. During the return movement to Madagascar birds
are regularly recorded along the Kenya and Tanzania coasts from August to
October, while the last records are invariably from Mafia Island.

There are few positive records from Uganda, the only recent one being from
Rwenzori National Park (M.P.L. Fogden, in litt.). It has undoubtedly been
confused there with ralloides, which is common and widespread throughout the

Scopus 4: 42-43, June i980

=

Short communications 43

year, but in view of the data given by Prigogine from Rwanda and Zaire, it
quite obviously occurs regularly.

REFERENCES
BRITTON, P.L. (ed.) in press. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS.

PAKENHAM, R.H.W. 1979. The birds of Zanzibar and Pemba. London: BOU.

PRIGOGINE, A. 1976. Occurrence of the Madagascar Squacco Heron Ardeola idae
in Central Africa. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 96: 96-97.

D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi Received 1 May 1980

SYMPATRY OF BLACKSMITH AND SPUR-WINGED PLOVERS VANELLUS ARMATUS AND SPINOSUS
AT AMBOSELI The ranges of the Blacksmith and Spur-winged Plovers Vanellus
armatus and V. spinosus are well known to be broadly allopatric, with a zone
of apparent sympatry in parts of northern Tanzania and southern Kenya. Most
of this apparent sympatry is undoubtedly due to non-breeding Spur-winged
Plovers wandering to the south of their usual breeding grounds. In cases of
apparent sympatry of closely related congeners it is interesting to know
whether the species concerned are ecologically segregated by each occupying
a rather narrower niche in the zone of sympatry than elsewhere, and also
whether the sympatry applies to breeding birds.

With regard to ecological segregation I have failed to detect any consistent
differences in feeding station or feeding method in places where these two
plovers carn sometimes be observed together (e.g., on the Wembere in Tanzania,
and in Kenya at Amboseli, Lakes Naivasha and Nakuru, and the tempory lake
present in 1977-78 near Ngong Rifle Range).

Published data and nest record cards (P.L. Britton, pers. comm.) provide
no evidence for breeding sympatry, so it seems worth recording that there is
one locality where, at least occasionally, the Spur-winged Plover nests along-
side the much more numerous Blacksmith. At Amboseli between 3 and 5 January
1978 I watched a pair of Spur-winged Plovers tending a clutch of two eggs
close beside the track which runs along the western shore of the lake-like
extension of the swamp near the airstrip. Blacksmith Plovers were also nesting,
there being at least one pair with eggs and another with newly hatched chicks,
but none showed territorial behaviour in the vicinity of the Spur-winged
Plovers' territory.

On 4 January at 11:28 two Blacksmith Plovers flew over the Spur-wings'
territory and landed about 30m away. The sitting Spur-wing flew up when it
saw the Blacksmiths flying over, and then approached them on the ground ina
"forward threat crouch'; this was ignored by the Blacksmiths, who wandered
away. At 12:29 the sitting Spur-wing saw two Blacksmiths behind the nest,
went into a ‘threat crouch' at the nest and then flew towards the Blacksmith
Plovers, landing just in front of them. No display was given by either species
but the Blacksmiths flew away. I was surprised by the low level of aggression
induced by intruding Blacksmith Plovers, as other waders (Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticula, Kittlitz's Sandplover C. pecuarius, Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus, Little Stint Calidris minuta and Marsh Sandpiper Tringa
stagnatilis) feeding at the water's edge were attacked with vigour and driven
away, although Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava feeding very close to the nest
were ignored.

Although the above nest is the only breeding record that I have for Spur-
winged Plovers at Amboseli, I saw adult birds (never more than two) at this
site on every subsequent visit, the last occasion being 28 October 1979.

J.F. Reynolds, 6 Argyle Road, Bognor Regis, West Sussex PO21 1DY, England
Scopus 4: 43, June 1980 Received 29 November 1979

44 Short communications

THE RED-CHESTED CUCKOO CUCULUS SOLITARIUS IN COASTAL TANZANIA The Red-
chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius appears to be a highland species in East
Africa which has not been collected from the coastal strip, the nearest
records given by Snow (1978) being from the Usambaras and Ulugurus. The same
author notes that in southern Africa the species is a breeding migrant,
spending the non-breeding season at lower latitudes, and Britton (in press)
states that it visits coastal southeastern Tanzania between October and April.
The following records of the species are available from the Dar es Salaam
area; all are based on the loud, distinctive, three-syllable call. In January
1969 one of us (KMH) heard the call from secondary scrub and suburban gardens.
On 10 January 1978, KMH and CAM heard a bird call from a neglected cashew-nut
plantation near Ruvu South Forest Reserve, Kisarawe District, approximately
20km southwest of Dar es Salaam. Most recently, SNS heard a bird calling
in suburban gardens during heavy rain at Dar es Salaam on 13 February 1980.
The records of Fuggles-Couchman (1939) for the species from coastal Tanzania
appear to have been overlooked by later authors. However, there has certainly
been a change in the status of this species since his observations, as he
noted (p.82) 'The bird is very common in the |Eastern! province both on the
coast and inland in orchard-bush'. KMH and CAM have lived in Dar es Salaam
since 1968 and 1971 respectively. All three of us are familiar with the call
of the Red-chested Cuckoo, having heard it elsewhere at higher altitudes.
We feel it is unlikely that a species with such a loud, noticeable call would
have been overlooked by us or by other observers over the last decade.
Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1960) note breeding records in Tanzania from
October to March. There is no direct evidence that the birds at Dar es Salaam
were breeding. It is of interest that Britton (1977) has documented the
occurrence on the Kenya coast of the Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx
montanus, a species previously thought to be restricted to montane forest.

REFERENCES
BRITTON, P.L. 1977. A Kenya record of Cercococcyx montanus at sea-level.
Scopus 1: 23-24.

(ed.) in press. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi; EANHS.

FUGGLES-COUCHMAN, N.R. 1939. Notes on some birds of the Eastern Province of
Tanganyika Territory. Ibis 1939: 76-106.

SNOW, D.W. (ed.) 1978. An atlas of speciation in African non-passerine birds.
London: British Museum (Nat. Hist.).

K.M. Howell and C.A. Msuya, Department of Zoology, University of Dar es Salaam,
Box 35064, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and S.N. Stuart, c/o Box 44, Soni, Tanzania
Scopus 4: 44, June 1980 Received 14 March 1980

NOTES ON FEEDING HABITS OF PIED AND INDIAN HOUSE CROWS CORVUS ALBUS AND
SPLENDENS Pied Crows Corvus albus and Indian House Crows C.splendens are
abundant in and around Dar es Salaam. The House Crows have gradually increased
in numbers on the mainland since 1968 when they were scarce; the increase has
been especially noticeable since 1973 (K.M. Howell, pers. comm.). Both species
occur at Kunduchi on the coast 25km north of Dar. They are opportunists,
feeding largely on scraps from Kunduchi Beach Hotel (and other nearby hotels)
and on local rubbish dumps, and they also scavenge on the beach, feeding on
carcasses or remnants of turtles, fish and molluscs. Although usually seen in
small numbers, concentrations of 30 to 40 Pied (or House) Crows are often seen.
Goodwin (1976) summarized food items and feeding behaviour of the two species
but he did not mention House Crows feeding with domestic stock in the manner of
Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis or Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava. On 8 September

Scopus 4: 44-45, June 1980

Short communications 45

1979 four House Crows were watched in a fresh-water marsh about 200m inland
from the beach fedding around the feet of cattle, together with Cattle Egrets.
The crows also perched on the backs of adult cattle and calves and one crow
was seen to lean over and peck for some seconds around the perineal region of
a calf, probably picking off ticks clustered there.

Goodwin noted that food storing has been observed in captive Pied and Indian
House Crows, and suggested that it occurs in all corvids in the wild. Since
August 1979 Pied Crows have been seen on at least three occasions at Kunduchi
burying scraps of food in sand below coconut palms Cocos nucifera. As yet, I
have not seen House Crows doing this.

Both species feed largely on the ground or take food from tables at the hotel,
but House Crows in particular frequently take berries from a variety of trees,
hanging upside down on the thinner branches to obtain the fruit. Pied Crows
will eat the flesh of young coconuts on occasion.

REFERENCE
GOODWIN, D. 1976. Crows of the world. London: British Museum (Nat. Hist.).

Stephanie J. Tyler, Box 9152, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Received 17 November 1979

AN EXPERIMENT TO ATTRACT MIGRATING BIRDS WITH CAR HEADLIGHTS IN THE CHYULU
HILLS, KENYA The large falls of southward migrating Palaearctic birds which
occur on misty moonless nights at Ngulia Safari Lodge in Tsavo National Park
(West) have been extensively studied for eleven seasons (see, for example,
Pearson & Backhurst 1976, Backhurst & Pearson 1977). The powerful north-
facing game-viewing lights at the Lodge, situated at about 900m on the eastern
side of the Ngulia ridge, sometimes attract and ground thousands of passerine
migrants. To see whether a similar phenomenon could be found in the nearby
Chyulu Hills, which, like Ngulia, experience regular cloud cover at night
during November-December, I experimented with the use of light there on the
night of 26/27 November 1979.

The site chosen was at 2000m (much higher than Ngulia Lodge, and some 40 km
to the northwest), at the southeastern end of the Chylus, where a small road
Passes about 10m below the top of the ridge, and whence the escarpment falls
rapidly away to the northeast. The hills were covered with short grass at
this point, with no trees or bushes within 100m, apart from one small Acacia
no more than 50cm high. On the afternoon of arrival there were no Palaearctic
migrants visible in the area, although there had been a scattering of migrants
in the Tsavo bushland earlier in the day, and Ngulia had experienced a large
fall the previous night.

Cloud appeared all round at night, apparently extending down well below the
altitude of the site, but was rather thin above, for stars were frequently
visible. When the moon set at 01:00 I parked the vehicle facing northwards,
erected a single 12m net about 10m in front of it, near the edge of the
escarpment, and switched on the headlights. Immediately one headlight failed,
so the experiment had to be continued with only one light.

A few birds appeared through the mist during the first two hours, and some
were caught. Between 03:00 and 05:30 many more birds arrived, and in all 52
(45 Palaearctic migrants) were caught and ringed (Table 1).

Some observations were of particular interest. Although the light was
shining into the mist towards the north, most birds seemed to come circling
down from above. As they entered the mist they began shaking their feathers,
so that I always heard them coming. This suggests that these birds were not
migrating through the mist, but had been attracted from above it by the diffuse
glow produced by the light. A wing-shaking migration through the mist would

Scopus 4: 45-46, June 1980

46 Short communications

be somewhat exhausting. Birds circling down appeared to search for somewhere
to land, and many rested in the small Acacia; however, most that did not hit
the nest flew on quickly again. At first light, all migrants had gone.

TABLE 1
Birds caught between 01:00 and 05:30, 27 November 1979,
at 2000m, Chyulu Hills, Kenya

Tyto alba Barn Owl* 1
Coracias garrulus Eurasian Roller 1
Coturnix delegorguei Harlequin Quail* 5
Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove* 1

Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler 15
Locustella fluviatilis River Warbler 3
Sylvia caqmmunis Whitethroat 15
Luscinia luscinia Sprosser 10
Lanius isabellinus Red-tailed Shrike 1
*Ethiopian

This experiment suggests that, to attract birds, it is necessary simply to
illuminate an area beneath mist or cloud above which birds are migrating, and
that powerful, far-reaching beams directed towards the birds are not essential.
In this connexion, it is of interest that large falls have occasionally occurred
at Ngulia in April (see, for example, Britton & Britton 1977), when the birds
crossing the ridge from the south must have been attracted by the glow below
them, and could not have been influenced by the northward directed beams.

The variety of migrants caught in the Chyulus was similar to that typically
encountered in late November at Ngulia; the River Warblers were the first ever
recorded in the Chyulus. It was surprising that many of the Whitethroats were |
very fat; ten of the fifteen caught were rated Fat 3-4 (see Pearson & Backhurst
1976), and weighed 14.5 - 17.5g. A sample of 25 Whitethroats weighed on the ‘
same night at Ngulia were rated Fat 1-2, and nearly all weighed below 15g
(D.J. Pearson, pers. comm.). This might support the suggestion, based on
observations at Ngulia, that individuals carrying most fat tend to migrate at
a higher altitude (Backhurst & Pearson 1977). However, other species caught
in the Chyulus were less fat, and had weights similar to those recorded that
night at Ngulia.

Clearly it is possible, with the use of lights, to obtain information on
overhead migration at other hilly sites in Kenya, and elsewhere in Africa,
where misty conditions coincide with passage periods.

REFERENCES
BACKHURST, G.C. & PEARSON, D.J. 1977. Southward migration at Ngulia, Tsavo, ;
Kenya 1976/77. Scopus 1: 12-17.

BRITTON, P.L. & BRITTON, H.A. 1977. An April fall of Palaearctic migrants at
Ngulia. Scopus 1: 109-110.

PEARSON, D.J. & BACKHURST, G.C. 1976. The southward migration of Palaearctic
birds over Ngulia, Kenya. Ibis 118: 78-105.

G. Nikolaus [Juba], Box 47051, Nairobi Received 18 January 1980 :

Short communications 47

THE GREEN CROMBEC SYLVIETTA VIRENS IN KENYA Forbes-Watson (1971) and Britton
(in press) both exclude the Green Crombec Sylvietta virens from the Kenya list,
although there have been occasional unpublished sight records from the Kakamega
Forest, and the bird is mentioned from that locality by Williams (1967). On

1 and 2 June 1980 we had extensive views of this species at two localities
among dense forest at Kakamega, in the grid behind the Forester's house. Both
birds were seen in mixed bird parties which afforded easy size comparison

with such other species as Black-collared Apalis Apalis pulchra and Uganda
Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus budongoensis.

The birds seen were clearly crombecs, with almost non-existent tail, plump
appearance, and relatively slender bills. They were olive-brown above and
greyish white below, becoming much whiter on the belly. There was no con-
spicuous white eye-stripe visible. This exists in the White-browed Crombec
S. leucophrys, a common species of the North Nandi Forest and other montane
areas but which, according to Zimmerman (1972) is only a rare visitor to
Kakamega. The most diagnostic feature observed was the brownish-buff colouring
on the face and throat, extending to the upper breast. On both occasions the
birds were observed for several minutes at a range of less than 10m.

The Green Crombec is a common forest bird in Uganda, not restricted to the
westernmost forests, and is often seen in company with the same species as
observed at Kakamega.

REFERENCES
BRITTON, P.L. (ed.) in press. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS.

ZIMMERMAN, D.A. 1972. The avifauna of the Kakamega Forest, western Kenya,
including a bird population study. Bulletin of the American Museum of
Watural History. 149: 257-339.

J.D. Gerhart, Box 41081, Nairobi and R.O. Paxton, Columbia University, New
Work, NY 10027, U.S.A.
Scopus 4: 47, June 1980 Received 10 June 1980

HEUGLIN'S MASKED WEAVER PLOCEUS HEUGLINI NEST{NG IN BUSOGA, UGANDA On a recent
trip to northern Busoga, Uganda, on 3 February 1980, the following observations
were made on the nesting of Heuglin's Masked Weaver Ploceus heuglini.

Beside the road were the usual electricity power lines, supported at intervals
by poles. On a stretch of about 1ikm, approximately 33°E and 1°N, several
Heuglin's Masked Weaver colonies were noted along the wires. The largest
colony had 20 nests, and the smallest only one. In every case the nests were
near to the supporting poles. Many nests were in the process of being built,
varying from a few grass strands woven into a ring, to completed structures.
The birds were very noisy and very actively building and displaying. No females
were seen, and all the building was apparently being done by the males.

The nests were mostly very close together, typically with a group of three
or four touching each other, followed by a gap of half a metre or so, then
another cluster of nests, or a single nest. The nests were without spouts,
and had an entrance hole at the bottom, slightly to one side. One was seen
to have a 'tail' of grass woven from the top of the nest, sideways along the
wire.

The colonies were mostly over semi-permanent swamp which had dried out
during a recent drought. There were numerous thorn trees, and other apparently
Suitable nesting sites in the area. The species has been recorded in Teso
District (Mann 1976), but apparently not before in Busoga.

Scopus 4: 47-48, June 1980

48 Short communications and Notices

REFERENCE
MANN, C.F. 1976. The birds of Teso District, Uganda. Journal of the East
Africa Natural History Society and National Museum..156: 1-16.

Margaret Carswell, Department of Surgery, Box 7051, Kampala, Uganda
Received 28 March 1980

NOTICES

SUBSCRIPTION INCREASES FOR 1981

During the first four years of the life of Scopus, worldwide inflation has
been running at a very high level. Throughout this period the subscription to
Scopus has remained unchanged. It is with considerable regret that, with
effect from January 1981, we shall be forced to increase the rates but we
hope that subscribers will bear with us and continue to give the journal
their support. With the increases we have simplified matters, to produce
fewer rates as follows:

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LATE APPEARANCE OF THE JUNE SCOPUS

The Editor apologizes for the late appearance of this issue, due mainly to the
pressure of work with the forthcoming Birds of East Africa. He would like to
thank Dr D.J. Pearson for a great deal of help with the editing of this and
the September issue which, it is hoped, will be published on time. Work is
also progressing on the East African Bird Report 1979.

EAST AFRICAN BIRD RINGING REPORT, 1977-80

Apologies are also due for the non-appearance of a ringing report since October
1977. Most of the data for the report are to hand and the writing of it will
begin shortly. Those ringers who have not sent in their schedules for 1979/80
(or even earlier years) are urged to do so as soon as possible, to Box 24702,
Nairobi.

BIRDS OF EAST AFRICA

This book will be published in the second half of August 1980, all enquiries
to D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi. For those in, or passing through, Nairobi
the book will be available from the Society's office in the National Museum
and from leading booksellers.

Continued fromeinstde front cover

"References'; the name(s) of the author(s) and date(s) of publication should be
given in the text in the normal way. A list of the works concerned is given below.

Observers are asked to send in records of birds for inclusion in the annual
East African bird report issue. Records which appear in the Wattonal Museums of
Kenya Department of Ornithology Newsletter will be reviewed for the annual
report but, in the case of rare birds or birds showing an extension of range,
full details supporting the record should be submitted, whether the record is
sent to the Wewsletter or Scopus - this will save correspondence later on.

All contributions should be sent to Dr D.J. Pearson, Department of Biochemistry,
University of Nairobi, Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya.

WORKS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE LISTED UNDER REFERENCES

FORBES-WATSON, A.D. 1971. Skeleton checklist of East African birds. Nairobi
(duplicated). = Forbes-Watson 1971.

HALL, B.P. & MOREAU, R.E. 1970. An atlas of spectatton tn African Passerine birds.
London: British Museum (Nat. Hist.). = Hall & Moreau 1970.

JACKSON, F.J. 1938. The birds of Kenya Colony and the Uganda Protectorate. 3 vols.
London: Gurney & Jackson. = Jackson 1938

MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1957 & 1960. Afrtcan handbook of btrds.
Series I, vols 1 & 2. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. 2nd Edition.
London: Longmans Green & Co. = Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1957 and/or 1960.

MOREAU, R.E. 1966. The btrd faunas of Africa and tts tslands. London: Academic
Press. = Moreau 1966.

1972. The Palaearctic-African bird migration systems. London:
Academic Press. = Moreau 1972.

WHITE, C.M.N. 1960. A check list of the Ethiopian Muscicapidae (Sylviinae) Part I
Oceastonal papers of the National Museums of Southern Rhodesta 3 (24B): 399-
430. = White 1960.

1961. A revised check list of African broadbills....etc. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1961.

1962a. A check list of the Ethiopian Muscicapidae (Sylviinae) Parts
II and III. Occastonal papers of the Nattonal Musewns of Southern Rhodesta
3 (26B): 653-738. = White 1962a.

1962b. A revised check list of African shrtkes....etc. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1962b.

1963. A revised check list of Afrtcan flycatehers....etc. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1963.

1965. A revised check list of African Non-Passerine birds. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1965.

WILLIAMS, J.G. 1967. A fteld guide to the Nattonal Parks of East Africa. London:
Collins. = Williams 1967.

1969. A field guide to the birds of East and Central Africa.
4th impression. London: Collins. = Williams 1969.

CONTENTS

D.J. PEARSON. Northward spring passage of Palaearctic passerines
aACTOSS TSAVO! si ae fet ee Se es tet ce ees ee kere oe on Tone tS

D.E. POMEROY. Aspects of the ecology of Crowned Cranes Balearica
Igoe buoy abiie ae Wie eis a aS AGG oo a4 6 ba oo 6 oo oo oO

S.N. STUART and D.A. TURNER< Some range extensions and other notable
records of forest birds from eastern and northeastern Tanzania

Short communications

D.A. TURNER. The Madagascar Squacco Heron Ardeola idae in East
AEtLca, with, notes) on wes -Evelld adentistucatilon ) .) eee

J.F. REYNOLDS. Sympatry of Blacksmith and Spur-winged Plovers
Vanellus armatus and spinosus at Amboseli .........

K.M. HOWELL, C.A. MSUYA and S.N. STUART. The Red-chested Cuckoo
Cucalus sols tars Am) (coastal) Lan Zanidiaes see Cnn nee

STEPHANIE J. TYLER. Notes on feeding habits of Pied and Indian
House Crows Corvus albus and splendens ......

G. NIKOLAUS. An experiment to attract migrating birds with car
ineerollaioimnets) aligl Tele (layyGulGl HIS, Ie 56 5 6 6 0 6 0 6

J.D. GERHART and R.O. PAXTON. The Green Crombec Sylvietta virens
am Kemyal 3) eee. 25!) eae een PS, or fer Woh ein sa totes emp on US

MARGARET CARSWELL. Heuglin's Masked Weaver Ploceus heuglini
igversiesliqyey aba) leibicvoejel, Weenie, 5 46 56 6 G6 6 6 6 ooo

Notices
Subscriprion increases! tor UGSIs ose tes een ae
lkeheley Giojolsyenaciaves) One icine wine Sees 5 6 5 5 6 6 6 moo 6 Oo oo
Bast African bird ringing ~eporth, 197 7-SO) Gaye en ee eee

Birds Of Hast ALTICa a <a ely Cee ee sree eee ee eee

Printed in Kenya by IAL, Box 19012, Nairobi

29

29

36

42

43

44

44

45

47

47

48

48

48

48

ISSN 0250-4162
MUS. CoOMr ZOOL
L| 3m AN = mf

JAN 1.4 198)

HARVARD

SCOPUS

A quarterly ornithological publication
of the East Africa Natural History Society

Volume 4 (3) September 1980 15 shillings

SCOPUS

Scopus is published five times a year by the East Africa Natural History
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NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS

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Continued tnstde back cover

Scopus 4 (3) September 1980

SCOPUS

AVIFAUNAS OF KENYA FOREST ISLANDS. I - MOUNT KULAL
A.W. Didmond ¢& G.S. Keith

Mount Kulal (36°50'E, 2°40'N) lies 25km east of the southern end of Lake
Turkana and about 55km north of the nearest forest, on Mt Nyiru. It is of
special interest because it carries an isolated 'island' of montane forest
that has almost certainly never been connected to any other forest, and its
birds must therefore have colonized it by crossing the intervening sub-desert;
it therefore constitutes a truly 'oceanic' island of forest (Diamond in press).
The only previous account is a brief paragraph in Moreau (1966, p.195) which
lists seven species of montane forest birds, and is difficult to interpret
(see Discussion below).

We visited Mt Kulal separately, from 4-8 November 1962 (GSK) and 1-8 Sept-
ember 1979 (AWD), collecting only on the former occasion. In view of the
little that is known of this potentially very interesting avifauna, and the
difficulty of reaching Mt Kulal, we feel that it is worthwhile to record what
we found and to discuss these findings in relation to other montane avifaunas
of East Africa.

MT KULAL AND ITS FOREST
The most recent description of the forest is by Synott (1979). Kulal is a
volcanic mountain rising to a height of about 2300m from the c.700m of the
surrounding plains. The mountain comprises a southern and a northern block,
separated by a slim vertical wall of rock that has never been traversed.
Access from the south is now relatively easy, by motorable track from the
settlement of Gatab (1600m) deep into the forest; the northern part is still
difficult to reach and has not been explored biologically. The mountain has
steep sides, deeply eroded, only the upper slopes (from about 1800m) being
forested. The forest is fringed by colonizing communities dominated by
Juniperus procera and broken up throughout by grassy glades, many of which
are probably maintained by fire and grazing. The local Samburu people graze
and water cattle throughout the forest in dry weather (which is the usual
weather in the area) so that regeneration of trees within the forest is sparse
and unlikely to maintain the existing type of forest in the future. The extent
of this problem is illustrated by AWD's futile attempts to mist-net birds
within the forest; these attempts were abandoned because of disturbance by
cattle and their herd-boys, and because there was too little vegetation
below mist-net height (c.2.5m) to yield worthwhile catches.

The forest covers only about 4000ha (Synott 1979); this is less than 4
per cent of the figure of 40 square miles (c.102km’) given by Moreau (1966)
which evidently referred to the area of the forest reserve (which has never,
in fact, been so gazetted) rather than the actual forest itself. It is mon-
tane in nature, as the abundance of Juniperus indicates, though it lacks

Scopus 4: 49-55, September 1980

50 Avifauna of Mt Kulal

both the species of Podocarpus that are typical of montane forest elsewhere in
Kenya. Forest tree species are listed fully by Synott (1979). In five plots,
20 x 20m each, enumerated by Dr N.M. Baig in September 1979 in the area
worked most intensively by AWD, the tree species recorded were: Teclea simpli-
folia (7), Olea hochstetteri (5), Causiporea malosana (3), Diospyros abyssinica
and Juniperus procera (2 each), Cussonia spicatus and Olea africana (1 each).
Canopy height in these plots ranged from 5 to 11m, mean 8.4m.

The only large mammals remaining in the forest, apart from domestic cattle,
are Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros, though buffalo Syncerus caffer and
elephant Loxodonta africana used to occur.

SPECIES LIST
The separate observations of the two authors are indicated by initials; where
no initials are given, their observations agree. Specimens collected are given
in Appendix 1.

Polyboroides radiatus Harrier Hawk Soaring over forest once (AWD).
Accipiter tachiro African Goshawk Seen once over forest clearing (AWD).

Buteo tachardus Mountain Buzzard Fairly common in forest (GSK, AWD) and also
around the edge (AWD).

Aplopelia larvata Lemon Dove Fairly common in forest; GSK recorded full-
grown young. Listed by Moreau (1966).

Tauraco hartlaubi Hartlaub's Turaco Very common and vocal. Listed by Moreau.

[Ciccaba woodfordii African Wood Owl A distant muffled hoot heard by GSK may
have been from this species.

Apaloderma narina Narina's Trogon Several seen near the top of the mountain
by AWD.

Tockus alboterminatus Crowned Hornbill Fairly common, but unusually shy and
silent, keeping to the tops of trees (AWD).

Pogoniulus pusillus Red-fronted Tinkerbird Seen closely, calling in juniper
thickets at forest edge, also probably within the forest where GSK heard
Pogoniulus sp. calling commonly. On another forest island, Mt Endau (Kitui
District, eastern Kenya), this species does penetrate true forest in the
absence of any of the usual forest tinkerbirds (AWD, in prep.).

Dendropicos fuscescens Cardinal Woodpecker Several in forest (GSK).
Alcippe abyssinica African Hill Babbler Fairly common in forest (GSK).

[Andropadus tephrolaemus Mountain Greenbul Listed by Moreau (1966) but not
recorded by either of us.

Phyllastrephus placidus Placid Greenbul Common in forest.

Pycnonotus barbatus Common Bulbul The race dodsoni was common at the forest
edge and in clearings.

Cossypha caffra Robin Chat Seen twice at the edge of a forest clearing
by AWD.

Pogonocichla stellata White-starred Forest Robin Common throughout the
forest; with full-grown young at the time of GSK's visit. Listed by Moreau.

Turdus abyssinicus Northern Olive Thrush Common in forest. One of the two
males collected by GSK had slightly enlarged testes.

Avifauna of Mt Kulal 51

Turdus piaggiae Abyssinian Ground Thrush Very common and singing during GSK's
visit, but shy and difficult to see, and not singing, during AWD's. Listed by
Moreau.

Camaroptera brachyura Grey-backed Camaroptera Common at edge, in clearings
and in forest undergrowth.

Phylloscopus umbrovirens Brown Woodland Warbler Very common throughout the
“orest.

[Melaenornis chocolatina White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher Listed by Moreau (1966)
but not recorded by either of us.

Terpsiphone viridis Paradise Flycatcher Scarce, in taller, more open parts
of the forest and at the edge (AWD).

[Dryoscopus sp. puffback A single bird at the edge of a marshy clearing in
the forest, and another in a juniper thicket outside the forest edge, were
not seen clearly enough to distinguish between D.cubla (the Black-backed Puff-
back) and D. angolensis (the Pink-footed Puffback) on AWD's visit.

Laniarius ferrugineus Tropical Boubou Common at the edge and near clearings.

Onychognathus morio Red-winged Starling Very common over forest, often
settling in the tops of tall trees (AWD).

Anthreptes collaris Collared Sunbird Occasional at the forest edge (AWD).

Anthreptes orientalis Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird Several in a clump of
junipers surrounded by flowering Leonotis just outside the forest edge (AWD).

Nectarinia amethystina Amethyst Sunbird A single male was seen at the forest
edge (AWD).

Nectarinia mariquensis Mariqua Sunbird Several males were seen with the
Anthreptes orientalis (AWD).

Nectarinia mediocris Eastern Double-collared Sunbird Very common at forest
edge and in clearings. Listed by Moreau (1966).

Nectarinia reichenowi Golden-winged Sunbird Two males singing vigorously,
and several females with grown young in a marshy clearing in the forest (AWD).

Zosterops poliogastra Montane White-eye The endemic race kulalensis was
extremely common, feeding chiefly in Leonotis flowers; many had the forehead
strongly coloured orange with pollen.

Ploceus baglafecht Baglafecht Weaver Occasional at the forest edge (AWD),
fairly common at the edge and in clearings (GSK).

Estrilda melanotis Yellow-bellied Waxbill Fairly common at the edge (GSK)
and in some clearings (AWD).

NON-FOREST SPECIES RECORDED ON KULAL

A full list of the Kulal avifauna is in preparation by H.F. Lamprey and

C.R. Field; here we merely list, without comment, those species that we
recorded which were not associated with the forest, most of the records were
from the area around the settlement of Gatab.

Neophron monachus Hooded Vulture, Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture,
Trigonoceps occipitalis White-headed Vulture, Milvus migrans Black Kite,

52 Avifauna of Mt Kulal

Falco tinnunculus Kestrel (African race), Francolinus leucoscepus Yellow-necked
Spurfowl, Francolinus sp., about the size of F. sephaena and rather dark above
but with a chestnut wing-patch; flushed from grassland and not seen again (GSK),
Numida meleagris Helmeted Guineafowl, Centropus superciliosus White-browed
Coucal, Apus aequatorialis Mottled Swift, Coracias naevia Rufous-crowned
Roller, Campethera nubica Nubian Woodpecker, Hirundo fuligula African Rock
Martin, Corvus rhipidurus Fan-tailed Raven, Parus albiventris White-bellied
Tit, Turdoides rubiginosus Rufous Chatterer, Monticola saxatilis Rock Thrush,
Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit, Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail, Laniarius funebris
Slate-coloured Boubou, Lanius collaris Fiscal and Onychognathus salvadorii
Bristle-crowned Starling.

DISCUSSION
Moreau's 1966 account of the Mt Kulal avifauna, like those of other montane
forests, is difficult to interpret because he excluded species that he did
not consider to be 'montane' or 'forest' species. His list for Mt Kulal is
particularly obscure because it follows a list of seven ‘montane forest' species
known from Mt Marsabit, 80km to the southeast, and begins with the phrase
"the IMt Kulall forest........is inhabited by several species not established
at Marsabit, namely...". From this it is impossible to teil which, if any, of
the species listed for Marsabit also occur at Kulal. Of the seven species
listed by Moreau for Marsabit, we found three on Kulal (Phyllastrephus
placidus, Phylloscopus umbrovirens and Turdus abyssinicus). Moreau's descript-
ion of Marsabit as a ‘montane’ forest is also rather inaccurate, since its
maximum altitude (1539m) is only 39m above the lower limit for montane
forest given by Moreau himself, and its forest vegetation is very different
from that of truly montane forests in Kenya (Synott 1979, AWD pers. obs.).

Our observations raise the number of species known from the Kulal forest to
3C, of which 24 were found actually in the forest (excluding the two species
listed by Moreau which we did not find). We do not stress the distinction
between 'forest' and ‘edge’ because we regard the edge as part of the forest,
as of course are the clearings. It would, however, be sensible to exclude from
the 30 species found in forest or edge, those that occurred only at the edge
but which were common in surrounding bushland, suggesting that they had
colonized the edge from outside; Anthreptes orientalis and Nectarinia mari-
quensis are examples of this type. Clearly, these belong to a different
category from species that occur in forest edge but neither in dense forest
nor in the surrounding semi-arid vegetation, such as Laniarius ferruginius
which is replaced outside the forest edge by L.funebris. To clarify this
distinction would require more field work in the non-forest habitats, which
we did not have time to cover thoroughly. Future workers are urged to pay
more attention to the habitats surrounding the forest to clarify the status
of edge species.

We have given records separately where our two sets of observations differ,
because thev were made 17 years apart, and one of the features of the biology
of true oceanic islands, that might be expected to occur also on island
analogues such as the Mt Kulal forest, is that they suffer considerable species
turnover; species go extinct locally, and others colonize, at rates that should
be measurable over this sort of time interval. Our two lists are in general
agreement, the differences being due most probably to the greater time spent
by AWD, except in the case of Alcippe abyssinica which GSK found fairly
common but AWD did not record at all, in spite of being familiar with it
elsewhere. It is the most likely case of local extinction in these sets of
observations, but it is a skulking and inconspicuous bird that is easily
overlooked if not singing and might, therefore, have been missed by AWD.

Avifauna of Mt Kulal 53

Two other apparent extinctions, listed by Moreau but not found by us (Andro-
padus tephrolaemus and Melaenornis chocolatina) are even harder to interpret
because Moreau's list was based partly on GSK's own unpublished data and we
cannot be sure whether these two species have genuinely become extinct on
Kulal or whether Moreau listed them in error.

TABLE 1

Species recorded in the forests of Mt Nyiru and Mt Kulal

Species Nyiru Kulal
Aplopelia larvata (x)? x
Tauraco hartlaubi x x
Apaloderma narina x
Tockus alboterminatus x
Pogoniulus leucomystax x

Pogoniulus pusillus x

Indicator indicator
Indicator variegatus
Dendropicos fuscescens x
Alcippe abyssinica
Coracina caesia
Andropadus latirostris
Phyllastrephus placidus
Pycnonotus barbatus
Cossypha caffra
Pogonocichla stellata
Turdus abyssinicus
Turdus piaggiae
Bradypterus cinnamomeus
Camaroptera brachyura x
Chloropeta similis
Phylloscopus umbrovirens
Melaenornis chocolatina
Muscicapa adusta
Terpsiphone viridis
Dryoscopus sp.

Laniarius ferrugineus x
Onychognathus morio

Anthreptes collaris

x xX

Re I OK OX AR: oe ORR PN mm me KG
x

mK KM KR MK

Nectarinia famosa a
Nectarinia mediocris x x
Nectarinia reichenowi x x
Nectarinia tacazze oe
Zosterops poliogastra x x
Cryptospiza salvadorii x
Estrilda melanotis x x

1 probable sight record, ? only found in 1962, not 1979

Oceanic islands not only suffer local extinctions but also receive immigrants
that establish new populations. AWD found a number of species that GSK did
not, but again, we cannot be sure that these represent genuine colonizations
since AWD spent longer on the mountain than did GSK.

54 Avifauna of Mt Kulal

The nearest forest to Mt Kulal is that on Mt Nyiru, 55km to the south, whose
avifauna was described by Friedmann & Stager (1969). Mt Nyiru is higher, and
its montane forest more extensive, than Mt Kulal. Nyiru's altitude is 2727n,
and its forest covers an area of some 155km’*, but it is even more isolated
from the nearest forest (other than Kulal), the forests of the Karissia and
Matthews ranges each being about 80 - 100km to the south. Table 1 (p. 53)
compares the avifaunas of the two montane forests as now known, and supercedes
Friedmann & Stager's (1969) comparison, which was based on inadequate knowledge
of Mt Kulal.

Of the 36 species known from the two forests together, only 14 occur in both,
12 occur only on Nyiru and 10 are known from Kulal but not Nyiru. Since Kulal
is likely to have received most of its species from Nyiru, these last ten are
of the most interest.

The lack of a forest hornbill on Nyiru is most surprising and may represent
a gap in observation rather than distribution; Narina's Trogon is also easy
to overlook. Friedmann & Stager (1969) commented on the lack of woodpeckers in
the montane forest on Nyiru but did record the Cardinal Woodpecker (which GSK
saw in the Kulal forest) in the surrounding lowlands, and perhaps it penetrates
the forest, at least to some extent. In three other cases, species found on
Kulal but not Nyiru may represent invasions of the forest by species normally
confined to the edge or surrounding bush. That they are able to penetrate the
forest on Kulal may be due to the absence of the usual forest competitor; we
suggest that Pogoniulus pusillus replaces P. leucomystax, Pycnonotus barbatus
partly replaces Andropadus latirostris though without penetrating deep into
forest, and Camaroptera brachyura perhaps replaces Bradypterus cinnamomeus, in
this way. In all these cases, the species which is found in forest on Kulal
but not on Nyiru is found in the surrounding bushland on both mountains, and
we suggest that these pairs of species are potential ecological competitors
and that their invasions of the Kulal forest are examples of ecological release
or niche expansion.

In summary, the avifauna of the Mt Kulal forest is depauperate, as would be
expected from its isolation, but much less so than Moreau's account suggested,
and comprises species of wide distribution elsewhere in Kenyan montane forests.
One species, Alcippe abyssinica, may, possibly have become extinct there since
1962, probably from natural causes related to the insular nature of the forest.
Comparison with the avifauna of the Mt Nyiru forest suggests that three species
found in the Kulal forest may be examples of ecological release in the absence
of potential competitors.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
For transport to Kulal and facilities at Gatab, AWD wishes to thank Dr H.F.
Lamprey and Dr C.R. Field of the UNESCO/IPAL Project. For return transport,
and vegetation data, he also thanks Dr M.N. Baig of the Botany Department,
University of Nairobi. AWD's work was partly supported by Research Grant
No. 670/367 from the University of Nairobi.

REFERENCES
DIAMOND, A.W. in press. Reserves as oceanic islands: lessons for conserving
some East African montane forests. African Journal of Ecology.

FRIEDMANN, H. & STAGER, K.E. 1969. Results of the 1968 Avil Expedition to
Mt. Nyiru, Samburu District, Kenya. Ornithology. Los Angeles County
Museum, Contributions in Science 130: 1-34.

SYNOTT, T.J. 1979. A report on the status, importance and protection of the
montane forests. UNESCO/UNEP Integrated Project in Arid Lands: cyclostyled.

Avifauna of Mt Kulal 55

APPENDIX 1

SPECIMENS COLLECTED BY G.S. KEITH ON SOUTH KULAL, NOVEMBER 1962

Species sex wt (g) date alt. (m)
Aplopelia larvata £ 140 6 1860
FE 145 6 1860

m juv 150 7 1860

£ juv 125 7 1860

Phyllastrephus placidus m 26 6 1860
£ 21 6 1860

Monticola saxatilis m 33 8 1675
Pogonocichla stellata m 18 5 1860
nm 19 7 1860

m 7 7 1860

+ 17 5 1860

? juv 17 5 1860

Turdus abyssinicus m* 64 6 1860
m 57 a 1860

£ 61 5 1860

Turdus piaggiae m 50 6 1860
m* 58 6 1860

m* 53 6 1860

m 49 6 1860

£ 52 6 1860

Camaroptera brachyura m 9 6 1860
Phylloscopus umbrovirens m 6 6 1860
£ 6 5 1860

£ 5 6 1860

Anthus trivialis m 19 6 1980
£ 19 6 1860

Ianiarius ferrugineus m 49 6 1860
Nectarinia mediocris m** 5 5 1860
m** 5 6 1860

m* 5 6 1980

m 5 6 1860

Zosterops poliogastra m ii 6 1860
£ 13 5 1860

Estrilda melanotis m 5 7 1860

*= gonads slightly enlarged, **= gonads enlarged. No asterisk denotes no gonad
enlargement.

A.W. Diamond, Edward Grey Institute, Zoology Department, South Parks Road,
Oxford OX1 3PS, England and G.S. Keith, Department of Ornithology, American
Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024
USA
(Received 17 July 1980, revised 26 August 1980)

Simon N. Stuart & Tessa A. van der Willigen

Moreau's Sunbird Nectarinia moreaui is at present considered to be a member of
a superspecies whose other members are N. loveridgei, N.mediocris, N. regia
and N. rockefelleri (Hall & Moreau 1970). It was once considered to be a sub-
species of the Eastern Double-collared Sunbird N.mediocris, but Williams
(1950) regarded it as a separate species on the basis of plumage character-
istics. Nectarinia moreaui is a Tanzania endemic, restricted to the forests of ‘
the Nguru, Ukaguru and Uvidunda Mountains (Turner 1977). Loveridge's Sunbird
N.loveridgei is restricted to the nearby Uluguru Mountains. The much more
widespread N.mediocris occurs in mountain forests from Kenya south to Malawi
and Mozambique, with the exception of those areas where N.moreaui and N. lover-
idgei occur. Hall & Moreau (1970) note that "it is remarkable that N. moreaui
and N. loveridgei should break the range of N.mediocris as they do." In this
paper we present a theory that accounts for the strange distributions of these
three species.

S56 Moreau's Sunbird
IS MOREAU'S SUNBIRD WECTARINIA MOREAUI A HYBRID SPECIES?

THE THEORY
It is suggested that N.mediocris, N.loveridgei, N.regia and N. rockefelleri
are descendants from one, formerly widespread, parent species. The range of
this species is thought to have contracted to a few small forest refuges during
periods when forest extent in Africa was at a low. The resulting fragmentation
of the range of the parent species created ideal conditions for speciation. j
Possible forest refuge localities for the evolution of the species observed '
today would be the Usambara Mountains for N.mediocris, the Ulugurus for
N. loveridgei, and forest refuges in western Uganda or eastern Zaire for N.regia
and N.rockefelleri. These localities are all suggested as forest refuges by
Hamilton (1976). With the subsequent increase in the extent of the forest
there were opportunities for all four species to spread. Nectarinia regia
spread along the mountains of the western rift, as did N. rockefelleri toa
lesser extent. Nectarinia mediocris spread out from the Usambaras, north into
Kenya, and south into Malawi and Mozambique. Unlike these other three species,
N. loveridgei has not extended its range beyond its postulated ancestral
refuge (i.e. the Uluguru Mountains). However, we suggest that: it did once
spread as far as the nearby Uvidunda, Ukaguru and Nguru Mountains (all of
which are within 100km of the Ulugurus) and there hybridized with WN. mediocris
to form the species we now call N.moreaui. The range of N.mediocris was thus
split into two isolated units.

ae

EVIDENCE FOR THE THEORY
Apart from the distributional evidence given above, there is further support
for the theory that N.moreaui is a hybrid between N. loveridgei and N.mediocris,
from plumage and other physical characteristics. Skins were examined by TAvdW
in the British Museum (Natural History). The sample size was as follows:

males females

N. moreaui 5 4
N. loveridgei 9 4
N.mediocris usambarica i1 4
N.m. fuelleborni 16 3

Nectarinia m. usambarica is the subspecies of N.mediocris occurring direct-
ly to the north of N.moreaui, N.m. fuelleborni occurring to the south. The
comparison of these species follows.

Scopus 4: 56-58, September 1980

‘

Moreau's Sunbird 57

Size: decreasing in the order N. loveridgei, N.moreaui, N.mediocris.
Feet: black in all species.

Iris: brown to black in all species.

The following comparisons are for males only.

Rump: tips of upper tail coverts almost purple in N. loveridgei, and N.m. fuelle-
borni; a hint of purple in N.moreaui; royal blue in N.m. usambarica.

Back: glossy bronzy green in N.mediocris and N.moreaui; more green, with only
a hint of bronze in N. loveridgei.

Head: bronzy green in all cases, except a little variation in N.moreaui, where
the green may be less pronounced or even replaced with purplish.

Wings: primaries and secondaries are brown, edged with yellow in all species;
upper wing coverts are bronzy in N.mediocris, from bronzy to decidedly green
in N.moreaui, and green in N. loveridgei.

Belly: yellowish grey to bright yellow in the order N.m. usambarica, N.m. fuelle-
borni, N.moreaui, N. loveridgei.

Chest: the red band is broader and more intense in N.m. fuelleborni than in
N.m. usambarica. In N.moreaui it is broader still, being no longer a band
but a patch. The yellow patches at the sides of the red band are larger in
N.m. fuelleborni than N.m.usambarica. In N.,moreaui they are larger still,
extending a good deal further down and also medially towards the centre of
the chest. This means that N.mediocris (both subspecies) has a transverse
red chest-band with patches of yellow at the sides, whereas N.moreaui has
a red patch with longitudinal lines of yellow at the sides. The red in
N.moreaui is variable in colour, some specimens being almost as red as
N.mediocris, others being almost as orange as N. loveridgei. In N. loveridgei
there is a definite orange patch (as opposed to a red band) bordered by the
yellow of the belly on three sides. The purple/blue collar is present in all
species. In N. loveridgei it is purple. In N.moreaui it seems to be slightly
more purple than the blue of N. mediocris.

Throat: bronzy green in all species.
The following comparisons are for females only.

Nectarinia m. usambarica and N.m. fuelleborni are almost indistinguishable,
fuelleborni being slightly brighter. Both have a greyish-yellow belly, and
neither has any sheen whatsoever. Nectarinia loveridgei is brighter yellow on
the belly. Like N.mediocris it is olive-brown on the back, but has glossy
turquoise blue tips and edges to the back feathers, and purplish-blue tips
and edges to the head feathers. Nectarinia moreaui has a belly intermediate in
colour between N.mediocris and N. loveridgei. It has a turquoise sheen on the
back, though this is less pronounced than in N. loveridgei, and no sheen on
the head.

These comparisons lend considerable support to the theory outlined above.
Not only does N.moreaui appear to be intermediate between N.mediocris and
N. loveridgei, but it also shows considerable variation in its plumage, as
would be expected of a hybrid species.

DISCUSSION
In the light of the evidence presented in this paper we believe N.moreaui to
be a stabilized hybrid species between N.mediocrisand N.loveridgei. We are
familiar with all three species in the field and can confirm that they have
similar ecological requirements, preferring the middle and upper strata of

58 Moreau's Sunbird

mountain forest. Their songs appear to us to be identical.

The concept of a stabilized hybrid species in East Africa is not new. Hall
(1963) proposed such a theory for the Grey-breasted Spurfowl Francolinus rufo-
pictus, as did Hall & Moreau (1970) for Hinde's Babbler Turdoides hindei.

Nectarinia moreaui is unusual amongst the endemic birds of the forests of
eastern Tanzania in that it appears to be the result of recent speciation.

Most of the rare birds of these forests are probably much older relict species:
such are the Dappled Mountain Robin Modulatrix orostruthus and the Long-billed
Apalis Apalis moreaui (see Stuart, in prep.), Mrs Moreau's Warbler Bathmocercus
winifredae, the Uluguru Bush Shrike Malaconotus alius, and the Usambara Weaver
Ploceus olivaceiceps nicolli. Unlike some of these species, N.moreaui is
abundant in some parts, if not all, of its small range. The forests which it
inhabits are in remote areas of low human population density, where forest
destruction is not a serious threat, and it is therefore in no immediate
danger.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank C.W. Benson, A.D. Forbes-Watson and K.M. Howell for
their comments on earlier drafts of this paper, and I.C.J. Galbraith for
allowing TAvdW to study skins at the Sub-department of Ornithology, Tring.

REFERENCES
HALL, B.P. 1963. The francolins. A study in speciation. Bulletin of the
British Museum (Natural History). Zoology. 10: 107-204.

HAMILTON, A.C. 1976. The significance of patterns of distribution.shown by
forest plants and animals in tropical Africa for the reconstruction of Upper
Pleistocene palaeoenvironments: a review. Palaeoecology of Africa. 9: 63-97.

STUART, S.N. in prep. An explanation for the disjunct distributions of Modul-
atrix orostruthus and Apalis (or Orthotomus) moreaui. Scopus.

TURNER, D.A. 1977. Status and distribution of East African endemic species.
Scopus 1: 2-11.

WILLIAMS, J.G. 1950. On the status of Cinnyris mediocris moreaui. Ibis 92:
645-647.

Simon N. Stuart, Box 44, Soni, Tanzania, and Tessa A. van der Willigen, Box
9534, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

(Received 4 June 1980)

ee

Palaearctic wader survey 59

A SURVEY OF WINTERING PALAEARCTIC WADERS IN THE SOUTHERN
PART OF THE KENYAN RIFT VALLEY

D.J. Pearson & T. Stevenson

The rift valley constitutes the main wintering area for Palaearctic waders in
inland Kenya, and one of the most important in East Africa. Lake Turkana in
the north, with approximately 500km of shoreline, and the various small lakes
from Baringo south to Magadi with a total of about another i50km of shore-
line, support many thousands of migrant waders each year from August to May,
the principal species being the Little Stint Calidris minuta, the Ruff Philo-
machus pugnax and the Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis. However, apart from
local counts, quantitative data on waders are lacking for the rift valley
lakes, as indeed for other wetland areas of East Africa. No attempts appear to
have been made to survey wintering numbers over any area of substantial size.

With water levels usually highest during August - September and April - May,
and falling progresively during October - March, rift valley wetland habitats
tend to undergo considerable seasonal change, and much local winter movement
of waders occurs. It is not easy therefore to establish seasonal patterns of
wader abundance from observations at individual sites. Year to year differences
may also be considerable as the result of longer term changes in water levels.
We decided, however, that a mid-winter count, extending over a substantial
section of the rift valley would be of value in providing a reference for
future census work, and hopefully in stimulating interest in surveys in other
major areas. During January 1980 therefore, we jointly carried out such a
survey, and the results are reported here.

METHODS AND LOCALITIES
Wader numbers were assessed at most of the major sites of which we were aware
in the southern part of the Kenyan rift valley, from Baringo south to Shombole.
In addition to Lakes Baringo, Bogoria, Nakuru, Elmenteita, Naivasha and Magadi
(east and south shores), we visited the southern Ewaso Nyiro swamp near Shom-
bole, and a sometimes flooded swamp northeast of Mogotio. We were unable to
visit Solai, which was flooded at the time; nor did we cover the western and
northern sides of Lake Magadi, where extra birds would have been located.
We believe that very few waders occur in the southern Kenyan rift away from
the above mentioned sites.

Having flooded much vegetation during the wet years 1977-78, the rift lakes
were receding quite quickly during late 1979-early 1980, leaving muddy edges
attractive to many wader species, and relatively accessible for counting. At
each site, as much as possible of the shoreline and other wetland habitat was
counted in the time available. However, where long stretches or large areas
of rather uniform habitat were involved, or where swamp made access particular-
ly difficult, representative sections were often counted, and numbers multi-
plied up appropriately to obtain the best total estimates. A complete survey
of the shores of Lake Baringo was made possible by use of a small boat, and
the whole shore of Lake Bogoria was counted, much of it from a vehicle. The
lakeshores further south were worked mainly on foot. Approximate percentages
of shoreline actually counted were: at Nakuru 70 per cent, at Elmenteita 40
per cent, and at Naivasha 30 per cent. The wader areas east and south of Lake
Magadi were completely surveyed, but estimates at Ewaso Nyiro were inevitably
based on numbers recorded along about 3km of the margin of the swamp area.
The potential swamp site near Mogotio, which had contained several hundred
waders early in 1979, was completely dry early in 1980.

At the time of the count, the main features of the seven productive sites

Scopus 4: 59-63, September 1980

60 Palaearctic wader survey

were as follows:

Lake Baringo: productive areas at this freshwater lake were
confined to the western and southern shores, where flat areas of open mud had
been exposed by a rapid fall in water level. Although much of this was already
very hard in January 1980, a narrow lake edge fringe was suitable for most
wader species. The rocky northern and eastern shores accomodated very few birds.

Lake Bogoria: a drop in the level of this soda lake had
exposed a shoreline largely of gravel and stones. An area of mud at the north-
east corner, and several shallow muddy pools parallel to the western shore
were particularly rich in wading species. Numbers were lowest along the steeper,
rockier eastern shore.

Lake Nakuru: the soda lake had receded from flooded grassland
on its western and southeastern shores, leaving muddy edges up to over 100m
wide in places, which accounted for most of the waders. Birds also abounded
along the northern shore, where flooded bushes and woodland undergrowth were
still wet and swampy. A wide belt of wet sedge Cyperus laevigatus along the
eastern border of the lake contained a few shallow pools, and more waders, but
the more steeply shelving southwest corner was unproductive.

Lake Elmenteita: although of similar alkalinity to Nakuru,
this small lake with its more rocky, steeply shelving shores accounted for
fewer waders. Mud flats and flooded sedge with a few shallow pools and creeks
were confined to the western side and the northeast corner.

Lake Magadi: most of the lake consisted, as usual in mid-
winter, of dry soda-encrusted mud, lacking in birds. The soda springs at the
southwest edge of the lake (the Bird Rock area) and at the southern extremity
provide an environment which varies little, and where hard wet mud, clay and
gravel-bottomed streams and adjacent shallow muddy lake borders are highly
attractive to waders. The soda pans near the township, which at times provide
extensive additional areas of muddy edge, were flooded and accomodated few
birds at the time of the survey.

Lake Naivasha: the gently shelving northern and eastern shores
of this freshwater lake had receded from the bordering grassland and patches
of reed, to expose a narrow edge, with emerging spits and mudbanks, small creeks
and pools and patches of bush killed by the flood. These areas accounted for
the majority of the waders. Oloiden Bay was also bordered by mud, but the lake
edge here was covered by floating Salvinia. Few waders were found on the
western and northwestern shores, where extensive papyrus bordered deeper water,
or on rocky parts of the southern shore.

The Ewaso Nyiro swamps: the extensive area of reeds and the
bordering grasslands are at times inundated with fresh water, but at others
practically dry. Early in 1980 water was confined to swampy pools in and
along the margins of the reedbeds. Wader numbers were relatively low, and far
less than at the same time in 1979.

RESULTS
Numbers estimated at the seven productive sites are given in Table 1. Over
15000 waders were located in all, including approximately 6000 Ruffs and
6000 Little Stints. Some of the differences in relative species abundance from
site to site confirmed impressions already gained by the authors and others
in earlier years. Thus, low numbers of Ruffs and Marsh Sandpipers, and relat-
ively high numbers of Greenshanks Tringa nebularia are typical of the open,
very alkaline spring areas of Magadi, whilst Curlew Sandpipers Calidris ferru-

ia

Palaearctic wader survey 61

ginea and Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula are generally noted as being
well represented on muddy, freshwater margins at Naivasha. Early in 1980,
Ruffs and Marsh Sandpipers were particularly numerous at Naivasha, Nakuru and
Bogoria, where they favoured muddy shores and pools. Wood Sandpipers Tringa
glareola, on the other hand, preferred swamp and sedge, and were common only
at Lake Baringo, on the northern and eastern shores of Lake Nakuru, around
Lake Naivasha and at Ewaso Nyiro. Experience in previous years has shown that
surprisingly few Common Sandpipers Actitis hypoleucos winter in the rift
valley. The survey showed small numbers at the two freshwater lakes, Naivasha
and Baringo, but very few indeed elsewhere. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
were present in flooded grassland at Naivasha (where numbers may have been
considerably underestimated), in wet grassland and sedge on the east and
north sides of Lake Nakuru, and at Ewaso Nyiro. They were accompanied by about
equal numbers of African Snipe G. nigripennis at Naivasha, but not at Nakuru
or Ewaso Nyiru.

TABLE 1

Estimates of Palaearctic wader numbers at seven major sites in the
southern Kenyan rift valley, January 1980

Bar Bog Nak Elm Mag Nai Ewa Total
Ruff 30 850 2600 150 150 2000 200 5980
Little Stint 100 1000 2000 400 1400 1000 100 6000
Curlew Sandpiper 40 200 150 80 120 500 20 660
Marsh Sandpiper 35 50 190 30 a5 550 70 940
Wood Sandpiper 20 3 210 4 - 350 150 740
Greenshank ze 7 i3 6 30 25 5 100
Ringed Plover 30 20 45 20 1 200 - 320
Common Snipe 1-3 - 65 - - 150 20 240
Common Sandpiper 20 2 5 4 - 30 - 60
Spotted Redshank 4-7 0-11 4 - _ 15 (6) = 40
Little Ringed Plover 0-3 - a - - - 10 (7) 20
Black-tailed Godwit 3-7 3 - - 70 - 80
Temminck's Stint 1 1 2 - - £0, (43) 1 25
Grey Plover 0-1 - 2 - - - - 3
Green Sandpiper = = 5 = - - - 5
Terek Sandpiper - - 1 - =~ - = 1
Great Snipe = — = s - 1 - 1
Total 310 2140 5300 690 1720 4910 580 15 665

Notes: limits (e.g. 3-7) are given when different numbers were recorded on
different January dates
for some scarcer species, the actual numbers counted are given in brackets
individual lake totals are rounded to the nearest 10
individual species totals are rounded to the nearest 10, except in the
case of the five scarcest species

Some of the minor species recorded during the survey have been generally
regarded as scarce in East Africa, and therefore deserve comment. Thus, the
totals of about 20 Little Ringed Plovers Charadrius dubius located, and about
40 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, are of interest. The latter species has
been increasingly recorded in recent years as a regular winter visitor to
inland Kenya. The 70 Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa counted on the north
shore of Lake Naivasha on 6 January (slightly smaller numbers were subsequently
seen there to the end of March) appears to constitute the largest count of

62 Palaearctic wader survey

this species in East Africa south of Lake Turkana. Comparable numbers of god-
wits (maximum 56 Black-tailed and one Bar-tailed Limosa lapponica) were seen
at the same site early in 1977 (Meadows 1977). Temminck's Stints Calidris temm-
inckii were found at most sites, and the number counted at Naivasha, again
nearly all on the north shore, exceeded most recent East African figures for
the species. A Great Snipe Gallinago media on the north shore of Naivasha on

6 January was interesting since the few recent Kenyan records of this species
have mostly referred to passage birds. Finally, the two coastal species, Terek
Sandpiper Xenus cinereus and Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, deserve mention,
for such birds are rarely encountered inland during mid-winter except at Lake
Turkana. The Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus, of which only five were counted
(at Lake Nakuru) during the survey, is a widespread and not uncommon bird in
East Africa but it favours small muddy areas as distinct from the open shore
or large areas of swamp.

DISCUSSION
With changing water levels, the distribution of wintering waders between the
smaller rift valley lakes and swamps can certainly change markedly from year
to year, and there is probably considerable annual variation in the total
numbers of some species. The drying conditions produced particularly large
numbers of birds during 1979/80 at Nakuru and Naivasha, and overall rift
valley totals of, for example, Marsh Sandpipers and Curlew Sandpipers were
probably high. On the other hand, the loss of potential swamp areas, and the
limited availability of wet sedge and flooded grassland habitat certainly
resulted in lower overall numbers of Wood Sandpipers and Common Snipe than
during 1978/79. In order to establish average population figures, and to
examine further the effects of changing rainfall and habitat on numbers of
individual species, it would be desirable to repeat this rift valley survey
in future winters.

Because of the paucity of quantitative data on waders from other wetland
areas, it is not easy to assess the importance of the southern part of the
Kenyan rift valley within the context of East Africa. It is, however, possible
to make speculative comparisons with the four other areas in inland Kenya
where waders winter in substantial numbers, namely the shores of Lake Turkana,
the swamps and shores of the Lake Victoria basin, the lakes and dams of the
highlands on either side of the rift, and man-made sites in the Nairobi/Thika/
Athi River area.

Lake Turkana almost certainly supports the largest numbers of waders in
inland Kenya. In late December 1976, one of us (DJP) counted no fewer than
10500 Palaearctic waders (including 8000 Little Stints and 1000 Marsh Sand-
Pipers) along just 5km of the shore of Ferguson's Gulf, and at the time of
the survey of January 1980 B.S. Meadows (pers. comm.) counted over 3000 waders
along about 2km of the same shore together with the opposite spit. Although
this is a particularly rich area, and long rocky stretches of the lake shore-
line can only support a low density of birds, total wintering numbers at
Turkana probably exceed 50000, and may exceed 100000 (see also Fry, Britton &
Horne 1974, Hopson & Hopson i975). In Nyanza, swamps and lakeshore support a
variety of waders, but the principal Palaearctic species (Wood Sandpipers,
Common Sandpipers and Little Stints) are thinly distributed (see, for example,
Britton & Britton 1976); it is doubtful whether a total of more than a few
thousand birds is involved at most. The highland lakes and dams are utilized
mainly by Ruffs, Wood Sandpipers and Little Stints. Ruffs at least, winter in
substantial numbers, and DJP counted over 2000 in Uasin Gishu during January
1979. Lake Ol Bolossat is situated only a short distance east of the rift valley
lakes Bogoria, Solai and Nakuru, with which it probably exchanges birds. At
the end of December 1979 over 1000 Ruffs were recorded there, together with

inal ge

Palaearctic wader survey 63

several hundred Little Stints, a few tens of Wood Sandpipers and, amongst other
species, three Temminck's Stints.

With an increase in the number of algal stabilization ponds, the Nairobi area
has assumed a greater importance for waders in recent years; early in 1980 over
1000 waders (mainly Ruffs) were located here. Comparing the figures obtained
during the survey described herein with what is known of these other wetlands,
it is clear that the smaller rift valley lakes and swamps do accomodate an
appreciable percentage of all waders wintering in inland Kenya, and perhaps
over half of those occurring south of Lake Turkana.

REFERENCES
BRITTON, H.A. & BRITTON, P.L. 1976. Records section (Birds). EANHS Bulletin

1976: 52-61.

FRY, C.H., BRITTON, P.L. & HORNE, J.F.M. 1974. Lake Rudolf and the Palaearctic
exodus from East Africa. Ibis 116: 44-51.

HOPSON, A.J. & HOPSON, J. 1975. Preliminary notes on the birds of the Lake
Turkana area. Kitale, cyclostyled.

MEADOWS, B.S. 1977. Exceptional numbers of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa
wintering at Lake Naivasha during 1976/77. Scopus 1: 49-50.

D.J. Pearson, Department of Biochemistry, Box 30197, Nairobi and T. Stevenson,
Lake Baringo Lodge, Box 1375, Nakuru, Kenya

(Received 1 June 1980)

64 Lesser Golden Plover distribution

THE LESSER GOLDEN PLOVER PLUVIALIS DOMINICA IN NORTHEAST
AFRICA AND THE SOUTHERN RED SEA
TieiSi cahasn

The Lesser Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica is not generally recognized as a
non-breeding visitor to Africa (see, for example, The British Ornithologists'
Union 1971). Below, I review the existing evidence from the Sudan, Yemen,
Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya, to show that the species is an estab-
lished visitor to eastern Africa, where, in Somalia, it occurs in flocks
numbering over 100 birds.

SOMALIA

There are only six reliable records of Lesser Golden Plovers in Somalia spread
over 100 years up to 1978. Two early records of the Golden Plover Pluvialis
apricaria have led to much confusion, and if they ever existed at all should
probably have been referred to P. dominica. However, now they are no longer
acceptable as either species (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1941). The first of
these records is included in Oustalet (1882) and noted by Moltoni (1936) as
from "Somalia sett. Italiano?"; and the second is a record of P.dominica in
Peel (1900), stated, apparently erroneously, by Archer & Godman (1937) as
having been shot at Berbera (10°26'N, 45°02'E), and listed by them as P. apri-
carius on the basis of its white axillaries.

The first definite Lesser Golden Plovers from Somalia were overlooked by
Archer & Godman. A female was collected from a flock of about 12 at Berbera on
15 January 1897 (Phillips 1898), then Archer & Godman refer to a male shot at
Berbera lighthouse (10°25'N, 44°59'E) on 20 November and a female at El Sheikh
(10°28'N, 44°16'E), 94km to the west of Berbera, on 29 January, but the years
are not given. There is also a specimen in the National Museum, Nairobi,
collected by M.E.W. North at Bander Beila (9°29'N, 50°48'E) on 10 September
1944.

Later, Lynn-Allen (1952) records a bird from Mogadishu (2°02'N, 45°21'E) on
28-31 December (year not given, but probably 1950 or 1951), followed by two
"next year' on 2 March, of which one was collected by M.E.W. North on 3rd.

I saw an adult bird still in partial breeding plumage at Gezira (1°56'N,
45°11'E) about 12km southwest of Mogadishu feeding in a wet area round a well
within 500m of the seashore, on 4-6 September 1978. At a nearby tidal lagoon,
largely surrounded by a belt of mangroves, a flock of 107 Lesser Golden Plovers
was resting in shallow water on 24 February 1979; three weeks later on 15 March
there were 101 in the same place. Not one was seen at the lagoon on afternoon
visits on 7 January, 10 and 24 February, 20 March and 4 April.

Lesser Golden Plovers arrived again at the lagoon at Gezira in the following
winter, the first being seen on 22 and 23 October 1979, followed by 61 on 6
January 1980 (seen with J.E. Miskell and Dr C.C.H. Elliott) and 10 on 15 Jan-
uary (seen with J.E. Miskell and J. Haslam). After this, numbers increased to
at least 119 on 13 February and 138 on 20 March, then decreased to 105 on 1
April and 37 on my last visit on 9 April. Further south, on 29 September 1979,
J.E. Miskell and I saw an adult in partial breeding plumage on a dirt road
at 21km south of Marerei (0°25'N, 42°42'E) in a large flock of about 500
Ringed Plovers Charadrius hiaticula and about 500 Curlew Sandpipers Calidris
ferruginea. Such large numbers of Lesser Golden Plovers together would seem
to be unprecedented in East Africa. The birds at Gezira were apparently feed-
ing elsewhere and only came to the lagoon for water and rest. The closely
grazed dunes provide feeding areas for large numbers of plovers, of which the
Caspian Charadrius asiaticus is tthe most numerous, often in flocks of several

Scopus 4: 64-66, September 1980

Lesser Golden Plover distribution 65

hundreds. Other plover species found in this habitat in smaller numbers include
Spur-winged Vanellus spinosus, Crowned V.coronatus, Senegal V.lugubris, Grey
Pluvialis squatarola, Ringed Charadrius hiaticula, Little Ringed C. dubius,
Kittlitz's Sandplover C. pecuarius, White-fronted Sandplover C. marginatus,
Mongolian Sandplover C.mongolus and Great Sandplover C. leschenaultii. However,
the P. dominica always left the lagoon between 16:00 and 16:30hrs local time
and, rising high, flew off directly inland over high bush-covered dunes.

It was also interesting to notice at the lagoon that Grey and Lesser Golden
Plovers mostly remained apart. The latter kept together as a rather close
flock, with only one or two Grey Plovers joining them. Elsewhere on the lagoon
there were Grey Plovers in small scattered parties, totalling 100-150 birds.

ETHIOPIA
Most of the earlier records in Ethiopia are from coastal Eritrea (Hemprich &
Ehrenberg 1828-29, Kittenberger 1958, Madarasz 1915, Moltoni & Ruscone 1944,
Reichenow 1900-05, Smith 1955, 1957). These, taken together with his own
observations, led Smith (in Moreau 1972) to conclude that the species was not
uncommon in some winters from December to early May in Eritrea. I can add a
record for Eritrea of a flock of 38 which I saw at Assab (13°01'N, 42°43'E)
on 29 September 1974.

In inland Ethiopia, however, it is scarcer; I only saw it on four occasions,
and there is also one other record, as follows: Lake Koka (8°27'N, 39°06'E):
3 October 1970 (1), 18 December 1970 (3) and 15-17 November 1974 (2) (Tyler
1974). Lake Abiata (7°37'N, 38°39'E): 18 January 1976 (1). Lake Adele (9°25'N,
41°57'E): 24 October 1975 (1).

YEMEN

I saw three birds on the shore just to the south of Al Hodeida (14°45'N, 43°00'
E) on 31 December 1975. This seems to the only record of its occurrence in
Yemen.

DJIBOUTI

On my only visit to Djibouti (11°30'N, 43°03'E) I saw a flock of 21 Lesser
Golden Plovers on the shore at about 5km east of the town on 26 December 1975.
I have been unable to trace any other records.

KENYA

Plumb (1978) in summarizing Kenya records lists only eight occurrences, of
from 1-2 birds, all since 1961; and from countries to the south of Kenya, where
he classified the species as a vagrant, he traced ten occurrences.

SUDAN

According to Smith (in Moreau 1972) the species occurs "sparingly" on the
coast, while Cave & Macdonald (1955) are similarly vague, stating that records
are few but that it is possibly "not uncommon as a non-breeding visitor,
October to March, particularly in coastal districts".

SUMMARY
From the above, dated records range from 4 September (Somalia) to early May
(Ethiopia), with records in all months between. In Kenya, although few birds
are involved, it is now regarded as almost an annual visitor (Plumb 1978), and
this is almost certainly the case in Ethiopia and Somalia, where observers are
much scarcer than is P.dominica. In conclusion, it can be claimed that Lesser
Golden Plovers, presumably all of the race fulva, are regular winter visitors
to eastern Africa, with the largest numbers in the southern Red Sea, Gulf of
Aden area, and southern Somalia coast.

66 Lesser Golden Plover distribution

REFERENCES
ARCHER, G.F. & GODMAN, E.M. 1937. The birds of British Somaliland and the Gulf
of Aden. London: Gurney & Jackson.

CAVE, F.O.C. & MACDONALD, J.D. 1955. Birds of the Sudan. Edinburgh: Oliver &
Boyd.

HEMPRICH, F.G. & EHRENBERG, C.G. 1828-29. Symbolae physicae seu icones et
descriptiones avium. Berlin.

KITTENBERGER, K. 1958. My ornithological collecting expeditions in East-Africa
I. Aquila 65: 11-37.

LYNN-ALLEN, B.G. 1952. Some field notes on the birds of Mogadishu. Journal of
the East Africa Natural History Society 21: 57-66.

MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1941. Systematic notes on East African
birds. XXVIII. Ibis 85: 617-618.

MADARASZ, J.V. 1915. A contribution to the ornithology of Danakil-land. Annales
Historico-Naturales Musei Nationalis Hungarici 13: 277-300.

MOLTONI, E. 1936. Gli uccelli fino ad oggi notificati per la Somalia italiana.
Atti della societa italiano di Scienze Naturali 75: 307-389.

& RUSCONE, G.G. 1944. Gli uccelli dell'Africa. Milano.

OUSTALET, M.E. 1882. Note sur les oiseaux recueillis dans le pays Comalis par
M.G. Révoil: Mission G. Révoil aux pays Comalis. Paris.

PEEL, C.A.A. 1900. Somali-land; being an account of two expeditions into the
far interior. London: Robinson.

PHILLIPS, E.L. 1898. Narrative of a visit to Somali-land in 1897, with field
notes on the birds obtained during the expedition. Ibis 1898: 382-485.

PLUMB, W.J. 1978. The Lesser Golden Plover in Kenya. Scopus 2: 72-73.
REICHENOW, A. 1900-05. Die Végel Afrikas. 3 vols. Neudamm: Neumann.
SMITH, K.D. 1955. Recent records from Eritrea. Ibis 97: 65-80.

1957. An annotated check list of the birds of Eritrea. Ibis 99: i-
26, 307-337:

THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION. 1971. The status of birds in Britain and
Ireland. Oxford, London & Edinburgh: Blackwell Scientific Publications.

TYLER, L. & S.J. 1974. Migrants at Koka. Ethiopia Wildlife and Natural History
Society Newsletter 92: 5.
J.S. Ash, Division of Birds, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian
Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560 U.S.A.
(Received 26 July 1980)

Group dispersal in Hemprich's Hornbill 67

GROUP DISPERSAL IN HEMPRICH'S HORNBILL TOCKUS HEMPRICHII
Robert E. Hegner

Hemprich's Hornbill Tockus hemprichii is listed by Williams (1967) as being
found as far south as Lake Baringo in Kenya. From January 1977 to May 1979 I
lived in Lake Nakuru National Park (main entrance at 0°19'S, 35°05'E), and
during that time I repeatedly encountered groups of T. hemprichii at the
northern end of the Park, near the main entrance. Below, I present evidence
for group dispersal and a range extension for this species in Kenya.

I first noted the birds in February 1977, when at least three individuals
were moving through a group of Jacaranda ovalifolia trees surrounding my
house in the northeastern (Baharini) part of the Park. The trees are planted
on either side of a small grass and garden compound located at the base of a
small, rocky hill. Outside the compound, open grassland merges with bush and
wooded scrub vegetation running up the side of the hill. Although T. hemprichii
is easily identified, I took photographs of these birds, which were used later
to confirm my identification.

Birds were seen in groups (of at least 2) in 14 of the 15 sightings in
which I recorded group number. Mean group size was 4.9 + 0.3 birds (calculated
from the minimum number of birds sighted). Almost all birds were seen inside
the Park, but on three occasions I saw birds in Nakuru town itself, a little
less than 44 km to the west northwest of Baharini. I never observed these
birds further south than the Baharini area.

In the 26 months I lived in Nakuru, I sighted birds a total of 16 times.
These sightings were concentrated during two parts of the year (Table i).

TABLE 1
Sightings of Tockus hemprichii in the Nakuru area

Date No. of birds Location
Pes or: Feb 3+ Baharini
16 Aug 4
14 Sep ee a

-
: Lett Aug 12-13 fe
16 Sep 6 pa
18 Sep 3 3
20 Sep 4 *
23 Sep 14 “4
28 Sep 9 es
29 Sep 2+ Town
30 Sep 1+ Baharini
14 Oct 2 a
9 Nov 2 Town
ake Mar 2+ Baharini
19 Mar 3 "
3 Apr 4+ Town

The bulk of the sightings occurred during August and September, in both 1977
and 1978 , with a large influx of birds during the second half of September

Scopus 4: 67-68, September 1980

68 Group dispersal in Hemprich's Hornbill

1978. In this peak period, mean group size was 5.6 + 0.7 birds (range 1-4).
The second peak occurred from late February to early April, as shown by the
sightings in February 1977 and March/April 1979 (Table 1). While I have no
records of sightings during February to April 1978, it is possible that many
visiting birds were unrecorded. At that time, I was spending almost all my
time in the southern part of the Park, so I had little chance to observe any
hornbills.

In August 1977, I observed birds eating both large grasshoppers and chamel-
eons, which they captured in the jacaranda trees, but I generally did not
record food taken. Groups were very vocal, and certainly members of a group
were in visual and auditory contact at all times.

From these records I suggest two things of note. First, it now seems that
T. hemprichii is a regular visitor to Lake Nakuru National Park, certainly
during August/September, and probably also during February to April. It would
thus appear that its range can be extended south to the Nakuru area. Second,
since the birds I saw were at the edge of their range, it is likely that they
were dispersing birds. They visited Nakuru in groups, suggesting that the
species exhibits flocking behaviour during dispersal.

Kemp (1976b) reviewed the breeding records of African hornbills. In most
species, particularly those in the genus Tockus, breeding is correlated with
rainy seasons, presumably because more arthropods are available during the
rains. The three records of T. hemprichii nests (from Ethiopia) show that
females seal the nest (i.e begin to incubate) during March and April. In South
Africa, Tockus species young fledge about ten weeks after incubation begins
(Kemp 1976a,b).

In Nakuru, rainfall is distributed during two main times of the year, the
long rains from April to August (often drier in June and July), and the short
rains in November and December. If T. hemprichii breeds during both seasons,
young would fledge about the end of January and the end of June. The appear-
ance of the species in Nakuru occurred about four to eight weeks after these
dates, which seems a reasonable time to expect movements of these birds. It
thus seems likely that these movements represent post-breeding dispersal of
groups of Hemprich's Hornbills. Although I was unable to do so, it would be
interesting to determine the age and sex composition of these groups.

I wish to thank the Office of the President and the Ministry of Tourism
and Wildlife for permission to live and work in Lake Nakuru National Park.
G.R. Cunningham-van Someren, Head, Section of Ornithology, Division of Natural
Sciences, National Museums of Kenya, Kindly identified the birds from my
photographs. My work in Nakuru was supported by the U.S. National Science
Foundation.

REFERENCES
KEMP, A.C. 1976a. A study of the ecology, behaviour, and systematics of
Tockus hornbills. Transvaal Museum Memoir No. 20: 1-125.

1976b. Factors affecting the onset of breeding in African horn-
bills. Proceedings of the International Ornithological Congress 16: 248-257.

Robert E. Hegner, Field of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University,
Ithaca, New York 14853, U.S.A.

(Received 17 January 1980)

Short communications 69

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

FINFOOT EATING SNAKE On 27 April 1980 at the Hippo Pools in Nairobi National
Park, I watched a Finfoot Podica senegalensis feeding for about 20 min from
17:30hrs. In addition to insects on the water, it was seen to 'test' leaves
(and other floating vegetable matter) before discarding them. At one point the
bird struck sharply and caught a small green snake Philothamnus sp. about
50cm long. Holding the snake about 15cm behind the head, the Finfoot pro-
ceeded to rap the head fifteen to twenty times against a low-hanging branch
until the head hung limp. It then swallowed the snake head first and began to
hunt along the edge of the bank for other prey.

Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1957), Bannerman (1953), Clancey (1964), and others
give the food of the Finfoot as consisting of crabs, snails, prawns, shrimps,
millipedes, beetles, dragonflies, grasshoppers, fish, small frogs, and molluscs
but with no mention of snakes.

REFERENCES
BANNERMAN, D.A. 1953. The birds of West and equatorial Africa. Edinburgh &
London: Oliver & Boyd.

CLANCEY, P.A. 1964. The birds of Natal and Zululand. Edinburgh & London:
Oliver & Boyd.

John D. Gerhart, The Ford Foundation, Box 2344, Garden City, Cairo, Egypt
Scopus 4: 69, September 1980 Received 20 August 1980

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER CHARADRIUS DUBIUS AT LUANSHYA, ZAMBIA On 10 November
1979 at 10:40hrs I visited Makoma Sewage Ponds, Luanshya (13°07'S, 28°22'E)
just after heavy storms had passed over. Two Charadrius were standing in short
grass and, as I approached, both birds called, one giving the typical melodius
tooi of Ringed Plover C. hiaticula and the other a high-pitched peeu,
immediately recognizable as the call of the Little Ringed Plover C. dubius.
The birds flew up and circled together for some minutes, sometimes flying past
me only a few metres away. After landing briefly, they flew out and did not
return.

Light conditions were becoming good, with full sunlight at the ponds, and
I obtained very good views of the birds with x10 binoculars. Both birds were
adults and the Little Ringed Plover was easily identifiable by its smaller
size, lack of white wing-bar, head pattern (white line above the black mask
and frontal band), flesh-coloured legs and dark bill. Full details of the
sighting are on file at the Zoological Museum, Tring, England.

Although my observations lasted for no more than 10min, I am certain that
my identification was correct. I have seen the species on many occasions in
Britain, and the Luanshya bird's association with the Ringed Plover gave an
excellent opportunity to compare the two species.

The Little Ringed Plover has been recorded in East Africa south to central
Tanzania. In Kenya it is regular in small numbers, occurring mainly at in-
land localities (Backhurst, Britton & Mann 1973, and recent East African Bird
Reports published in Scopus), but in Uganda it appears to be scarce (Jackson
1938, D.J. Pearson and D.A. Turner pers. comm.). There have been no previous
records from Zambia but in view of its distribution in East Africa its
occurrence in Zambia is not unexpected.

REFERENCE

BACKHURST, G.C., BRITTON, 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. [Scopus 4: 69, September 1980

P.B. Taylor, Box 70415, Ndola, Zambia Received 10 April i980

70 Short communications

COMMON TERN STERNA HIRUNDO AT LUANSHYA, ZAMBIA At about 09:30hrs on 5 Oct-
ober 1979 I was watching waders at Makoma Sewage Ponds, Luanshya (13°07'S,
28°22'E) when a Common Tern Sterna hirundo flew in and began to dive for fish.
It was strikingly different in appearance and behaviour when compared with
several White-winged Black Terns Chlidonias leucopterus which were present.

I revisited the ponds at mid-day with R. Casalis de Pury and photographed

the tern. On 6 October C. Carter and I observed it at the same locality, and
it was last seen by me on the morning of 7 October.

The Common Tern was considetably larger than the White-winged Black Terns,
had long slender wings, a deeply forked tail and a heavier bill than the
smaller species. Features which identified it as S. hirundo were the upper-
wing pattern (dusky primaries, paler grey secondaries and coverts, broad
blackish band along the leading edge of the wing, white trailing edge to the
secondaries), underwing pattern (off-white with dark tips only to the primar-
ies, and translucent inner primaries forming a pale wedge at the bend of the
wing), the pale grey rump, greyish-white tail with darker colouring along the
outer feathers, red legs, and head pattern (white forehead and forecrown,
blackish hindcrown and nape). The flight was buoyant and graceful with deep
wingbeats. When not fishing at the ponds it roosted on a tree stump in open
water at the nearby Makoma Lake. A call was heard once, a single, long grating
keee-rrrr.

My observations were made with x10 binoculars in excellent conditions and at
times the bird approached to within a few metres. My experience of terns in
Europe and East Africa led me to conclude that the bird could only be Sterna
hirundo, and the other observers who saw the bird agree. Colour transparencies
and a description have been examined by P.J. Grant who confirms (in litt.)
that the bird was a Common Tern in first winter plumage, i.e. hatched in 1979.
The slides and a full description are on file at the Zoological Museum, Tring,
England.

The Common Tern winters on the coasts of Africa south to Cape Province, but
is only a vagrant inland (Moreau 1972). In East Africa it is known to occur
in flocks at the coast, mainly in December to April (Britton 1977). Inland,
one was ringed at Lake Nakuru, Kenya on 26 September 1970 (Backhurst, Britton
& Mann 1973) and a probable was at Lake Baringo in November 1978 (EANHS 1979).
There have been no previous records from Zambia but there is one published
record from Malawi of an exhausted bird picked up on 29 October 1975 (Benson
& Benson 1977). The same authors give a record of a possible Common Tern in
Malawi on 28 November 1974 but the published description is not sufficient to
identify the bird conclusively as this species. At the time of the appearance
of the Zambian bird, strong winds had occurred locally for several days and
it is possible that the bird was displaced from its normal migration route by
bad weather, as was suggested for the 1975 Malawi bird by Benson & Benson (op.
cit.), but weather conditions outside Zambia at the time of the sighting are
not known, and the tern did not appear at all exhausted when first seen.

REFERENCES

BACKHURST, G.C., BRITTON, 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.

BENSON, C.W. & BENSON, F.M. 1977. The birds of Malawi. Limbe: Montfort Press.

BRITTON, P.L. 1977. Status and identification of East African terns. Scopus
1: 29-34.

P.B. Taylor, Box 70415, Ndola, Zambia Received 14 April 1980
Scopus 4: 70, September 1980

Short communications 71

A CLARIFICATION OF THE STATUS OF THE RED-CHESTED CUCKOO CUCULUS SOLITARIUS IN
LOWLAND AREAS OF EAST AFRICA Howell, Msuya & Stuart (1980) documented the
first records of the Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius in coastal East
Africa north of about 10°S. Based on the distribution of plots in Snow (1978),
they concluded that there is no specimen from the coastal strip, and that it
"appears to be a highland species in East Africa’.

The statement in Britton (1980) that it visits coastal southeastern Tanzania
between October and April is supported by fifteen specimens from Mikindani;
three of these were detailed by Britton (1978), while Britton (in prep.)
provides details of a further six. In addition to records from most highland
areas of East Africa, there are published reports from various other localities
at low and medium elevations, including the Bwamba lowlands of western Uganda
at 700m (Friedmann & Williams 1971) and Tsavo East National Park in eastern
Kenya at about 600m (Lack, Leuthold & Smeenk 1980). It might be mainly a
seasonal visitor to these lowland areas, but it occurs in all months and prob-
ably breeds in the Siaya District of western Kenya at 1200-1500m (unpublished
pers. obs.).

Howell et al. (1980) regard the Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mont-
anus as a suitable analogue, being most typically montane yet recorded at sea-
level on occasion. In support of their argument they mentioned only the single
specimen from coastal Kenya detailed by Britton (1977). It is worthwhile
drawing attention to five specimens from coastal Tanzania at Mikindani (in the
extreme southeast) and Soga (near Dar es Salaam), as well as specimens from
various localities in the Uluguru Mountains as low as 400m (Britton 1978 and
in prep.). Britton & Zimmerman (1979) mentioned a freshly dead bird under a
power-line at Watamu (near Malindi) on 30 October 1978, but they omitted to
mention that it was extremely fat (and weighed 68.5g). Available evidence
Suggests that both of these cuckoos are only seasonal visitors to the coastal

BRITTON, P.L. 1977. A Kenya record of Cercococcyx montanus at sea-level.
Scopus 1: 23-24.

1978. The Andersen collection from Tanzania. Scopus 2: 77-85.

(ed.) 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS.

(in prep.) Notes on the Andersen collection and other specimens
from Tanzania housed in some West German museums.

& ZIMMERMAN, D.A. 1979. The avifauna of Sokoke Forest, Kenya.
Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum
169: 1-15.

FRIEDMANN, H. & WILLIAMS, J.G. 1971. The birds of the lowlands of Bwamba, Toro
Province, Uganda. Contributions in Science, Los Angeles 211: 1-70.

HOWELL, K.M., MSUYA, C.A. & STUART, S.N. 1980. The Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus
solitarius in coastal Tanzania. Scopus 4: 44.

LACK, P.C., LEUTHOLD, W. & SMEENK, C. 1980. Check-list of the birds of Tsavo
East National Park, Kenya. Journal of the East Africa Natural History
Society and National Museum 170: 1-25.

SNOW, D.W. (ed.) 1978. An atlas of speciation in African non-passerine birds.
London: British Museum (Nat. Hist.).

P.L. Britton, Box 90163, Mombasa Received 20 August 1980
Scopus 4: 71, September i980

72 Short communications

FURTHER OCCURRENCES OF RED-THROATED PIPITS ANTHUS CERVINUS AT NDOLA, ZAMBIA
Following the March 1979 record of a single Red-throated Pipit at Itawa swamps,
Ndola (Taylor 1979) I found this species at exactly the same locality in early
1980. My first sighting was of a single bird which flew in to feed with Yellow
Wagtails Motacilla flava at the margin of a shallow muddy pool in short-grassed
grazing land on 21 January 1980. This bird was seen subsequently by several
observers including C. Carter, who has seen this species in East Africa and

who confirms identification (pers. comm.). It was present to the end of January
and, on 1 February, was joined by a second Red-throated Pipit, which had

paler buff markings on the upperparts, this feature making it possible to
recognize either individual at close range. The two birds were seen subsequent-
ly by several observers and were present continuously until 6 March. I was able
to find only one on 8 March but was not able to approach close enough to
identify the individual. One flying off from the grassland with Yellow Wag-
tails at sunset on 14 March was my last record. Yellow Wagtails continued to
occur regularly in the area and even increased in numbers during late March,
suggesting augmentation by passage birds from further south.

During February the first bird began to show flecks of dark pink on the face,
and by the end of the month it was quite uniformly washed with this colour on
face and throat. The second bird remained quite pale in these areas but appeared
to become more strongly washed with pinky-buff than it had been when it first
arrived.

These records suggest that the Red-throated Pipit may not be merely a
vagrant to Zambia, as I had imagined after seeing the March 1979 bird (which
was present for only one day), but that it may winter regularly at Itawa,
where the habitat is eminently suitable. However, although I have visited the
area in question regularly since late 1974, I was not aware of the bird's
occurrence until March 1979. Its prolonged residence in 1980 may have been due
partly to the unusually dry conditions, but the records suggest that it may
winter regularly considerably further south in Africa than the limit of north-
ern Tanzania given by Moreau (1972). In the southern Kenya localities of Nai-
vasha, Nairobi and Tsavo West National Park numbers can vary quite widely from
year to year, even though apparently suitable habitat appears to be available
(G.C. Backhurst pers. comm.). This yearly variation, if real, would be more
apparent at the presumed southern extremity of the species' range and may
explain why I did not record it before March 1979 at Itawa.

REFERENCE

TAYLOR, P.B. 1979. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus at Ndola, Zambia. Scopus
32°80:

P.B. Taylor, Box 70415, Ndola, Zambia Received 14 April 1980

Scopus 4: 72, September 1980

LESLIE HILTON BROWN, O.B.E., Ph.D.

The OS-C expresses its deep regret at the untimely death of Dr Leslie
Brown on 6 August 1980. Dr Brown, a tireless ornithologist and prolific
writer, was working on the page-proofs of the first volume of The birds

of Africa the day he died; The breeding seasons of East African birds
was published on the same day and, sadly, Leslie never saw the finished
book; in less than two weeks he was to have been a Vice-Chairman of the
Fifth Pan-African Ornithological Congress in Lilongwe.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and son.

A full Obituary will appear in a later issue of Scopus.

Continued fromeinstde front cover

"References'; the name(s) of the author(s) and date(s) of publication should be
given in the text in the normal way. A list of the works concerned is given below.

Observers are asked to send in records of birds for inclusion in the annual
East African bird report issue. Records which appear in the Nattonal Museums of
Kenya Department of Ornithology Newsletter will be reviewed for the annual
report but, in the case of rare birds or birds showing an extension of range,
full details supporting the record should be submitted, whether the record is
sent to the Newsletter or Scopus - this will save correspondence later on.

All contributions should be sent to Dr D.J. Pearson, Department of Biochemistry,
University of Nairobi, Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya.

WORKS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE LISTED UNDER REFERENCES

FORBES-WATSON, A.D. 1971. Skeleton checklist of East African birds. Nairobi
(duplicated). = Forbes-Watson 1971.

HALL, B.P. & MOREAU, R.E. 1970. An atlas of spectation tn African Passerine birds.
London: British Museum (Nat. Hist.). = Hall & Moreau 1970.

JACKSON, F.J. 1938. The birds of Kenya Colony and the Uganda Protectorate. 3 vols.
London: Gurney & Jackson. = Jackson 1938

MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1957 & 1960. Afrtcan handbook of birds.
Series I, vols 1 & 2. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. 2nd Edition.
London: Longmans Green & Co. = Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1957 and/or 1960.

MOREAU, R.E. 1966. The bird faunas of Africa and its tslands. London: Academic
Press. = Moreau 1966.

1972. The Palaearctic-African bird migration systems. London:
Academic Press. = Moreau 1972.

WHITE, C.M.N. 1960. A check list of the Ethiopian Muscicapidae (Sylviinae) Part I
Oceastonal papers of the Nattonal Museums of Southern Rhodesia 3 (24B): 399-
430. = White 1960.

1961. A revtsed check list of African broadbills....etc. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1961.

1962a. A check list of the Ethiopian Muscicapidae (Sylviinae) Parts
II and III. Occastonal papers of the Nattonal Musewns of Southern Rhodesia
3 (26B): 653-738. = White 1962a.

1962b. A revised check ltst of African shrtkes....etc. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1962b.

1963. A revised check list of African flycatchers....etc. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1963.

1965. A revised check list of African Non-Passertne birds. Lusaka:
Government Printer. = White 1965.

WILLIAMS, J.G. 1967. A fteld guide to the Nattonal Parks of East Africa. London:
Collins. = Williams 1967.

1969. A field guide to the birds of East and Central Africa.
4th impression. London: Collins. = Williams 1969.

CONTENTS

A.W. DIAMOND and G.S. KEITH. Avifaunas of Kenya forest islands.
i — Mount -Ruiat 2S 5. Sas ee Se eee Se ee eee

SIMON N. STUART and TESSA A. van der WILLIGEN. Is Moreau's Sunbird
Nectarinia moreaui a hybrid species? .......+ee-.

D.J. PEARSON and T. STEVENSON. A survey of wintering Palaearctic waders

in the southern part of the Kenyan rift valley ......

J.S. ASH. The Lesser Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica in northeast
Afyvica and the Red:Seal 6s so. & % ue of tee ace ee eee

ROBERT E. HEGNER. Group dispersal in Hemprich's Hornbill Tockus
HEMPTICRIF coe be sl Ve NS SS. ees Sek ees ee ee eee

Short communications
JOHN D. GERHART. Finfoot eating snake ....: +++ 5 +s «=

P.B. TAYLOR. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius at
ibis epeersciiehicke Ss SG OG oo) 5 0 5b oF od 6 Oo o-oo 8 5 6 6

P.B. TAYLOR. Common Tern Sterna hirundo at Luanshya, Zambia

P.L. BRITTON. A clarification of the status of the Red-chested

Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius in lowland areas of East Africa

P.B. TAYLOR. Further occurrences of Red-throated Pipits
Anthus cervinus: at Ndollai, “Zambia = 7) =). = ei ee) ie) Seon

LESLIE HiLTON BROWN, OsBebie,) Pie erent ones eel o yn onten elimi Tee

Printed in Kenya by IAL, Box 19012, Nairobi

.

49

56

59

64

67

69

69

70

7

72

72

SCO ISSN 0250-4162

| MUS, COMP, ZOOL.
lo ? ©O LISRARY

APR 2 9 1981

SCOPUS

A quarterly ornithological publication
of the East Africa Natural History Society

Volume 4 (4) December 1980 15 shillings

MUS. COMP. Zool.
LIBRARY

APR 2 9198)

HARVARD
UNIVERSITY

Scopus 4 (4) December 1980

SCOPUS

THE AVIFAUNA OF MRIMA HILL, SOUTH KENYA COAST
Poteet econ, HaA. Bratton & M.A.C;. Coverdale

The sister hills of Mrima and Jombo, with summits only 7km apart, are im-
posing subconical landforms rising abruptly from the low-lying coastal plain,
some 65km southwest of Mombasa and only 10km from the Indian Ocean (Fig. 1).
Mrima (height 300m a.s.1.), and the far smaller Kiruku (190m) and Nguluku
(110m), are regarded by geologists as satellites of Jombo (470m). Mrima has
received considerable attentian from geologists since niobium, manganese and
Yare earth elements were found there in 1919, though the frequent attempts to
exploit these deposits commercially have not been successful (Nyambok 1980).
Noting both the endemism and the affinities of its forest flora, botanists
have recommended that Mrima be afforded National Park status (Hedberg & Hedberg
1968) . The geology of Jombo has been documented and discussed by Baker (1953),
Nyambok (1980) and others, but few plants have been collected (M.G. Gilbert,
pers. comm.). As far as we are aware, zoologists have totally neglected

both hills.

There seems to be general agreement amongst geologists that these two hills
(and the smaller satellites) arose from the same igneous activity during the
late Jurassic - mid Pliocene. Thus, they may be somewhat older than the other
alkaline intrusions of East Africa, including Mt Kenya (Baker 1953). Despite
this common origin, from the same magmatic source, Jombo is described by
geologists as an alkaline intrusion whereas Mrima is described as a carbonatite
intrusion. Gillett (1980) has drawn attention to the extraordinary endemism
of the flora of isolated forest patches in coastal Kenya, even when only a
short distance apart. With such different soils, it is likely that Jombo and
Mrima have significantly different forest flora. However, Moomaw (1960) lumps
the forest of the eastern (i.e. wettest) slopes of Jombo with the forest on
Mrima, regarding them as a particularly rich relict of the formerly extensive
lowland rain forest of the Kenya coast, and having a striking similarity to
the forests of the East Usambara Mountains, 70km to the southwest (in Tanzania).
Our own, admittedly superficial, observations support the view that these two
forests are structurally similar, and likely to hold similar bird communities,
despite the likelihood of substantial differences in the species composition
of their flora (and, consequently, of their invertebrate life). In the main,
Jombo's other slopes are bushed and wooded rather than forested, though the
Summit (above 350m) is apparently mainly forested.

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to these two important yet
neglected forest areas, potentially of great interest to biologists, and to
record our observations on the forest birds of Mrima. We do not feel able to
investigate the far less accessible forested slopes of Jombo, nor other south
coast forests such as Buda, Gongoni and Muhaka, but we hope that others with

Scopus 4: 73-78, December 1980

74 The avifauna of Mrima Hill

Kinango

SHIMBA HILLS”,

NATIONAL |

\RESERVE

Muhaka

Jadinig:?

Gongoni

Buda

Gy

sambweni

INDIAN

OCEAN

TANZANIA;

Fig. 1. Coastal forests (stippled) south of Mombasa, Kenya

sufficient time and resources pight be encouraged to do so in the future.
The Jombo-Mrima complex is in urgent need of a thorough survey of its flora
and fauna, in particular Mrima, where geological exploration is due to begin
again in January 1981. Any commercial exploitation of its minerals will
inevitably result in massive destruction of its flora and fauna.

The avifauna of Mrima Hill 75

TABLE 1

Species mist-netted at Mrima, Jadini and Shimoni, south Kenya coast.
Species marked with an asterisk were recorded but not caught.

Mrima Jadini Shimoni

Accipiter minullus Little Sparrowhawk 1 *
A. tachiro African Goshawk 1 * *
Turtur tympanistria Tambourine Dove 2 * *
Cercococcyx montanus Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo a 1
Apaloderma narina Narina's Trogon = * 1
Halcyon senegalensis Mangrove Kingfisher bd 1
Ispidina picta Pygmy Kingfisher 5 ce 3
Pogoniulus bilineatus Golden-rumped Tinkerbird * 1 *
Andropadus virens Little Greenbul 13 3 Z
Chlorocichla flaviventris Yellow-bellied Greenbul 2 i 4
Nicator chloris Nicator x 2 2
Phyllastrephus debilis Tiny Greenbul 15
P. fischeri Fischer's Greenbul 22 | 1
P. terrestris Brownbul 9 -
Cercotrichas quadrivirgata Eastern Bearded Scrub Robin = 2 5
Cossypha natalensis Red-capped Robin Chat 14 24 ig
Neocossyphus rufus Red-tailed Ant Thrush 2 a *
Pogonocichla stellata White-starred Forest Robin 4
Turdus fischeri Spotted Ground Thrush 2 3 1
T. gurneyi Orange Ground Thrush 2
Camaroptera brachyura Grey-backed Camaroptera 3 3 1
Muscicapa caerulescens Ashy Flycatcher = 2 be
Batis mixta Forest Batis 4 a 3
Erythrocercus holochlorus Little Yellow Flycatcher * 2
Terpsiphone viridis Paradise Flycatcher > 4 3
Trochocercus cyanomelas Crested Flycatcher 1 =
Anthreptes collaris Collared Sunbird * 2
A. reichenowi Plain-backed Sunbird 2 3
Nectarinia olivacea Olive Sunbird 13 6 5
Hypargos niveoguttatus Peters' Twinspot a id 4
Mandingoa nitidula Green-backed Twinspot 4 1
Total 124 69 55

THE AVIFAUNA
Birds netted in forest at Mrima (at about 260-280m a.s.1l.) during May-Septem-
ber 1980 are detailed in Table 1, together with samples of birds netted at two
other south coast forests (same months, same or different years). Each of the
three samples refers to 18m mist-nets set for approximately 400 net-hours,
and including four morning (from dawn) captures. Sight records from Mrima
are from similar altitudes during February-October 1980. Some sight records
are included in Table 1. Other species recorded in or over forest at Mrima
are:
Harrier Hawk Polyboroides radiatus, Ayres' Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus dubius,
Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus, Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus,
African Hobby Falco cuvieri, Kenya Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani,
Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba delegorguei, Green Pigeon Treron australis,
Fischer's Turaco Tauraco fischeri, Klaas' Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas,
African Wood Owl Ciccaba woodfordii, Mottled Swift Apus aequatorialis,

76 The avifauna of Mrima Hill

Bohm's Spinetail Neafrapus boehmi, Mottle-throated Spinetail Telacanthura,
ussheri, Green Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill
Bycanistes brevis, Trumpeter Hornbill B. bucinator, Crowned Hornbill Tockus
alboterminatus, Green Barbet Buccanodon olivaceum, Green Tinkerbird Pogon-
iulus simplex, Scaly-throated Honeyguide Indicator variegatus, Golden-
tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni, Little-spotted Woodpecker C. caill-
iautii, African Broadbill Smithornis capensis, African Golden Oriole
Oriolus auratus, Black Cuckoo Shrike Campephaga flava, Black-headed Apalis
Apalis melanocephala, Tropical Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus, Retz's Helmet
Shrike Prionops retzii, Chestnut-fronted Helmet Shrike P. scopifrons, Black-
bellied Glossy Starling Lamprotornis corruscus, Dark-backed Weaver Ploceus
bicolor.

Most of the 61 species recorded from forest at Mrima are wide-ranging in
Suitable habitat in coastal Kenya. It is worthwhile giving fuller details for
the following:

Falco cuvieri Once, 20 September. Hardly recorded in coastal Kenya.

Apus aequatorialis Once, 2 June, perhaps a wanderer. Known from the East
Usambaras, Tanzania, but not from Kenya east of Voi and Maungu.
Pogonocichla stellata Adults on 2 August (seen well), 3 August (netted);
very young spotted immatures netted on 2 August, 3 August and 20 September.
Following the racial arrangement of White (1962b), which differs from that
of Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1960), handled birds were referred to the race
orientalis, which is widespread in the highlands of eastern Tanzania north
to the Usambaras, but not previously recorded from Kenya. Other populations
in southeast Kenya are referred to helleri (Taita Hills and KaSigau as well
as the Pare Mountains and Lossogonoi in Tanzania) or the Chyulu Hills en-
demic macarthuri (Britton 1980). In East Africa this is a bird of highland
forest, typically above 1600m, but occurring below 1000m (at least
seasonally) in parts of eastern Tanzania.

Turdus gurneyi Adults netted on 2 June and 3 August, several birds singing
on 2 June (identified by R.A.M. McVicker), one seen well on 4 October.

This represents a remarkable extension of known range of the race otomitra,
otherwise known in Kenya from the Taita Hills, and a highland species
throughout its East African range, exceptionally as low as 1000m in the
atypical East Usambara Mountains (Britton 1980). It is noteworthy that

one of two T. fischeri netted at Mrima was caught in the same 50m line

of nets on the same morning as the second Tf. gurneyi. Weights (g) of these
two species were: gurneyi 48.2, 58; fischeri 57, 62.

DISCUSSION
Most of the 61 species recorded in or over forest at Mrima Hill are typical of
lowland rain forest in coastal Kenya. Sokoke Forest, 150km to the northeast,
is the only forest in coastal Kenya for which a complete list of bird species
is available (Britton & Zimmerman 1979), but samples of netted birds are
available for several other forests in coastal Kenya and eastern Tanzania.
Sorensen's Index of Similarity, ranging from 0 for two samples with no species
in common, to 1 for samples with all species in common (Southwood 1971), has
been calculated for samples from various forests (Table 2). These samples of
undergrowth and ground-stratum species suggest that the Mrima avifauna is
more similar to that of forested habitats at Sokoke than it is to the geo-
graphically closer forests at Shimoni, Jadini and Amani.

Moomaw (1960) describes the forests at Shimoni and Jadini as lowland Fi
forest on coral rag. The virtual absence of pycnonotids of the genus Phyll-
astrephus, so well represented at Mrima, is noteworthy. These coral rag
forests lack the thick and divérse undergrowth layer characteristic of lowland
rain forest in coastal Kenya, and indices of diversity are particularly low.

The avifauna of Mrima Hill 77

TABLE 2

Sorensen's Index of Similarity for samples of mist-netted birds from
various forests in coastal Kenya and eastern Tanzania.

M/Sh M/J M/S1 M/S2 M/S4
0.526 0.444 0.619 0.5417 0.622

M/As M/Af M/Pugu J/Sh
0.440 0.280 Oo: 35S 0.625

Notes: M = Mrima, J = Jadini, Sh = Shimoni
Si, S2 and S4 are Sokoke Forest habitats; data from Britton & Zimmerman
(1979) for their habitats 1, 2 and 4 respectively.
As and Af are data from Stuart & Hutton (1977) for Amani secondary
forest and Amani virgin forest, East Usambara Mountains.
Data from the Pugu Hills, coastal Tanzania, are from Stuart & van der
Willigen (1978).

Their avifaunas are similar (Tables 1 and 2). For this same Shimoni sample,
detailed in Table 1, Britton & Zimmerman (1979) calculated an index of diversity
of 0.863 (17 species), lower than for any other sample considered by them

(using index A of Britton 1978). The same index, for samples in Table i, gives
0.830 (15 species) for Jadini and 0.906 (21 species) for Mrima (cf. 0.915 -
0.921, 21 to 23 species, for forest habitats at Sokoke, on a scale of increasing
diversity from 0 to 1). The Amani samples in Table 2 are from the East Usambaras
at 900-1000m. No sample is available from lowland forest near Amani.

Good quantitative data are not available for the geographically close forests
of Buda, Gongoni, Muhaka and the Shimba Hills (Fig.1), though the data in
Britton (1972, 1980) show that the genus Phyllastrephus is well represented
in each of these south coast forests. It would be instructive to compare the
avifaunas of these various lowland rain forests south of Mombasa. The prelim-
inary list of woody plants in the Kenya coastal forests given by Hedberg &
Hedberg (1968) includes 63 species for Mrima, of which 9 are given for Sokoke
(out of 70) and 18 are given for the Shimba Hills (out of 126). The extra-
ordinary lack of species in common suggests that the forests at Mrima and the
geographically close lowland rain forests of the Shimba Hills have little
affinity, though Sorensen's Index of Similarity is 0.190 for the woody plants
of these two areas compared with 0.136 for Mrima/Sokoke. Hedberg & Hedberg
(1968) mention three distinct floristic elements at Mrima: species of the East
African coastal forests; a lowland forest element linked to that of the
Usambaras, the Ulugurus and Gazaland; and an endemic element.

The most noteworthy feature of the Mrima avifauna is the presence of the
two forest thrushes Pogonocichla stellata and Turdus gurneyi, both of which
are otherwise montane in East Africa. There is no reason to suppose that these
are transient populations involving wanderers, though they are presumably
derived from wanderers from one of the eastern highland blocks, most probably
the Usambara Mountains (East or West). Altitudinal movements are documented
for P. stellata in Zambia and Malawi (Benson, Brooke, Dowsett & Irwin 1971,
Benson & Benson 1977), but there is no evidence that T. gurneyi is other than
sedentary. However, Hall & Moreau (1970) remarked on the comparative lack of
subspeciation in T. gurneyi, and it was a similar lack of subspeciation in
East African populations of P. stellata south of 5°S (i.e. orientalis) which
led Britton (1980) to suggest that birds might wander (or migrate altitudinally)

78 The avifauna of Mrima Hill

in eastern Tanzania. In Africa as a whole, White (1962b) recognizes nine races
of P. stellata and six of T.gurneyi, yet he recognizes no subspeciation in
the populations of either species in much of the 'Tanganyika-Nyasa' highland
area. This lack of subspeciation in this large tract of eastern Africa, from
the Nyika Plateau in Zambia and Malawi north to the Usambaras (and beyond for
T. gurneyi), suggests that some populations are not sedentary, for there is
presumably gene-flow between these isolated highland blocks.

Along with other parts of the Ramisi Valley and the southern slopes of the
Shimba Hills, Mrima Hill receives the highest average rainfall in coastal
Kenya. Moomaw (1960) has remarked on the combination of fertile soil and high
precipitation at Mrima, which allows a rich form of lowland rain forest to
flourish, despite a pronounced dry season. Though lowland, Mrima has the
"feel' of a highland forest, quite different from the comparatively dry Sokoke
Forest. Until very recently, when land was cleared for settlement, the forest
on Mrima Hill was more or less contiguous with forests to the north and east,
remnants of which still survive in swampy parts of the Ramisi Valley. Evidently,
some typically highland bird species are able to flourish at Mrima, whereas
they have not apparently spread to forested parts of the coastal plain
surrounding the hill.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank M.G. Gilbert and Dr A. Lewis for references on botany
and geology, respectively.

REFERENCES
BAKER, B.H. 1953. The alkaline complex of Jombo. In Geology of the Mombasa-
Kwale area (ed. P.V. Caswell). Kenya Geological Survey Report 24: 32-48.

BENSON, C.W. & BENSON, F.M. 1977. The birds of Malawi. Limbe: Montfort Press.

, BROOKE, R.K., DOWSETT, R.J. & IRWIN, M.P.S. 1971. The birds of
Zambia. London: Collins.

BRITTON, P.L. 1972. Weights of African bulbuls (Pycnonotidae). Ostrich 43:23-42.

1978. Seasonality, diversity and density of birds of a papyrus
swamp in western Kenya. Ibis 120: 450-466.

(ed.) 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS.

& ZIMMERMAN, D.A. 1979. The avifauna of Sokoke Forest, Kenya.
Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum 169:
1-15.

GILLETT, J.B. 1980. The kayas or sacred forests of the Kenya coast. Why and
how they should be preserved. pp. 6, private circulation, 9 April 1980.

HEDBERG, I. & HEDBERG, O. (eds.) 1968. Conservation of vegetation in Africa
south of the Sahara. Acta Phytogeographica Suecica 54.

MOOMAW, J.C. 1960. A study of the plant ecology of the coast region of Kenya
Colony, British East Africa. Nairobi: Government Printer.

NYAMBOK, I.0. 1980. Petrology and geochemistry of the alkaline intrusion,
Jombo Hill, Kenya. Geological Magazine 117: 327-338.

SOUTHWOOD, J.R.E. 1971. Ecological methods. London: Chapman & Hall.

STUART, S.N. & HUTTON, J.M. (eds.) 1977. The avifauna of the East Usambara
Mountains, Tanzania. Cambridge, cyclostyled.

& van der WILLIGEN, T.A. Report on the Cambridge ecological
expedition to Tanzania 1978. Cambridge, cyclostyled.

P.L. & H.A. Britton, Box 90163 Mombasa & M.A.C. Coverdale, P.O. Ukunda
(Received 10 November 1980)

East African clutch data 79

4

EGGS FROM EAST AFRICA IN THE COLLECTION OF THE WESTERN
FOUNDATION OF VETEBRATE ZOOLOGY, CALIFORNIA
H.A. Britton

In February 1978, as the Nest Record Scheme Organizer of the East Africa
Natural History Society, I received photocopies of all East African egg set
data cards in the collection of the Western Foundation of Vetebrate Zoology,
California, U.S.A. These data, comprising over 1200 clutches, have been
mentioned in my last two annual reports (Scopus 1: 132-141, Scopus 2: 126-132).

Data are included for 168 species. Those from Tanzania or Uganda are indicated
by using 'T' or 'U' in parentheses; all others are from Kenya. Most eggs were
collected by Dr V.G.L. van Someren (VS) or Dr M.P.L. Fogden (F), and the com-
paratively few collected by others are indicated as miscellaneous (M).

Amongst these data there were various clutches already documented by Brown &
Britton (1980), being already published in earlier definitive literature or
otherwise made available for their study. These duplicated data, collected by
van Someren, Sir Frederick J. Jackson and Capt. C.R.S. Pitman, have been
excluded here, so that all data included may be regarded as additional to
those already documented elsewhere. In presenting these data, the format is
essentially that of my annual reports, with the emphasis on egg-laying dates
rather than clutch size. For all records marked VS or M the date given is the
date of collection, as the state of incubation was not noted; whereas for
records marked F the month given is for egg-laying, computed with regard to
the state of incubation.

Struthio camelus Ostrich: Talek River (Mara), 22 Sep 1953, 22 eggs, M.

Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe: Lake Naivasha, Oct 1918, VS.

Anhinga rufa Darter: Entebbe (U), Apr 1925, M.

Scopus umbretta Hamerkop: Lake Naivasha, no date, M.

Platalea alba African Spoonbill: Kisumu, Sep 1917, VS.

Anas undulata Yellow-billed Duck: Kikuyu, Jul 1937, VS.

Oxyura maccoa Maccoa Duck: Lake Nakuru, Mar 1918; Kikuyu, Jul 1937, VS.

Thalassornis leuconotus White-backed Duck: Kikuyu, Jul 1937, VS.

Sagittarius serpentarius Secretary Bird: Ngong, Sep 1941, VS. Molo, Jul 1959;
Wami Hills (Athi Plains), May 1940; Kenya (no locality), Jul 1941, M.

Neophron monachus Hooded Vulture: Ngong, Jun 1941, VS. Entebbe (U), no date;
NW Uganda (no locality), Feb 1938, M.

Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeyer: Loldaiga Hills (nr. Nanyuki), no date, M.

Circus ranivorus African Marsh Harrier: Kenya (no locality), 11 Jun 1939, M.

Polyboroides radiatus Harrier Hawk: Machakos, Feb 1939; Kenya (no locality),
Sep 1950, M.

Terathopius ecaudatus Bateleur: Karamoja (U), Dec 1955; Konza, Jun 1940, M.

Accipiter tachiro African Goshawk: Nairobi, Aug 1950; Nyeri, Sep 1950, M.

Aquila rapax Tawny Eagle: W of Ngong, Aug 1941, VS. Masai wheatlands (K), Jun
1943; Wami Hills, May 1940; Kijabe, Oct 1950; Konza, Jun 1939 and Jul 1940, M.

Aquila verreauxi Verreaux's Eagle: Lukenya, May 1944, M.

Aquila wahlbergi Wahlberg's Eagle: Mbarara (U), Sep 1944; Kenya (no locality),
Oct 1926; Machakos, Oct 1950, M.

Buteo augur Augur Buzzard: Jinja (U), Dec 1913; Nakuru, May 1916; Lumbwa, Jul
1922, VS. Konza, Jun 1939 (2), Oct 1939; Kijabe, Oct 1950; no locality, Sep
1950, M.

Buteo tachardus Mountain Buzzard: Kijabe, Oct 1940; Molo, Jul 1959, M.

Hieraaetus dubius Ayres' Hawk Eagle: Londiani, Jun 1949, M.

Melierax gabar Gabar Goshawk: Ngong, Oct 1941, VS. Konza, Dec 1939, M.

Scopus 4: 79-83, December 1980

80 East African clutch data

Melierax poliopterus Pale Chanting Goshawk: Machakos, Oct 1939, M.

Polemaetus bellicosus Martial Eagle: Garissa, May 1936, M.

Haliaeetus vocifer Fish Eagle: Lake Mobutu (U), Aug 1953; Lake Naivasha, Oct
1950 (egg addled, nest also contained % grown young), M.

Milvus migrans Black Kite: Limuru, May 1921; Ngong, May 1945, VS. Entebbe (U),
Mar 1939; Karamoja (U), Feb 1949; Kenya (no locality), Oct 1939; Kitale,
Sep 1950, M.

Chelictinia riocourii Swallow-tailed Kite: Northern Turkana, May 1944, M.

Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite: Longonot, May 1952, M.

Falco ardosiaceus Grey Kestrel: Mt Elgon (nr. Kitale), Mar 1952, M.

Falco cuvieri African Hobby: Uganda (no locality), Mar 1945, M.

Francolinus icterorhynchus Heuglin's Francolin: Chagwe (U), Mar 1912, VS.

Numida meleagris Helmeted Guineafowl: nr. Nairobi, Mar 1922, VS. Tabora (T),
Apr 1900, M.

Limnocorax flavirostra Black Crake: Mwanza (T), Apr 1947, M.

Eupodotis hartlaubi Hartlaub's Bustard: Athi Plains, May 1937; Hola, Jan
1972, M. :

Eupodotis melanogaster Black-bellied Bustard: Wami Hills, Jun 1940, M.

Actophilornis africanus Jacana: Kisumu, May 1942; Jinja (U), Aug 1920 (2), VS.

Charadrius pallidus Chestnut-banded Sandplover: Lake Magadi, Jul 1917, May
1942, dl. 1942.) (S). vs.

Charadrius pecuarius Kittlitz's Sandplover: Lake Turkana, Apr 1934, VS.
Chambura GR (U), May (8), Aug (2), Sep 1970, F.

Vanellus armatus Blacksmith Plover: Lake Magadi, Jul 1941, VS.

Vanellus coronatus Crowned Plover: nr. Nairobi, Jul 1941 (3), VS. Athi Plains,
Mar 1936; ne. Nijoro,, oul) 19745 Me

Vanellus melanopterus Black-winged Plover: Nakuru, Jan 1941, VS.

Vanellus senegallus Wattled Plover: West Nile (U), Apr 1949, M.

Vanellus spinosus Spur-winged Plover: Jinja (U), Jul 1921, VS. Chambura GR,
May 1970, F.

Burhinus capensis Spotted Thicknee: Subukia, Jun 1935, VS. Mumandu, 1936, M.

Burhinus vermiculatus Water Thicknee: Jinja (U), Jun 1918, VS. Mombasa, 1938,
M. Chambura GR (U), Aug, Sep 1970, F.

Cursorius cursor Cream-coltoured Courser: Lokitaung (Turkana), Aug 1944, M.

Cursorius temminckii Temminck's Courser: Tum (northern Kenya), Mar 1922, VS.

Rhynchops flavirostris African Skimmer: Lake Turkana, Apr 1937, VS.

Pterocles gutturalis Yellow-throated Sandgrouse: Olduvai (T), Jul 1935 (3), M.

Pterocles lichtensteinii Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse: Olgerei River (? = Oleya-
pare River), Apr 1917, VS.

Streptopelia capicola Ring-necked Dove: Kima, Jun 1946, M. Chambura GR (U),
May 1970; Kigezi GR (U), Aug 1971, F.

Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove: Kibwezi, Dec 1967, M. Chambura GR (U),
Mar, Apr, Aug (3), Sep (2) 1970 and May, Sep 1971; Kigezi GR (U), Sep 1970,F.

Treron waalia Bruce's Green Pigeon:, Nile Province (U), May 1909, M.

Chrysococcyx caprius Didric Cuckoo: Kigezi GR (U), May 1970 (host Ploceus
nigerrimus Vieillot's Black Weaver); Rwenzori NP (U), Mar 1970 (laid by bird
which flew into laboratory and was caught by hand), F.

Chrysococcyx klaas Klaas' Cuckoo: West of Nairobi, May 1941 (host Nectarinia
venusta Variable Sunbird), VS.

Clamator glandarius Great Spotted Cuckoo: Wami Hills, Oct 1939 (host Corvus
albus Pied Crow), M.

Clamator jacobinus Black and White Cuckoo: Konza, no date (host Pycnonotus
barbatus Common Bulbul), M.

Centropus superciliosus White-browed Coucal: Chambura GR (U), Sep, Nov 1970
and Sep 1971, F.

Bubo lacteus Verreaux's Eagle Owl: Konza, Jun 1935, M.

East African clutch data 81

Otus scops Scops Owl: Chagwe (U), Feb 1912, VS.

Caprimulgus clarus Slender-tailed Nightjar: Nakuru, Jul 1947, VS.

Apus affinis Little Swift: Lake Edward (U), Aug 1970, F.

Apus caffer White-rumped Swift: Nairobi, May 1919, VS.

Apus niansae Nyanza Swift: Nakuru, May 1917, VS.

Colius striatus Speckled Mousebird: Chambura GR (U), Apr (2), Sep (3) 1970 and
May (4), Aug 1971; Kigezi GR (U), Sep 1970 and Aug (2) 1971, F.

Urocolius macrourus Blue-naped Mousebird: Chambura GR (U), Mar, Aug, Sep (2)
1970 and May (3), Aug, Sep (2) 1971, F.

Ispidina picta Pygmy Kingfisher: Kigezi GR (U), Sep 1970, F.

Campethera abingoni Golden-tailed Woodpecker: Diani (Kenya coast), Dec 1945, VS.

Mirafra africana Rufous-naped Lark: Kigezi GR (U), Sep 1970, F.

Mirafra rufocinnamomea Flappet Lark: Chambura GR (U), Sep 1971, F.

Hirundo abyssinica Striped Swallow: Ngong, Jun 1941; Kisumu, Jun 1912 (2), VS.

Hirundo daurica Red-rumped Swallow: Murang'a, May 1916; Kiambu, May 1921, VS.

Hirundo griseopyga Grey-rumped Swallow: Kiambu, Jun 1916, VS.

Hirundo semirufa Rufous-chested Swallow: Chambura GR (U), May 1971, F.

Riparia paludicola African Sand Martin: Nairobi, May 1916, VS.

Dicrurus adsimilis Drongo: Konza, no date, M.

Corvus albicollis White-necked Raven: Machakos, Oct 1939, M.

Corvus albus Pied Crow: Machakos, Oct 1944, VS. Wami Hills, Oct 1939, M.

Turdoides jardineii Arrow-marked Babbler: Chambura GR (U), Aug (3), Sep (2),
Oct 1970 and Mar, May (2) 1971, F.

Turdoides melanops Black-lored Babbler: Naivasha, 2 Jul 1915 (also egg of
cuckoo, ?Cuculus solitarius), and May 1928; Busoga (U), Apr 1912, VS.

Turdoides plebejus Brown Babbler: Kisumu, May 1918, VS.

Turdoides rubiginosus Rufous Chatterer: Tsavo, Apr 1921, VS.

Andropadus tephrolaemus Mountain Greenbul: Rwenzori Mts (U), Oct 1970, F.

Phyllastrephus placidus Olive Mountain Greenbul: Ngong, May 1941, Jun 1942,
Jul 1943, VS.

Pycnonotus barbatus Common Bulbul: Kiambu, Jul 1918, May 1919, Jun 1925; Ngong,
May 1944; Mombasa area, May 1917, Apr 1920 (2), VS. Konza, no date and Jun
1936, M. Chambura GR (U), May (2), Aug (3), Sep (5), Oct 1970 and Mar, Apr,
May (3) 1971, F.

Cercotrichas leucophrys White-browed Scrub Robin: Chambura GR (U), May
2O94,'*F.

Cossypha caffra Robin Chat: Kiambu, Apr 1922; Kabete, May 1932, VS.

Cossypha heuglini White-browed Robin Chat: Chambura GR (U), Aug (2), Sep (2)
1970 and Mar, May (2), Aug (2), Sep 1971, F.

Cossypha niveicapilla Snowy-headed Robin Chat: Chambura GR (U), Sep 1971, F.

Oenanthe lugens Mourning Wheatear: Kikuyu Escarpment, Apr 1942, VS.

Turdus pelios African Thrush: Chagwe (U), May 1922, VS. Chambura GR (U),

Sep 1970, F.

Acrocephalus gracilirostris Lesser Swamp Warbler: Jinja (U), Apr ?, VS.

Apalis cinerea Grey Apalis: Ngong, Apr 1942, VS.

Apalis pulchra Black-collared Apalis: Ngong, May 1944, VS.

Bradypterus baboecala Little Rush Warbler: Kigezi GR (U), Aug, Sep 1970, F.

Camaroptera brachyura Grey-backed Camaroptera: Chambura GR (U), Mar, Apr
1970, F.

Cisticola brunnescens Pectoral-patch Cisticola: Ngong, Jun (2) 1935, VS.

Cisticola cantans Singing Cisticola: Nairobi, Apr 1913; Kiambu, Jun 1917,
May (2), Jun 1920, May 1921 and Jun 1936, VS.

Cisticola carruthersi Carruthers' Cisticola: Kisumu, Jul 1913, VS.

Cisticola chiniana Rattling Cisticola: Athi River, May (2) 1946; Sultan Hamud,
May 1941, VS.

Cisticola galactotes Winding Cisticola: Chambura GR (U), May 1970; Kigezi GR

82 East African clutch data

(U) , May, Aug, Sep’ (2), Oct 1970, F.
Cisticola juncidis Zitting Cisticola: Chambura GR (U), Aug, Sep (2) 1970, F.
Cisticola natalensis Croaking Cisticola: Chambura GR (U), Oct 1970, F.
Cisticola woosnami Trilling Cisticola: Chambura GR (U), Sep 1971, F.
Eminia lepida Grey-capped Warbler: Chambura GR (U), Aug, Sep 1970 and Apr,
Sep 1971, F.
Prinia subflava Tawny-flanked Prinia: near Nairobi, Apr 1920, May 1922, Mar
1941, Apr 1942, VS. Kigezi GR (U), Apr, May 1970; Chambura GR (U), Oct
1970). &:
Sylvietta brachyura Northern Crombec: Chambura GR (U), Jun, Sep 1970, F.
Sylvietta leucophrys White-browed Crombec: Ngong, Jul 1943, VS.
Melaenornis chocolatina White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher: Ngong, Apr 1943, VS.
Melaenornis edolioides Black Flycatcher: Chambura GR (U), May 1971, F.
Muscicapa aquatica Swamp Flycatcher: Chambura GR (U), Nov 1970, F.
Platysteira cyanea Wattle-eye: Chambura GR (U), Aug 1971, F.
Terpsiphone viridis Paradise Flycatcher: Chagwe (U), May 1912, Jun 1916, VS.
Macronyx croceus Yellow-throated Longclaw: Chambura GR (U), Sep (2), Oct 1970,F.
Dryoscopus cubla Black-backed Puffback: Diani (Kenya coast), Dec 1945, M.
Laniarius barbarus Black-headed Gonolek: Chambura GR (U), Apr, May, Sep, Oct
1970 and May (2), Auge(2)) 1971) be
Laniarius ferrugineus Tropical Boubou: Chambura GR (U), Sep 1971, F.
Laniarius funebris Slate-coloured Boubou: Konza, May 1940, M.
Tchagra australis Brown-headed Tchagra: Ngong, Apr 1944, VS. Chambura GR (U),
Sep 1971, F.
Tchagra senegala Black-headed Tchagra: Ngong, May 1947, VS. Mumandu, Apr 1942,
M. Chambura GR (U), Aug 1970, F.
Lanius cabanisi Long-tailed Fiscal: Mumandu, Jun 1940, M.
Lanius collaris Fiscal: Mumandu, May (2) 1940, M.
Eurocephalus rueppelli White-crowned Shrike: Mumandu, Apr 1942, M.
Lamprotornis chalybaeus Blue-eared Glossy Starling: Samburu (SE Kenya), Jun
Spreo superbus Superb Starling: Kiu (Machakos), Apr 1922, VS [192A AVS.
Anthreptes collaris Collared Sunbird: Kiambu, Apr 1916, May 1920; Nairobi,
Mar 1914, May 1916, VS.
Nectarinia bifasciata Little Purple-banded Sunbird: Chambura GR (U), Aug (2),
Sep (4) 1970, F.
Nectarinia cuprea Copper Sunbird: Chambura GR (U), Sep (3), Oct, Nov 1970, F.
Nectarinia erythroceria Red-chested Sunbird: Chambura GR (U), Mar, May (2),
Aug (2), Sep (18) ;, Octe (5), Nov (2) 9a9707, 0 r=
Nectarinia mariquensis Mariqua Sunbird: Chambura GR (U), Aug, Sep 1970, F.
Nectarinia purpureiventris Purple-breasted Sunbird: Rwenzori Mts (U), Oct,
Nov 1970, F.
Nectarinia regia Regal Sunbird: Rwenzori Mts (U), Oct 1970, F.
Nectarinia reichenowi Golden-winged Sunbird: Nakuru, Jan 1913, VS.
Nectarinia senegalensis Scarlet-chested Sunbird: Chambura GR (U), Sep 1970, F.
Nectarinia venusta Variable Sunbird: Kiambu, Jun 1915, Jun 1916, Jul 1917, VS.
Zosterops poliogastra Montane White-eye: Ngong, Apr 1941, VS.
Amblyospiza albifrons Grosbeak Weaver: Fort Ternan, Jul 1912 (2); Mt Elgon,
May 1917 (4); Nairobi, May 1918, VS. Chambura GR (U), Oct 1970; Kigezi
GE (0); Apr 19707 =f
Euplectes ardens Red-naped Widowbird: Kiambu, May 1915 (3), Apr 1916, VS.
Euplectes axillaris Fan-tailed Widowbird: Kigezi GR (U), Oct 1970, F.
Euplectes capensis Yellow Bishop: Machakos, Feb 1944; Kiambu, Apr 1923, VS.
Euplectes orix Southern Red Bishop: Kigezi GR (U), Apr (5), May (5) 1970, F.
Ploceus alienus Strange Weaver: Rwenzori Mts (U), Jun, Oct 1970, F.
Ploceus baglafecht Baglafecht Weaver: race reichenowi, Murang'a, May 1916 (3);
Kiambu, May 1924; Nairobi, Apr 1918, Mar 1937, VS. Race stuhlmanni, Chambura
GR (U), Aug 1970, May 1971, F.

East African clutch data 83

Ploceus castanops Northern Brown-throated Weaver: Kigezi GR (U), Mar, Apr, May
(3), Aug, Sep (5) 1970 and Aug 1971; Chambura GR (U), Aug, Sep (9), Oct (2)
1970, F.

Ploceus cucullatus Black-headed Weaver: Nairobi, Apr 1916 (3), VS. Chambura
GR (U), Sep 1970 (12 clutches from one colony), F.

Ploceus intermedius Masked Weaver: near Kilifi, Apr 1919, VS. Chambura GR (U),
Apr (2), May, Aug (3), Sep (9) 1970, F.

Ploceus jacksoni Golden-backed Weaver: Kenya (Kamgole Swamp, untraced), Jul
1949 (2), VS.

Ploceus melanocephalus Yellow-backed Weaver: Kisumu, May 1912, VS. Chambura GR
(U), Mar, Apr (6), May (14), Aug (3), Sep 1970; Kigezi GR (U), Sep (3) 1970,F.

Ploceus nigerrimus Vieillot's Black Weaver: Chagwe (U), Apr (2), May (2) 1912,
VS. Chambura GR (U), Sep 1970; Kigezi GR (U), Apr (12), May (7), Sep (3)
1970, F.

Ploceus nigricollis Black-necked Weaver: Kigezi GR (U), Apr (6), May (24),

Sep (5), Oct 1970, F.

Ploceus ocularis Spectacled Weaver: Chambura GR (U), Mar (2), Apr (3), May (4),
gun, Aug (5), Sep (3) 1970, F.

Ploceus pelzelni Slender-billed Weaver: Chambura GR (U), Mar (2), Apr (5), May,
Aug (2), Sep (3), Oct (3) 1970; Kigezi GR (U), Apr (4), May (3) 1970, F.

Ploceus xanthops Holub's Golden Weaver: Chambura GR (U), Sep (7), Oct (10)
1970; Kigezi GR (U), Apr (3), Aug (2), Sep (4), Oct 1970, F.

Passer motitensis Rufous Sparrow: Nairobi, Jun 1941, M.

Sporopipes frontalis Speckle-fronted Weaver: Ishiara (Embu), Jul 1941, M.

Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Whydah: Kigezi GR (U), Apr 1970 (host Estrilda
paludicola Fawn-breasted Waxbill), F.

Estrilda paludicola Fawn-breasted Waxbill: Kigezi GR (U), Apr 1970 (parasitized
by Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Whydah), F.

Pytilia melba Green-winged Pytilia: Chambura GR (U), Apr, May 1970 and May (6),
Jun 1971, F.

Amadina faciata Cut-throat: Ngong Escarpment, Jul 1941; Magadi, Jul 1941
(3), Vs.

Lonchura bicolor Black and White Mannikin: Nairobi, Mar (2) 1915, VS. Kigezi
GR (U), Oct 1970, F.

Lonchura cucullata Bronze Mannikin: Chambura GR (U), May, Sep (2), Oct 1970;
Kigezi GR (U), May 1970; Toro (U), Apr i970, F.

Lonchura malabarica Silver-bill: Magadi, Jul (4), Aug 1941, VS.

Emberiza flaviventris Golden-breasted Bunting: Ngong, Apr 1937, VS.

Chambura GR (U), Aug, Sep, Oct 1970 and May 1971, F.

Serinus atrogularis Yellow-rumped Seed-eater: Kiambu, Jun 1917, May 1918,
Jun 1922, VS.

Serinus burtoni Thick-billed Seed-eater: near Nairobi, May 1933, VS.

Serinus mozambicus Yellow-fronted Canary: Chambura GR (U), Aug 1970 and Aug
Zt, ©.

Serinus striolatus Streaky Seed-eater: Kiambu, Jun 1919, Jun 1921 (2), Jun
1922, VS.

Serinus sulphuratus Brimstone Canary: Chambura GR (U), May, Jul 1971, F.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
On behalf of the East Africa Natural History Society Executive Committee I
would like to thank Dr Lloyd Kiff for going to considerable trouble and expense
in making these data available to us.

REFERENCE
BROWN, L.H. & BRITTON, P.L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds.
Nairobi: EANHS.
H.A. Britton, Box 90163, Mombasa
(Received 10 October 1980)

84 Migration timing in waders at the coast

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES OF PALAEARCTIC WADERS
ON THE KENYA COAST
D.wJ. Pearson \& «P.-L. Bratton

Visiting Palaearctic waders account for a considerable proportion of the birds
of the East African seashores in every month of the year. Harvey (1974) described
their occurrence in the Dar es Salaam area, giving details of numbers and
migration timing. However, apart from an account of a two-month study north of
Lamu (Fogden 1963) and the data given by Britton & Britton (1976) there are
few published details on the waders of the Kenya coast to add to the scanty
information provided in the standard reference works (e.g. Mackworth-Praed &
Grant 1957), whilst the recent summarized accounts of Britton (1980) are
necessarily brief. In his review of trans-African migration in coastal waders
Dowsett (1980) emphasized the need for further information from East Africa on
migration timing in these species.

This paper summarizes our observations on the arrival and departure, visible
passage and oversummering of the main waders species occurring on the Kenya
coast from Diani north to the Sabaki/Malindi area. PLB has been resident near
Mombasa since 1973, and made regular counts of waders during 1973-1975. DJP has
made frequent visits to the coast since 1975, chiefly to study wader numbers
and distribution.

OVERSUMMERING AND DISTINCTION OF AGE GROUPS
Twelve principal migrant wader species winter on the Kenya coast, using the
intertidal zone as their main feeding area. These are the Ringed Plover Char-
adrius hiaticula, the Great Sandplover C. leschenaultii, the Mongolian Sand-
plover C.mongolus, the Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, the Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos, the Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, the Greenshank Tringa
nebularia, the Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus, the Sanderling Calidris alba,
the Curlew Sandpiper C. ferruginea, the Little Stint C.minuta and the Turn-
stone Arenaria interpres. The Little Stint and the Common Sandpiper are prac-
tically absent during the northern breeding season, but the other species all
oversummer to a greater or lesser extent. Very few indeed of these oversummering
birds are in breeding plumage, and most are presumably one year old.

To assess meaningfully the timing of autumn arrival it is important to be
able to distinguish returning adults from oversummering yearlings, and also to
be able to identify birds in their first autumn. In most species, returning
breeders arrive with at least some trace of nuptial plumage, whereas over-
summering birds are typically in full 'winter-type' body plumage. Moreover,
many yearlings are already in advanced primary moult by August - early Sep-
tember, at a time when wing moult in adults has just started or has yet to do
so. The first year birds of most species are identifiable early in autumn by
distinctive juvenile plumages, but tend to replace these with adult-type
winter body plumages during October. Whereas, however, most adult waders are
in obvious primary moult during late September-November, first year birds then
exhibit a full set of fresh looking flight feathers. Using good binoculars,
characters such as the above provide a means of assessing the composition of
populations in the field during the period August - early November.

In spring, the adults of most species moult partially or completely into
distinctive summer body plumage before departure for their breeding grounds,
and thus become distinguishable from first year birds. Only in the Little
Stint, the Common Sandpiper, the Ringed Plover and, probably, the Terek Sand-
Piper (see Prater, Marchant & Vuorinen 1977) do first year birds typically

Scopus 4: 84-88, December 1980

Migration timing in waders at the coast 85

acquire a full summer plumage similiar to that of adults. In some species, con-
clusions on the migration timing of different age groups have been reinforced
by data on birds aged in the hand during regular ringing visits to Mida Creek
during 1978-1980.

OBSERVATIONS ON INDIVIDUAL SPECIES?’

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Winters in relatively small numbers, a few hundreds only, on sandflats and

coral. Very few individuals oversummer. This species remains scarce during

August, most adults arriving during September. It has not been possible to

identify the main period of first winter influx. Numbers decrease in spring
mainly during the second half of April, and few birds remain in early May.

Great Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii

Numbers a few thousands in winter, particularly favouring tidal and estuarine
sandflats in the Mida/Malindi area (e.g. over 500 frequently counted at Mida
Creek tidal gatherings). Birds in non-breeding plumage commonly oversummer,
with over 30 recorded during June-July at Malindi. Adults return quite early,
building up almost to winter numbers during August, when much southward
coasting of passage birds is evident. First year birds probably arrive mainly
from late September to October. One was caught at Mida on 23 September, and
mid-October catches there have involved a high proportion of young birds. It
seems likely that the first and second waves of birds recorded at Dar es Salaam
by Harvey (1974) would have represented the influx/passage of adults and first
year birds respectively.

The majority of adult birds acquire partial or even full breeding plumage
during late March and April. These brightly coloured birds depart mostly during
the second half of April. Only small numbers remain in May, and these typically
contain no breeding plumage birds by the middle of the month.

Mongolian Sandplover Charadrius mongolus

Occurs in thousands in winter on sandflats and coral. Small numbers of non-
breeders oversummer, most of which have begun wing moult by August. The main
adult arrival does not appear to be until September, later than in leschenaul-
tii. First year birds have been caught at Mida in late September, and frequently
during October. In spring, few adults acquire more than a trace of breeding
Plumage during April. Departure appears to be rather late, and some adults
remain into the first two weeks of May, when full breeding plumage is more
commonly seen.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Numbers well over a thousand birds in winter, and particularly favours the
estuarine sandflats of Mida Creek where counts of 400-600 birds are typical at
tidal gatherings. Many non-breeding plumaged birds - perhaps all of those in
their first summer - remain during May-July. The first adults, still in full

or partial summer body plumage, arrive back early in August, but the main adult
influx is during late August - early September. First year birds appear from
mid-September, but mainly from October. In spring, most adults acquire at

least partial summer body plumage before departing during the second half of
April; few remain into May.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Occurs in small numbers on coral, in mangroves and along mudddy creeks. Adult

+ Numbers refer to estimated abundance from Diani to Sabaki.

86 Migration timing in waders at the coast

arrival is typically from mid-July, with full winter numbers already back by
mid-August. Early autumn passage is, however, less marked than in the rift
valley and at other sites inland in Kenya (authors' pers. obs.). Spring depart-
ure occurs mainly late in April, and this species appears to be totally absent
during May - early July, first year birds as well as adults evidently migrat-
ing north.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Hundreds winter on mudflats and coral reefs. Many oversummer, and these birds,
probably yearlings, are typically well advanced in wing moult by August. Adults,
yet to begin wing moult, arrive mainly from about mid-August to mid-September,
and birds can be observed at this time passing south offshore. The spring
departure period is not easy to ascertain since summer and winter plumages

are identical, and so many non-breeding individuals remain. However, a decrease
in numbers at Mida seems to occur late in April, and birds have been recorded
that month passing northward overhead calling at night.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia

A bird of mudflats, creeks and coral shores, which winters in hindreds. This

is another species which remains in relatively large numbers throughout May -
July, when the birds involved begin their wing moult. Adults appear to return
mainly late in August, whilst birds in their first year have been netted at
Mida only from October. Spring counts at Mida suggest dwindling numbers through-
out April, with only oversummering birds present by early May.

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus

A bird of sandflats and coral reefs, which winters in many hundreds, with
counts of 100-150 typical at Mida Creek. A few birds oversummer. The main adult
arrival is during August - early September. Unworn, unmoulted birds, presumably
in their first year, have been caught at Mida from October onwards. To judge
from spring counts at Mida, adults depart northwards mainly during late April,
with only a few remaining to the first week of May.

Sanderling Calidris alba

One of the commoner wader species, occurring in thousands in all on tidal sand-
flats and sandy beaches. Small parties of non-breeding plumaged birds occur
from May to early August, numbers fluctuating locally from day to day. These
birds mostly begin wing moult about the end of June. Adults, with traces of
breeding plumage remaining on the upperparts, begin to reappear in mid-August,
and arrival and passage continues to at least mid-September. First year birds,
with dark juvenile feathering above, appear in small numbers later in September,
but arrive in force only in October. During April, adult birds again acquire
traces of breeding plumage above. Such birds have left the beaches by early
May, and the main spring departure appears to occur during the second half of
April.

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

Probably the most abundant caostal wader, wintering in thousands, on tidal
flats, muddy creeks and coral. Again, many non-breeding plumaged birds, perhaps
all those in their first year, remain during May to July. Adults, with at

least traces of breeding plumage, reappear on the creeks and beaches early in
August, with continued arrival and a marked passage of caosting birds through-
out that month and into September. Juvenile birds have been noted as early as

1 September, and are already common by the middle of the month. However, the
main influx of young birds appears to occur during October. In spring, adults
acquire partial and often full breeding plumage during late March - April.

Migration timing in waders at the coast 87

They depart mainly during the last ten days of April, and only a few remain to
early May. By mid-May, flocks consist entirely of non-breeding plumaged birds.

Little Stint Calidris minuta

Far less numerous on the coast than the Curlew Sandpiper, and more restricted
to mudflats, sheltered sandflats and lagoons. Very few birds occur during mid-
May - July. Aduit arrival takes place mainly during August, and probably early
September, whilst juvenile birds appear in increasing numbers during September
and become abundant by October. Young and adult birds acquire full breeding
plumage during March - April, and most depart late in April. Only a few birds
remain to early May, and practically none thereafter.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

Occurs in relatively small numbers, mainly on coral coasts and on sandy beaches
with accumulations of wrack. A few non-breeding plumaged birds oversummer,
beginning their wing moult about the end of June. Adults reappear at the end

of August and during September, whilst young birds arrive late in September

and in larger numbers during October. Adults acquire breeding plumage in spring
before departing, mainly late in April.

DISCUSSION
The main influx of adult Palaearctic waders on the Kenya coast occurs during
August and September, only a few weeks after their departure from northern
breeding grounds, as detailed, for example, by Dement'ev & Gladkov (1969).
Some species, such as the Curlew Sandpiper, the Little Stint and the Common
Sandpiper, appear earlier than others, and are already numerous by mid-August.
Adult Sanderlings, Turnstones and Grey Plovers arrive mainly from late August,
and Ringed Plovers and Mongolian Sandplovers not until September. It is not
easy to establish for how long the arrival of adult birds continues, but adults
appear to be up to, or even above, wintering numbers by the end of September,
whilst by October the great majority are in active wing moult. Many of the
adult waders present in early autumn are undoubtedly passage birds. Southward
coasting movements of small groups of birds are regular at this time. Earlier
in August, these movements involve mainly Curlew Sandpipers, but later in the
month, when they reach a peak, they include also many Sanderlings and Great
Sandplovers, as well as Terk Sandpipers, Grey Plovers, Whimbrel and Turnstones.

First year Curlew Sandpipers are already common by mid-September, but the
young of most species remain scarce until late September, and arrive in force
only during October. Harvey (1974) recorded peak numbers for several wader
species at Dar es Salaam during October. This is probably a time when the full
overwintering adult population is present, together with peak first year passage
numbers. Further counting would be required throughout the autumn to ascertain
the extent and timing of any such peaking on the Kenya coast, but first year
birds certainly tend to dominate flocks of the smaller wader species later in
October, and much passage of young birds clearly occurs then.

In spring there is little evidence of wader passage on the Kenya coast.
Diurnal coasting movements are not observed, nor do numbers appear to be any
higher during March or April than in mid-winter. Most birds from wintering
areas further south presumably cross Kenya or pass by offshore without stopping.
Local wintering populations appear to maintain full numbers up to early April,
but dwindle rapidly later that month. Only a few adult waders, mainly Curlew
Sandpipers, Little Stints and Mongolian Sandplovers linger until early May.

The timing of migration in Kenya coastal waders makes an interesting com-
parison with that of waders wintering inland, particularly on the rift valley
lakes, where recent ringing studies have provided much information. Arrival
times inland are similar to those on the coast. Thus, adults of such major

88 Migration timing in waders at the coast

species as the Little Stint, the Ruff Philomachus pugnax, the Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareola and the Curlew Sandpiper appear mainly during late August -
early September, and first year birds mainly from mid-September, October or
November. Spring departure, however, provides an interesting contrast, for
many adult female Ruffs remain until mid-May. Moreover, the main departure of
the large concentrations of overwintering Little Stints occurs over the first
three weeks of May, as does the main departure/passage of adult Curlew Sand-
pipers. These last two species, which winter commonly both on the coast and in
the rift, clearly adopt very different northward migration stategies in the
two areas. Departure is delayed until much later inland, so that gatherings of
hundreds of breeding plumaged birds are encountered regularly in the rift
during the third (and even fourth) week of May, some two to three weeks after
their virtual disappearance from the coast.

REFERENCES
BRITTON, H.A. & BRITTON, P.L. 1976. Records Section (Birds). EANHS Bulletin
19:76: 55-61"

BRITTON, P.L. (ed.) 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS.

DEMENT'EV, G.P. & GLADKOV, N.A. (eds.) 1969. Birds of the Soviet Union. Vol 3.
Jerusalem: Israel Program for Scientific Translations.

DOWSETT, R.J. 1980. The migration of coastal waders from the Palaearctic
across Africa. Le Gerfaut 70: 3-35.

FOGDEN, M.P.L. 1963. Early autumn migrants in coastal Kenya. Ibis 105: 112-113.

HARVEY, W.G. 1974. The occurrence of waders in the Dar es Salaam area of Tan-
zania. EANHS Bulletin 1974: 48-51, 66-69, 80-82, 90-92.

PRATER, A.J., MARCHANT, J.H. & VUORINEN, J. 1977. Guide to the identification
and ageing of Holarctic waders. Tring: British Trust for Ornithology.

D.J. Pearson, Department of Biochemistry, Box 30197, Nairobi and P.L. Britton,
Shimo-la-Tewa School, Box 90163, Mombasa.

(Received 20 November i980)

Short communications

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

89

MAPPING THE DISTRIBUTION OF PALAEARCTIC WILDFOWL IN EAST AFRICA - 1980 PROGRESS
REPORT For the third January running, the E.A.N.H.S Ornithological Sub-
Committee organized counts of Palaearctic ducks at various wetlands in East
Africa on behalf of the International Wildfowl Research Bureau. The aims of
the survey have been outlined previously (Meadows 1979).

Several new waters were counted in 1980 and, in terms of aerial coverage,
about 250 20-km squares in Kenya have been mapped over the past three years.
There will be further counts during January 1981 and interested observers are
asked to contact the author for allocation of suitable areas still needing
coverage. Historical data over the past two decades are also being solicited,
specifically for the mapping exercise, to provide complementary information

for the final report to the I.W.R.B.

TABLE 1

Waters in Kenya providing records of Palaearctic ducks in January 1980

Locality

Tana Catchment
Othaya Dam
Makuyu Dam
Gethumbwini Dam, Thika
Upper Athi Catchment
Thika oxidation ponds
Lake Amboseli
Nairobi National Park dams
Dandora oxidation ponds
Smart's Swamp, Limuru
Athi River oxidation ponds
Closeburn dam, Kiambu
Rift Valley Catchment
Lake Turkana, Ferguson's Gulf
Lake Turkana, Alia Bay
Lake Turkana, El Molo Bay
Lake Baringo
Lake Elmenteita
Lake Nakuru
Lake Naivasha
Kinangop dams
Shombole Swamp
Ewaso Nyiro Catchment
Lake Ol Bolossat
Ewaso Narok Swamp, Rumuruti
Sukuti Naibor dam
Nyahururu Swamp
Lake Victoria Basin
Two Rivers Dam, Eldoret
Coast Province
Lake Jipe
Aruba Dam
Mida Creek

P,

iS

Species’

Te, W

Te
Te, Tu, W

a oe Se
*G=Garganey Anas querquedula, P=Pintail A. acuta,
Te=Teal A.crecca, Tu=Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula, W=Eurasian Wigeon Anas
penelope. Letters in italics denote concentrations of 50 or more birds.

S=Shoveler A. clypeata,

90 Short communications

The total numbers of every species, save Eurasian Wigeon, were higher in 1980
than in 1978 and 1979. Perhaps significantly, the northern winter in East Africa
was dry in 1979/80 compared with the previous two wet seasons. This may have led
to more ducks concentrating at the sites visited, but it is far more likely that
this represented a genuine influx in response to the dry conditions north of the
equator.

The Shoveler, particularly, was more abundant in 1980 than in the two previous
years with concentrations exceeding 2000 birds at Lake Naivasha and Ferguson's
Gulf, although the numbers recorded were still lower than during the early
seventies when there were >10000 at Ferguson's Gulf, and >5000 on Lake Nakuru
alone. Another result of the increased recording worth highlighting is the
widespread occurrence of the Teal, indicating that this is a species that is
probably far less scarce in Kenya than was considered previously. Also note-
worthy was a count of 1860+ Pintail at Lake Baringo on 6 January, and numbers
never dropped below 1200 there at any time during the month. Over 1000 Pintail
were also present at Lake Ol Bolossat.

Although the majority of localities holding ducks are in the highlands (above
1500 m) or at Lake Turkana, this is by no means a strict rule, and one con-
clusion of the study has been the realization that waters in the Coast Province
of Kenya do attract at times, albeit in small numbers, all the regular Palae-
arctic species, with the exception of the Eurasian Wigeon, which appears to be
very much a high altitude duck

REFERENCE
MEADOWS, B.S. 1979. Preliminary report on the January range and abundance of
Palaearctic ducks in East Africa. Scopus 3: 29-31.

B.S. Meadows, Box 30521, Nairobi Received 29 October 1980

Scopus 4: 89-90, December 1980

EXCEPTIONAL NUMBERS OF PINTAIL ANAS ACUTA AT LUANSHYA, ZAMBIA IN 1979/1980

On 24 November 1979 five Pintail Anas acuta were seen with other ducks at
Makoma Sewage Oxidation Ponds, Luanshya (13°07'S, 28°22'E). On subsequent visits
the authors noted a steady increase in numbers and, in mid-December, Pintail
were also found at a pool on Akatiti, a mine tailings dam inactive since 1970
and situated 3.5km southeast of Makoma Ponds. A regular watch was kept on

these and other Luanshya waters, and counts of Pintail were made (see Table 1).
Numbers rose to a maximum of 37 on 12 January 1980.

TABLE 1

Numbers of Pintail at Luanshya from November 1979 to March 1980. The numbers

of males are divided into those in full breeding plumage [F] and those in

partial breeding plumage [P]. A '?' indicates that males were not separately
counted on that date

Date Total Males | Date Total Males
24.41.79 5 2P 19.01.80 30 ?
30)..11...79 9 ? 02.02.80 30 12F
Of212-79 8 1FipP 07.02.80 26 ?
04.12.79 1 ? 132027500 17 ?
152532:279 21 2F2P 16.02.80 9 4F
29212),79 30 2F5P Zi OD 1O0 6 ?
05.01.80 34 ? 01.03.80 5 3F
12.01.80 Si, te 08.03.80 0) =

-

Short communications 91

The Pintail fed mainly at Makoma and flew out to Akatiti to roost or when dis-
turbed. They were rarely seen elsewhere. When they were present at both waters
a recount was made to ensure accuracy.

The Pintail winters all across tropical Africa, where the only Palaearctic
duck occurring in larger numbers is the Garganey Anas querquedula (Moreau 1972).
While good numbers occur regularly from late October to early March in East

Africa (Meadows, in press) there are few records from as far south as Zambia

and Zimbabwe (Moreau 1972). Benson, Brooke, Dowsett & Irwin (1971) give only
one record from Zambia, a single bird at Ndola on 18 February (year not given)
but between February 1973 and February 1977 there were twelve further records,
the maximum number of birds recorded together being three at Kitwe in December
1976 (Zambian Ornithological Society Newsletters). RJCdP also has two unpub-
lished records of females at Luanshya, one bird on 26 November 1972 and two
on 15 December 1976.

The numbers at Luanshya in 1979/1980 therefore far exceed any previously
reported from Zambia and are unusually large for central southern Africa.
During this period there were several records from elsewhere in Zambia, of
Single birds at Ndola on 1 December, Chipata on 1 March and Kitwe on 5 March,
and 1-2 at Lusaka between 17 November and 28 January (Zambian Ornithological
Society Newsletters). There was also a record from Zimbabwe, a first year
female at Marlborough Sewage Ponds, Salisbury from 1-3 January (A.J. Tree in
iJitt.). Further, Meadows (1980 and in press) has shown that numbers of Pintail
in Kenya were significantly higher in the 1979/1980 northern winter than
during the previous two winters.

Comparisons of Zambian Ornithological Society Newsletter records of thé two
other Palaearctic duck species which occur in Zambia show that reported numbers
of Garganey in the 1979/1980 Palaearctic winter, though considerably higher
than those in 1978/1979, did not exceed those for 1976/1977 and 1977/1978.

A single European Shoveler Anas clypeata was at Lusaka in mid-November i979,
a species for which there have been records between November and January in
several years, the maximum number recorded being 4 in December 1973 at Kitwe.
The 1979/1980 numbers of these ducks do not therefore appear to have been
higher than in previous years, in contrast to the exceptionally large numbers
of Pintail.

The 1979/1980 Pintail records extend this duck's known period of occurrence
in Zambia, limit dates now being 24 November and 5 March

Cramp & Simmons (1977) state that adult male Pintail are usually in full
breeding plumage by November (but central tail feathers are sometimes then
still growing), while juvenile males are mainly in full breeding plumage by
December, although some retain some juvenile or first non-breeding plumage
until spring. In the Luanshya males, full breeding plumage was first seen in
early December and some were still moulting at the end of December. This
Suggests that most, if not all, of the males were undergoing their first pre-
breeding moult. Central tail feathers did not appear to have reached their
full length in December and January, even in otherwise fully-moulted birds.
No attempt was made to assess relative numbers of adult and first-winter
females.

REFERENCES
BENSON, C.W., BROOKE, R.K., DOWSETT, R.J. & IRWIN, M.P.S. 1971. The birds of
Zambia. London: Collins.

CRAMP, S. & SIMMONS, K.E.L. (eds.) 1977. The birds of the western Palearctic.
Vol. 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

MEADOWS, B.S. 1980. Mapping the distribution of Palaearctic wildfowl in East
Africa - 1980 progress report. Scopus 4: 89-90.

92 Short communications

MEADOWS, B.S. in press. Numbers and seasonality of filter-feeding ducks in
Kenya. Proceedings of the Fifth Pan-African Ornithological Congress.

R.J. Casalis de Pury, Box 90456, Luanshya, Zambia and P.B. Taylor, Box 87336,
Mombasa Received 23 August 1980

Scopus 4:90-92, December 1980

THE MOUNTAIN BUZZARD BUTEO TACHARDUS IN TANZANIA Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
(1979) in their review of the Mountain Buzzard in Central Africa, commented
that, whereas recent authors have tended to consider that the species is absent
between northern Tanzania and Natal, there were two old specimen records from
the Usambara and Uzungwe mountains, together with sight records from the Kungwe-
Mahari mountains. Apart from those, they knew of no additional Tanzania records
and that, on the evidence of specimens, the northern population of the Mountain
Buzzard Buteo tachardus oreophilus was known south only to Mt Kilimanjaro and
eastern Zaire. Snow (1978) commented, however, that it may be more widespread
in Tanzania than shown on his Map 92.

With the increased interest in documenting the ranges of many birds in Tan-
zania since 1977, and with the introduction of the distributional mapping
scheme in East Africa, it has become apparent from records submitted that the
Mountain Buzzard occurs in suitable areas of montane forest throughout Tanzania.
All known records of the species from Tanzania are summarized below. :

NORTHERN MONTANE AREAS
Crater Highlands: several sight records from Ngorongoro Crater, Embulbul,
Embagai, Engamat and Engaruka during January, February, March and July
1942-45 (Elliott and Fuggles-Couchman in litt.).

Arusha District: several sight records from Burka and Monduli mountains
(west of Arusha) during June, August, November and December 1941-44 (Elliott
and Fuggles-Couchman in litt.), while more recently several pairs reported
resident in the forested areas of the Arusha National Park (Beesley 1972).

Mt Kilimanjaro: several sight records from forested slopes of the mountain
between 1850-3700m during March, October and December 1944-46 (Elliott in
litt.); during August 1958 and January 1960 (Dillingham and Fuggles-—Couchman
in litt.); and in December 1966, February 1968 and August 1969 (Backhurst
pers. comm.).

MBULU HIGHLANDS
Several sight records from the forested slopes of Mt Hanang at 2150m on
6 February 1946 (Fuggles-Couchman in litt.).

USAMBARA MOUNTAINS, NE TANZANIA
Sclater & Moreau (1933) refer to a specimen from Ngua near Amani at 1000m
in the East Usambaras, at the same time referring to others occurring
regularly at 1850m in the West Usambaras. Elliott (in litt.) also recorded
1 from the Lushoto area, West Usambaras on 30 January 1946, while more
recently, Stuart (pers. comm.) reports that the Mountain Buzzard occurs
in the Usambaras from 900m upwards, being common at 1200m in all forested
areas.

EASTERN MONTANE AREAS
Nguru Mountains: Stuart (pers. comm.) recorded a single bird from the Ngurus
in September 1978.

Ukaguru Mountains: one recorded over open glade in forest, 25 December 1952
(Fuggles-Couchman in litt.) and twice during August 1978 between 1500 and
1650m (Stuart pers. comm.).

Short communications 93

Uluguru Mountains: one at Bondwa on 23 December 1972 (Stjernstedt in litt.),
and several sight records from the Morningside area during January 1980
fstuart in iitt.).

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
Uzungwa Mountains, Iringa District: a male collected at Kigogo, 14 January
1930 (Bangs & Loveridge 1933); fairly common around the Mufindi Tea Estates
during August, September, November and December 1979 (Stuart and Tyler in

ioks oe

Matengo Highlands, Songea District: sight records from Litembo (1600-1850 m)
in all months, with three or more recorded on 27 May, 12 July and 3 September
1955 (Hay in litt.); also recorded from the same locality by Fuggles-Couchman
and Dillingham (in litt.).

Mbeya District: a sight record of one around 2150m on Rungwe Mt on 10 Sept-
ember 1948 (Elliott in litt.) and another sight record from Mbeya on 26 Oct-
ober 1957 (Dillingham in litt.).

SOUTHWESTERN MONTANE AREAS
A pair over Mbisi Forest, near Sumbawanga on 27 November 1979 (Tyler in litt.).

WESTERN MONTANE AREAS
Several reported over the Mahari and Kabesi ridges in the Kungwe-Mahari
mountains during July and August 1958 (Ulfstrand & Lamprey 1960).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am most grateful to G.C. Backhurst, I.H. Dillingham, Sir Hugh Elliott,

R. Fuggles-Couchman, W. Hay, R. Stjernstedt, S.N. Stuart and Dr S.J. Tyler for
sending me their previously unpublished records.

REFERENCES

BANGS, O. & LOVERIDGE, A. 1933. Reports on the scientific results of an exped-
ition to the southwestern highlands of Tanganyika Territory. Part 3. Birds.
Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 75 (3): 143-221.

BEESLEY, J.S.S. 1972. Birds of the Arusha National Park, Tanzania. Journal of
the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum 132: 1-32.

DOWSETT, R.J. & DOWSETT-LEMAIRE, F. 1979. The Mountain Buzzard Buteo tachardus
in Central Africa. Scopus 3: 14-18.

SCLATER, W.L. & MOREAU, R.E. 1933. Taxonomic and field notes on some birds of
northeastern Tanganyika Territory. Part V. Ibis 13 (3): 399-440.

SNOW, D.W. (ed.) 1978. An atlas of speciation in African non-passerine birds.
London: British Museum (Nat. Hist.).

ULFSTRAND, S. & LAMPREY, H. 1960. On the birds of the Kungwe-Mahari area in
western Tanganyika Territory. Journal of the East Africa Natural History
Society 23: 223-232.

D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi Received 30 November i980
Scopus 4: 92-93, December 1980

LITTLE CRAKE PORZANA PARVA AT NDOLA, ZAMBIA The seasonally-inundated grass-
land and drier grazing land at the edges of the Itawa swamps, Ndola (12°57'S,
28°47'E) provide excellent habitat for crakes during the rainy season (November
to April). Spotted Crake Porzana porzana, Striped Crake P. marginalis, Lesser
Spotted Crake P. pusilla, Corncrake Crex crex and African Crake C.egregia all

94 Short communications

occur at this time, while African Water Rail Rallus caerulescens is a common
permanent resident in the reedbeds. Snipe Gallinago spp., quails Coturnix spp.
and pygmy crakes Sarothrura spp. also occur in this grassland.

I regularly search for all these species with my dog throughout the rains,
and just before sunset on 1 March 1980 we were working an area of half-metre
high wet grass near reedbeds. The grass is crossed by muddy wheel-ruts and
these had water flowing in them after recent rain. By walking along these
wheel-tracks I often obtain good views of snipe and crakes on the mud and, on
this occasion, I came upon a small crake standing out in the open looking at
me. Although I was in full view of the bird I was able, by moving quietly, to
approach to within 15m of it and I observed it for some minutes. It was much
smaller and slimmer than Spotted or African Crakes, being similar to Lesser
Spotted Crake but appearing more elongated than that species and holding the
neck rather stretched up and out. The upperside was rather dull brown with
ill-defined darker markings and a few ill-defined pale flecks on the back.
The hindneck and crown were dull brown, as were the flight feathers, and the
whole upperside appeared rather unpatterned, the most obvious feature being
a broad diffuse pale brown line along the sides of the back in the region of
the scapulars, and presumably formed by paler edges to these feathers. The
face, neck, breast and flanks were plain slate grey, the flanks were unbarred
and the under-tail coverts were not well seen but were dark and appeared
barred. The bill was green with a distinct red base to at least the upper
mandible, and the eye appeared dark. The legs were dark, the exact colour
not being seen. I attempted to flush the crake by approaching with the dog,
but the bird dashed into the grass and could not be relocated.

I regularly searched the same area during the next two weeks and the dog
located and flushed the crake twice on 8 March and three times on 13 March.
Flights ranged from a few metres to over 200m and excellent views were
obtained at close range. In flight the upper wing coverts were seen to be
entirely unmarked, plain dull brown, as were the flight feathers, and the
pale colour along the scapulars was visible. The dull brown back had a few
whitish streaks in the centre, some darker markings and also a few slightly
richer and paler brown markings (visible only at close range). The lack of
distinct patterning was in marked contrast to the well-patterned upperside of
the Lesser Spotted Crake, which has prominent white 'scratches', black streaks
and rich brown markings on the mantle and upper wing coverts. The under tail
coverts were well seen and were barred with blackish and white, the barring
not extending far forwards on to the flanks, which were grey and had a slightly
paler wash on their upper regions, visible only at close range (male Little
Crake has feint white barring in this region). In flight the crake had long
wings, longer than those of Lesser Spotted Crake, and the flight was powerful
and low, with shallow wingbeats.

The crake was not seen again, but on 21 and 22 March my dog flushed an adult
Lesser Spotted Crake from the edge of reedbeds at Itawa and I was able to
confirm the plumage differences mentioned above and also to see that the
Lesser Spotted was a dumpier bird with shorter wings and a weaker flight.

All my observations were made using X10 binoculars. Although I have never
before seen Little Crake I am very familiar with all the crakes which occur
at Itawa, and I am confident that this bird was an adult male Little Crake.
My field notes for 1 and 8 March have been examined by D.I.M. Wallace, who
confirms identification (in litt.), stating that points such as the upperside
colour and markings, the absence of barring along the flanks, the bill colour
and the elongated body shape all exclude Lesser Spotted Crake. Full details
of my observations are on file at the Zoological Museum, Tring.

The Little Crake is a Palaearctic species whose winter distribution is
imperfectly known due to its secretive behaviour, but it is known to winter

Short communications 95

in Africa, south to at least Butiaba (1°49'N) in western Uganda (Britton 1980).
I can find no evidence of its occurrence in Kenya, the southernmost limit given
by Moreau (1972), Glutz von Blotzheim, Bauer & Bezzel (1973) and Cramp & Simmons
(1980). The Butiaba records refer to four collected females (and three other
birds seen) in December 1901 (Jackson 1938). It may, therefore, be only an
irregular visitor to East Africa, but most crake species are very infrequently
recorded, and the lack of sightings is possibly due more to the difficulty
experienced in obtaining good views of these secretive birds and to observers'
unfamiliarity with them, than to an actual scarcity of crakes. Nevertheless,
its occurrence as far south as Zambia is unexpected.

I have Ndola records of the Spotted Crake for all years from 1975 to 1980,
most being from Kanini Sewage Works where they occur at the edges of muddy
tanks close to dense cover. I had few records from Itawa until the 1979/1980
rains, when I regularly flushed these crakes from wet grassland, numbers
seeming to be much higher here than in previous years. Indeed, my total number
of Ndola records for this rains period is remarkably large - some 41 sightings
between 11 December 1979 and 11 April 1980. In contrast, Corncrake occurrences
at Itawa were no more numerous than in previous years. These observations
suggest that wet-habitat Palaearctic crakes may have reached Zambia in greater
numbers than usual in this season, possibly due to dry conditions further
north (which would presumably not affect Corncrakes to the same extent). This
would provide some explanation for the unexpected occurrence of the Little
Crake.

REFERENCES
BRITTON, P.L. (ed.) 1980. Birds of East Africa. Nairobi: EANHS.

CRAMP, S. & SIMMONS, K.E.L. (eds.) 1980. The birds of the western Palearctic.
Vol 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

GLUTZ von BLOTZHEIM, U.N., BAUER, K.M. & BEZZEL, E. 1973. Handbuch der Vdégel
Mitteleuropas. Vol 5. Frankfurt/Main: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft.

P.B. Taylor, Box 87336, Mombasa Received 28 August 1980
Scopus 4: 93-95, December 1980

OCCURRENCE OF A BLACK TERN CHLIDONIAS NIGER AT DANDORA, KENYA On 12 October
1980, during a visit to the new Dandora Sewage Works, eastern Nairobi, we
observed over one of the ponds a somewhat heavy-looking marsh tern which, at
close quarters, displayed grey smudges on the sides of the breast. On close
examination, including views together with a single White-winged Black Tern
Chlidonias leucopterus, it became clear that this was a non-breeding plumaged
Black Tern C. niger.

The upperparts were grey, but less dark than in the juvenile plumage familiar
in early autumn in Europe. The diagnostic breast marks, grey rather than black-
ish, were not readily visible at ranges above 50m. In addition to the breast
marks, the following points of distinction from C. leucopterus were noted: the
bill was longer; the body size was marginally larger and the wingbeat slower,
not speeding up to the extent observed in leucopterus when the bird dipped to
pick from the water surface; the rump was grey, uniform with the mantle. The
hood was similar in extent to that of leucopterus, the black through and behind
the eye extending broadly across the top of the head.

The bird was also seen by B.S. Meadows (on the same day) and D.A. Turner (on
13th), both of whom agreed with the identification. It was still present on
18 October, when it was observed by DJP and J. Halliday in company with four
leucopterus.

96 Short communications

There are only two previous records of the Black Tern from East Africa, both
from Kenya (Britton 1980). A full breeding plumaged specimen labelled 'Kisumu,
30 April 1916' exists in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) collection, and a
bird in winter plumage was observed at Lake Nakuru on 30 September 1953 (Wallace
1975)'<

REFERENCES
BRITTON, P.L. (ed.) 1980. Birds of Fast Africa. Nairobi: EANHS.

WALLACE, D.I.M. 1975. Rare and unusual Palaearctic migrant birds in Central
Kenya in 1953. EANHS Bulletin 1975: 24-31.

D.J. Pearson, Department of Biochemistry and A.D. Lewis, Department of Geology,
Box 30197, Nairobi Received 30 October 1980

Scopus 4: 95-96, December 1980

THE GAMBAGA FLYCATCHER MUSCICAPA GAMBAGAE IN NORTHERN KENYA On 5 February 1978,
approximately 20km southwest of the Ura Gate to the Meru National Park, the
attention of one of us (DJP) was drawn to a bird which resembled in general
appearance and habits a grey Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata, but which
had an arresting, repeated chik call, sharper than that of striata. The bird,
viewed rather high in a large Acacia, appeared to have no discernible streak-
ing on the forehead, and little on the breast. The wings appeared to be shorter
than in striata. A similar bird was seen next day, also in acacias, at Isiolo.
Both birds were in very fresh plumage, and were assumed to have been Gambaga
Flycatchers M. gambagae, a species with which the observer was not familiar.

Much better views were obtained of another of these birds by DJP and ADL at
the base of Ololokwe on 18 March 1980. This individual was watched for some-
time at close range in low acacia scrub, and was identified with confidence as
a Gambaga Flycatcher. Again, the bird was in very fresh plumage. The upper-
parts were brownish grey. The tail and closed primaries were dark, but a
prominent pale panel was formed by the edges of the closed secondaries, and
pale fringes were visible on the tertials. There was no streaking on the fore-
head, and only a trace on the upper breast. The tips of the closed wings
reached only the base of the tail. In some respects, the bird was rather
Ficedula-like. Thus, the stance when perched was rather more horizontal, less
upright than that typical of striata, and the head appeared more rounded, less
peaked. DAT saw a bird, perhaps the same individual, at the same site on 7
April, when striata were also in the vicinity and better comparisons could be
made. Lerata was revisited by DJP and A.E. Butterworth on 9 November 1980. At
least three gambagae were seen. One viewed at close quarters was apparently an
adult. It was much duller and browner looking than the spring birds, with worn
flight feathers and no wing panel visible, but with traces of pale fringes
still evident on the tertials. Another individual with a trace of mottling on
the nape and mantle, pale-tipped wing coverts and unworn flight feathers was
assumed to have been a young bird. Finally, also on 9 November, a bird was
located by call in a dry river course some 5km towards Archer's Post.

Jackson (1938) mentions only five records of this species, three from northern
Uganda and two from Kenya, from Elgon and near Archer's Post. Apart from
juvenile birds netted at night at the lights of Ngulia Lodge during early
November 1978 (2) and November 1980 (1), we are not aware of other recent
records. The Lerata observations, however, are indicative of breeding at some
time between March and September 1979. The species may prove to be not uncommon
as a local resident in dry woodland and wooded bushland north and northeast of
Mt Kenya. ;

D.J. Pearson, Department of Biochemistry, A.D. Lewis, Department of Geology,
Box 30197, Nairobi and D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi

‘ Scopus 4: 96, December, 1980 Received 15 November 1980

Short communications 97

NOTES ON THE AVIFAUNAS OF THE KAKAMEGA AND THE NANDI FORESTS Diamond & Fayad
(1979) made comparisons between the avifaunas of the Kakamega and North Nandi
Forests which, in some cases, are at variance with my own observations (Mann
in prep. (a)) based on netting operations in the Kakamega and South Nandi
Forests, and on walking expeditions in the Kakamega, South Nandi and North
Nandi Forests, between 1970 and 1975. Most of the netting was done in a part
of the Kakamega Forest on the property of the Kaimosi Agricultural Training
Centre. This locality, which is in the extreme western part of the forest,
will be referred to as 'the study area'.

Terpsiphone viridis Paradise Flycatcher

I have recorded this in small patches of relict forest surrounded by shambas
in a number of areas of the North Nandi from Kapsabet to Gurgung, but it was
not recorded in deep forest.

Trochocercus albonotatus White-tailed Crested Flycatcher

I recorded this species in the Kakamega Forest only in my study area, at about
1650m, which may be its lower altitudinal limit in Kenya. It has also been
collected in the Kakamega Forest by A.D. Forbes-Watson (Ripley & Bond 1971).
In my study area only two were caught, compared with ten Tf. nigromitratus.

Trochocercus nigromitratus Dusky Crested Flycatcher
This species must reach its upper altitudinal limit in western Kenya at about
1650m as I did not record it in either of the Nandi Forests.

Trichastoma spp.

I have not recorded either Trichastoma fulvescens, the Brown Illadopsis or

T. rufipennis, the Pale-breasted Illadopsis in the Nandi Forests, suggesting
that the upper altitudinal limit in western Kenya is similar to that of Trocho-
cercus nigromitratus. T. fulvescens was the least numerous of the four species
of Trichastoma in my study area.

Kakamega poliothorax Grey-chested Illadopsis
Further investigations into the systematic position of this species (Mann,Burton
& Lennersteadt 1978, Mann 1979 and in prep. (b)) suggest that this species is
not at all close to Trichastoma, possibly not even a babbler, in which case
its English name is misleading.

This species was not uncommon in my study area (16 being trapped in two
years) and is very faithful to its territory, individuals being more likely
to be re-trapped than any species of bird in the study area. Although difficult
to see, it has a distinctive call, so netting is not essential to establish
its presence. It is most likely to be found near streams. Diamond & Fayad
consider this species to be more common in the North Nandi than in the Kaka-
mega Forest. I suggest that it is very local in the North Nandi Forest, as I
have never recorded it there. It is also very local in the Kakamega and South
Nandi Forests, but because a few may be trapped together, and possibly re-
trapped subsequently, a false impression of abundance may be formed.

Alcippe abyssinica African Hill Babbler

Diamond & Fayad believed this species to be absent from the Kakamega Forest.
However, I have recorded this species once in the Kakamega Forest, by the
River Ikuywa. A.D. Forbes-Watson has also recorded it in this forest (Ripley
& Bond 1971). Since it is readily netted, and has a conspicuous song, it is
unlikely to be overlooked. It is common in the Nandi Forests, and appears to
reach its lower altitudinal limit in western Kenya at about 1540m.

Sylvietta leucophrys White-browed Crombec

Diamond & Fayad state that this species does not occur in the Kakamega Forest.
My only records there are from my study area. A.D. Forbes-Watson also recorded
it in the forest. Its lower altitudinal limit is probably similar to Alcippe's.

98 Short communications

Andropadus virens Little Greenbul

Although common in the Kakamega Forest, it was not recorded in the North Nandi,
and only at 1700m in the South Nandi. This must be its upper limit in western
Kenya.

Andropadus ansorgei Ansorge's Greenbul, A. gracilis Little Grey Greenbul and
Phyllastrephus baumanni Toro Olive Greenbul

I agree with Diamond & Fayad that these are rare in the Kakamega Forest, and
in the case of the first two, probably forage too high to be netted frequently.
They would be very difficult to identify unless trapped.

Chlorocichla laetissima Joyful Greenbul

I have recorded this species in the South Nandi, and once in Taressia Forest

(a small disjunct of the North Nandi at 2100m). It occurs at similar altitudes
in Kabartonjo Forest, Tugen Hills. Unlike many forest greenbuls, this species
is not averse to crossing open areas, and the Taressia birds could have been
wanderers. It is common in the Kakamega Forest. It was not recorded in the
North Nandi by Diamond & Fayad.

Platysteira spp.
Diamond & Fayad state that all four Kakamega species are likely to be trapped
there. In my experience only blissetti, Jameson's Wattle-eye, is common and
widespread. It also occurs at 1700m in the South Nandi. P. cyanea, Wattle-
eye, and castanea, Chestnut Wattle-eye, are patchily distributed. P. cyanea
occurs in the South and North Nandi Forests, but is distinctly uncommon.
P.castanea also occurs at 1700m in the South Nandi Forest. I only found
P.concreta, the Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, on a handful of occasions in the
Kakamega Forest and never caught it. A definite change in status must have
occurred if it is as common as implied by Diamond & Fayad. D. Sturber told me
that he had once seen the species in the South Nandi Forest near Kaimosi.
Although much commoner in the Nandi Forests, peltata, the Black-throated
Wattle-eye, does occur in a number of localities in the Kakamega Forest, often
drawing attention to itself by its song, and A.D. Forbes-Watson also recorded
it there (Ripley & Bond 1971). Diamond & Fayad state that it does not occur
there.

Cryptospiza salvadorii Abyssinian Crimson-wing, Turdus piaggiae Abyssinian
Ground Thrush and Bradypterus cinnamomeus Cinnamon Bracken Warbler

Diamond & Fayad do not record these species from the North Nandi or the
Kakamega Forests and I have no records. However, I have recorded all three, the
first commonly, in the South Nandi down to about 2000m.

REFERENCES
DIAMOND, A.W. & FAYAD, V.C. 1979. Preliminary comparisons between the avifaunas
of the North Nandi and Kakamega Forests. Scopus 3: 93-100.

MANN, C.F. 1979. The use of the plantar surface of the foot in the taxonomy of
the Timaliinae (Aves, Passeriformes, Muscicapidae). M.Sc. Thesis. Polytechnic
of Central London/City of London Polytechnic.

A study of the avifauna of the Kakamega Forest, Kenya. in prep. (a).

Comments on the taxonomy of Muscicapidae (Aves, Passeriformes).
in prep. (b).

, BURTON, P.J.K. & LENNERSTEADT, I. 1978. A re-appraisal of the
systematic position of Trichastoma poliothorax (Timaliinae, Muscicapidae).
Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 98: 131-140.

Short communications, Appreciation 99

RIPLEY, S.D. & BOND, G.M. 1971. Systematic notes on a collection of birds from
Kenya. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 111: 1-21.

Clive F. Mann, 123 Hartswood Road, London wl2 9NG, UK
Scopus 4: 97-99, December 1980 Received 20 October 1980

LESLIE HILTON BROWN - AN APPRECIATION

Irascible, uncompromising and totally individual, he gave, and left, far more
than he demanded from life; correction - he demanded a lot, and usually got
it, but never for himself; thus his contribution to the world was monumental.

Agriculture and ecology, the environment in which we live, and his great love,
the world of birds, all benefited vastly from his dedicated work. There can
be few men who have contributed so much, and to those of us who were lucky
enough to be counted as his friends, he gave even more - an insight into the
world of a dying race. As a colonial administrator in his chosen field he can
have had few equals, yet his total intolerance of any form of inefficiency or
idleness (human failings of which he was violently critical) was always
tempered with a determination to earn his keep, and he could always come up
with a practical, viable answer, which he was able and willing to demonstrate
himself.

The subject of soil erosion (currently popular again) with all its cumulative
disasters, had been controlled almost completely by his own personal efforts
as long ago as 1960. Many are the old Mbere people in the lower Embu District
who remember "Brown". They never knew when he would turn up personally, on
foot, to inspect their shambas, and consequently few were eroded: One of his
many stories - round a camp fire on Eagle Hill - with a glass of whisky in
hand, told of an old man who harvested miraa for a living. In the colonial
days this was highly illegal - and the old man was horrified and shattered at
the appearance of "Brown" in his boma, on the top of a mountain in the Mbere
area, just as he had cut a large quantity for illicit sale. We were never told
what happened to the old man in the matter of the illegal miraa, except that
his eroded shamba was beautifully terraced within a week!

Another incident I witnessed myself took place during one of the frequent
visits to Eagle Hill between 1977 and 1979. We watched with horror and disgust
the progression of a large gully as it eroded its way further and further,
with each rainstorm, up the mountainside, taking huge trees and tons of viable
soil with it - each visit showing more and more just how unthinking neglect
could rapidly destroy the land. It started just above a school full of eager
young children and dedicated teachers (we stopped once or twice and spoke to
them in class). We left the school one day in time to record another hundred
yards or so of gully, now ten feet deep, with a fallen 20 year-old acacia

tree in its maw, just as the school children started singing a hymn. Brown
stopped in his stride, listened a moment, and growled "A little more real
education and a lot less of God and Shakespeare could stop this rot in five
minutes".

There was humour too, closely related to his links with nature and human
environment. Breakfasting one morning at the Isaac Walton Inn at Embu, raucous
‘pop' music, loud and pounding, boomed from the speakers in the dining room.
With a cold aggresive look at the source he commented in a low growl "By God,

100 Appreciation, notices

Elvis Presley has a lot to answer for!

I can think of no finer epitaph to a great man, a great Kenyan, than the
complete reversal of the past 15 years of soil erosion and environmental
destruction.

If his ghost could look down on his beloved Eagle Hill on to terraced, flour-
ishing farmland, with all the scars of mismanagement healed and covered, it
would rest in peace - and his lifelong devoted efforts would not have been

in vain.

Peter Davey

NOTICES

The African Seabird Group

This was originally formed in 1976 as the Southern African Seabird Group, to
increase communication and co-operative work among those in the region inter-
ested in seabirds. Seven volumes of its bulletin, The Cormorant, appeared up
to 1979. The group has now expanded its sphere of interest to the whole
Ethiopian Region, and become the African Seabird Group. At the same time, from
1980, The Cormorant has become a fully-fledged journal, to be issued in two
parts each year. The Group is keen to increase its membership of seabird
enthusiasts based outside the southern part of Africa.

The Cormorant Volume 8, No. 1, June i980 (40 pp.) contains six short papers,
notes, newS, a review of recent seabird literature for the Ethiopian Region
and details of new membership. The issue contains items of interest on many
topics, including feeding and breeding behaviour, distribution and identific-—
ation. Papers include an account of the predation techniques of the Subant-
arctic Skua, notes on Caspian Tern breeding, details of Wedge-tailed Shear-
water records in southern African waters and the results of seabird censuses
at Seal Rock.

Subscriptions to the African Seabird Group for 1980 are R.2.50. From 1981,
the annual subscription will be R.5.00. Back numbers of The Cormorant are
available. Full details from the Secretary, Southern African Seabird Group,
c/o South African Bird Ringing Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7700,
South Africa.

Ecological survey of the Nguruman Forest, Kenya by V.C. & C. Fayad

Results of a one year detailed survey of the vegetation and avifauna of the
Nguruman Forest, south-central Kenya. 33 pages of text plus 120 pages of maps,
graphs and tables. Xeroxed copies.

Costs, inclusive of surface mail delivery: Sterling £10.00, US $24.00 or Kenya
Shs. 170.00. Cheques/bank drafts payable direct to V.C. Fayad, Naro Moru River
Lodge, Box 18, Naro Moru, Kenya.

The East African Bird Report 1980

The report, which will form the fifth issue of this volume of Scopus, will be
published in 1981. Readers are asked to please send in their records of birds
as follows: Non-Palaearctic species to D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi and
Palaearctic species to B.S. Meadows, Box 30521, Nairobi.

Individuals undertaking ornithological studies in East Africa are requested
to send brief details to D.A. Turner, so that the coverage in the Report will
be as complete as possible.

x.

CONTENTS

P.L. BRITTON, H.A. BRITTON and M.A.C. COVERDALE. The avifauna of Mrima

Hill, south Kenya coast (5) << n) ) re) et ccc ieee comer mS

H.A. BRITTON. Eggs from East Africa in the collection of the Western

Foundatren lof Vetebrate™ Zoology), GalizEornalciavssner ncn ore nnt nec nnecnnC Tne

D.J. PEARSON and P.L. BRITTON. Arrival and departure times of Palaearctic

waders’ on the Kenya coaSit Sy @ ve. ov sit) lace cio role sey nec mre mC

Short communications

B.S. MEADOWS. Mapping the distribution of Palaearctic wildfowl
invBast Africa = 19/80 Progress) ReEpoOmsitc macnn cisne antenna

R.J. CASALIS de PURY and P.B. TAYLOR. Exceptional numbers of
Pintail Anas acuta at Luanshya, Zambia in 1979/1980 ......

D.A. TURNER. The Mountain Buzzard Buteo tachardus in Tanzania .
P.B. TAYLOR. Little Crake Porzana parva at Ndola, Zambia...

D.J. PEARSON and A.D. LEWIS. Occurrence of a Black Tern
Chizidonias niger vat Dandoray, Kenyan ur cum) acne cnnnonnoane eran

D.J. PEARSON, A.D. LEWIS and D.A. TURNER. The Gambaga Flycatcher
Muscicapa gambagae in northern Kenya ............ .-

CLIVE F. MANN. Notes on the avifaunas of the Kakamega and the
NENNSEL Tete 5G 6 6 mn OG 6 6 606 0 Ooo 6 lll OO

LESLIE HILTON BROWN = an appreciation = 2 2 2 a.) yee eee

Notices

ANgYer (Werciieelal Byscloragel (holla) 6 6 6 6 56 5 6 6 6 oO 6 OO OOO

Ecological survey of the Nguruman Forest, Kenya by
Vi€s & Ce Bayadt. sy ep se el ete el ee ee

AUCs) Idee /\iereketeiey isklidcl ieee, ISSN) 5 6 5 6 6 oo 6 6 oo

Printed in Kenya by IAL, Box 19012, Nairobi

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SCOPUS

EAST AFRICAN BIRD REPORT 1980

A quarterly ornithological publication
of the East Africa Natural History Society

Volume 4(5) July 1981 35 shillings

SCOPUS

Scopus is published five times a year by the East Africa Natural History
Society's Ornithological Sub-Committee. Subscriptions are payable to the OS-C
Hon. Treasurer (and Secretary), D.A. Turner [tel. 48772], Scopus a/c, Box
48019, Nairobi, Kenya, at the following rates:

East African residents: KShs 75.00 (KShs 78.50 up-country)
Overseas, surface mail: Sterling £6.00 or US$12.00
Overseas, air mail: Sterling £7.50 or US$15.00

Overseas rates apply to all countries other than Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Those wishing to remit by bank transfer should do so to D.A. Turner, Scopus a/c,
No. 2852601, Barclay's Bank of Kenya Limited, Market Branch, Box 30018, Nairobi.

All material for Scopus, including papers and short communications, should be
sent in the first instance to the Chairman of the Ornithological Sub-Committee,
Dr D.J. Pearson [tel. 47041], Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi,
Box 30197, Nairobi. Notes for contributors are given below.

Other Sub-Committee members are as follows: G.C. Backhurst [tel. 891419],
Editor of Scopus and Ringing Organizer, Box 24702, Nairobi; J.S.S. Beesley,
Box 634, Arusha, Tanzania; Mrs Hazel A. Britton, Nest Record Scheme Organizer,
Box 90163, Mombasa; P.L. Britton, Box 90163, Mombasa; Dr Margaret Carswell,
Box 7051, Kampala; Dr K.M. Howell, Box 35064, Dar es Salaam; Dr A.D. Lewis,
Box 30197, Nairobi; B.S.-Meadows [tel. 40535], Box 30521, Nairobi; Prot. B-a.
Pomeroy [tel. Kahawa 439], Box 43844, Nairobi; J.F. Reynolds (U.K.);

D.K. Richards [tel. 501501], Box 30750, Nairobi; P.B. Taylor [tel. 24065],
Box 87336, Mombasa.

NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS

Scopus welcomes original contributions in English on all aspects of the ornith-
Ology of eastern Africa pertinent to Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Contributions
will be assessed by the Sub-Committee and by independent referees. The material
published in Scopus will be divided into 'papers' and 'short communications',

the latter will usually be less than two Scopus-pages in length. Contributions
which are submitted as 'papers' should be written in the third person (except
in the 'Acknowledgements' section); 'short communications' may be written in
the first or third person. Authors of papers are entitled to five copies of
their contribution, free of charge, but they should be requested when the MS
is submitted. Extra copies, which will be supplied at cost, must be ordered
when the MS is submitted.

Contributions should be typed in double spacing on one side of the paper only,
with wide margins all round, and they should be submitted in duplicate.
Exceptionally, clear hand-written MSS will be considered but these too should
be sent in duplicate. Both English and scientific names of birds should be
given when the species is first mentioned, thereafter only one should be used.
Normally, authorities for taxa should not be given. English and scientific
names should be those used in Birds of East Africa unless the species does not
occur in that work.

Tables, which should be numbered, should appear in the typescript, not grouped
on separate sheets at the end. Metric units should be used. If non-metric units
were used in the original observation or experiment, the approximate metric
equivalent should be given in brackets.

Illustrations should be on bristol board, good quality white paper or tracing
paper, in line - i.e. black on white, and should not be larger than 19 x 23cm.
Lettering (in black) will be the responsibility of the author and should be

done neatly in Letraset, no larger than 14 point (3.9mm). Each illustration
should be numbered (Fig. 1, etc.) and provided with a legend typed on a separate
sheet of paper. Photographs will be considered if they are absolutely necessary.

Continued inside back cover

Scopus 4 (5) July 1981

SCOPUS

GENERAL REVIEW

The year 1980 was one of considerable ornithological achievement, particularly
with regard to various co-ordinated survey and documentation exercises. Most
important was the publication of two basic reference works, The breeding
seasons of East African birds by L.H. Brown and P.L. Britton, and Birds of East
Africa, their habitat, status and distribution written by members of the sub-
committee and edited by P.L. Britton. These two works provide an invaluable
summary of information against which future observations can be evaluated,

and which will be updated annually by records published in the Bird Report.

Ornithological field activity was once again concentrated in western, central,
southern and coastal areas of Kenya, scattered areas of Tanzania and the Kam-
Pala area of Uganda. There was one addition to the East African avifauna during
the year, a Wilson's Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus observed at close range
off Malindi. Other notable records include the first Black Tern Chlidonias
niger for almost thirty years (and only the third East African record), the
second definite records of both the Long-tailed and Arctic Skuas Stercorarius
longicaudus and S. parasiticus, the second mainland sighting of the Mascarene
Martin Phedina borbonica, the first properly substantiated Green Crombec Syl-
vietta virens for Kenya, the fifth and sixth records of the Red-footed Falcon
Falco vespertinus, the first Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris in
western Kenya, Grey-crested Helmet Shrikes Prionops poliolopha well north of
the previously documented range and several sightings of the Gambaga Flycatcher
Muscicapa gambagae.

In Kenya, the early part of the year was dry and, in contrast to the two
previous years, most of the arid and semi-arid plateau country was dusty and
leafless by February. The ‘long rains' began only at the end of March, and
although there were some heavy storms locally, April was less wet than in
other recent years. The coast received very little rainfall in the normally
wet months April-June. The ‘short rains' were somewhat patchy, and were not
protracted. Rain was widespread and quite heavy in central Kenya, but was
practically confined to November. In Tsavo, where the rains broke with a
vengeance in the middle of the month, they did not continue significantly
beyond mid December.

The rift valley lake levels were fairly high, but drying edges provided
excellent habitat for waders and ducks, particularly during January-April and
October-December. The annual January duck survey revealed thousands of Shoveler
Anas clypeata and Pintail A. acuta in all at Lakes Naivasha, Baringo and Ol
Bolossat, whilst at the end of the year, migrant duck numbers sunning to tens
of thousands were concentrated at Naivasha, the Kinangop dams and the rapidJy
drying shores of Lake Solai. A survey of migrant waders in the southern Ker, m

Scopus 4: 101-102, July 1981

102 East African Bird Report 1980

rift early in the year produced an estimate of over 15000 . birds’, with ‘anaes
counts at Lakes Nakuru and Naivasha.

Around Nairobi, spring passage of Palaearctic passerines was very evident
from the beginning of April to early May, and was the heaviest since 1976.
Migrants also appeared early in April on the coast, with considerable numbers
of Lesser Cuckoos Cuculus poliocephalus in Sokoke Forest. In mid-April, unusual
low cloud in Tsavo produced only the second large fall of migrants ever to be
observed in spring at Ngulia Lodge. This was notable for the involvement of a
number of River Warblers Locustella fluviatilis, a species rarely recorded in
Africa on northward passage. The usual heavy November-—December passerine move-
ment through eastern Kenya was observed as far north as Meru and, in its early
stages, west to Isiolo and Nairobi. November was also notable, in central and
eastern Kenya, for the number and variety of passage falcons Falco spp.
observed and for the unusually large numbers of migrant Aquila eagles, includ-
ing many Lesser Spotted A. pomerina, recorded in the bushlands at the height
of the rains.

Once again, this time due perhaps to the availability of Birds of East Africa,
there has been an encouraging increase in the number of contributors to the
Report. The categories under which records have been selected for inclusion
are those used and explained in the 1978 and 1979 reports. Most of the records
of scarce species submitted for consideration involve field sightings for
which supporting photographic evidence is lacking. In deciding which such
records to accept and which to reject the sub-committee has a considerable
responsibility. Error on the side of over-caution could well do injustice to
individual observers. On the other hand, an insufficiently critical approach
would constitute a gross disservice to East African ornithology, and destroy
the credibility of the sub-committee as a competent judging body. Certain guide-
lines have been established for the acceptance of unusual records, and it is
felt that it would be in the general interest if these were well known. They
are therefore set out in the introduction to the Species Report opposite.

The circulation of Scopus has been increasing steadily since its launching
early in 1977. A welcome development during 1979 and 1980 has been the number
of contributions dealing with neighbouring countries. Together with The Ostrich,
Malimbus (journal of the West African Ornithological Society), The Cormorant
(journal of the African Seabird Group) and Sandgrouse (journal of the Middle
East Ornithological Society), Scopus completes a set of regional ornithological
publications which could between them cover the whole Afrotropical Region. It
is becoming clear that, in addition to serving the needs of the three East
African countries, Scopus should provide an outlet for material from north-
eastern Africa and Rwanda-Burundi. The future of the journal is viewed increas-
ingly in this perspective.

D.J. Pearson, Chairman, Ornithological Sub-Committee, E.A.N.H.S.

East African Bird Report 1980 103

SPECIES REPORT

Observers are asked to send in their records from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda
for this report to the recorders who are listed inside the back cover. Guide-
lines for the type of records required are given in the Scopus Supplement of
December 1979, copies of which are still available, free of charge, from
D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi. The sub-committee's Birds of East Africa will
also be found useful for determining the importance of records.

Each species is followed by a code letter which will make the reason for the
inclusion of each record clear:

: S: SCARCE species for which all records are required and,
if satisfactory, are published.

R: species of special interest which are not regarded as
scarce but for which all records are REQUESTED. Records
in this category may sometimes be published in summary.

E: records showing an EXTENSION of range, or from areas
where the species is scarce.

N: records included for their NUMERICAL interest, either
especially large numbers or accurate counts.

D: records of migrants where the DATES given are of interest.

M: records of MISCELLANEOUS interest.

Also, all records will fall into one of the following categories:

i. Those supported by a specimen, available for study.
ii. Those supported by a detailed description and possibly
by parts of the bird, in cases where the whole bird

could not be retained.

iii. Those of a trapped bird, which is later released, supported
by a detailed description and measurements and, if possible,
photographs of the bird in the hand.

iv. Sight records.

In the case of specimen records, the person submitting the record should
state where the specimen has been deposited.

For sight records of very scarce birds certain criteria should be met: for
species previously recorded less than five times in East Africa, or less than
ten times in sub-Saharan Africa, an attempt should be made to (a) photograph
the bird, if at all possible, and (b) obtain corroboration from at least one
other independent observer. A substantiating description of the bird should be
submitted and the reasons for discarding other similar species should be given.

The sub-committee will consider sufficiently substantiated sight records of
very scarce birds from a single observer provided that his/her reliability can
be vouched for by at least two independent authorities.

Where necessary, descriptions and photographs will be sent to independent
referees for adjudication. It is the sub-committee's wish, and responsibility,
to ensure that all sight records published in these reports will stand the
most stringent scrutiny.

AFROTROPICAL AND OCEANIC SPECIES

PODICIPEDIDAE: Grebes
Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe E: 1 near Thika, 15 Nov (BSM), unusual
in the area.

Scopus 4: 103-120, July 1981

104 East African Bird Report 1980

Podiceps nigricollis Black-necked Grebe R: 1 juv Lake Jipe, 16 Aug (DAT), 50+
Lake Bogoria during Nov (DAT, DEW).

PROCELLARIIDAE: Petrels and shearwaters

[Puffinus pacificus Wedge-tailed Shearwater: 3 large dark brown shearwaters
seen at 150-200m from a boat 3km off Ras Ngomeni, 19 Oct, were thought to
have been this species (RDM).

HYDROBATIDAE: Storm Petrels
Oceanites oceanicus Wilson's Storm Petrel: 1 at sea some 3km off Malindi, 6
Apr was the first record for East Africa (PLB), see Scopus 5: 31.

SULIDAE: Boobies
Sula sula Red-footed Booby S: 1 imm some 3km off Malindi, c. 16 Nov (HAB, PLB).

FREGATIDAE: Frigatebirds
Fregata sp. S: unidentified imms at Robinson Island and Watamu, 17 Apr were

possibly the same individual (HAB, PLB), and at Shanzu Beach, Mombasa on
9 Nov (PT).

ARDEIDAE: Herons, bitterns and egrets
Ixobrychus minutus payesii Little Bittern R: common in the Molo swamp, Lake
Baringo from June to mid-August (TS).

Ixobrychus sturmii Dwarf Bittern R: 1 at pools in the Sokoke Forest, 15 Apr
(HAB, PLB), 1 Ngulia 16 Apr (DJP), 1 The Ark 4 May (ADL), 1 at a pool on the
Magadi road 17 May (ADL) and 1 Ngulia, 2 Dec (DJP).

Ardeola idae Madagascar Squacco Heron R: the extreme dates were 16 Apr - 9 Dec.
1 Ngulia, 16 Apr (DJP), about 25 Mwea Rice Scheme, 14 June (JDG), 1 Nairobi
NP, 20 Jun (PBT), 1 Kikambala, 12, 14 and 22 Jun (HAB, PLB, DAT) and 3 there
on 18 Jun (HAB, PLB), 2 Thika oxidation ponds, 12 Jly (BSM), 1 Meru NP, 4 Aug
(DAT), 1 Shaba Reserve, 14 Aug (EDT), 1 Mara GR, 14 Aug (DAT), 1 Lake Nakuru,
27 Aug (HAB, PLB), 1 Bamburi, 17 and 28 Sep and 1 and 22 Nov (HAB, PLB),

1 Nandi Hills, 9 Dec is the latest record for East Africa (HAB, PLB).

Ardeola rufiventris Rufous-bellied Heron E: 1 Mara GR, 24 Jly (NSP) is the first
record for western Kenya and was substantiated by an excellent photograph.

Egretta ardesiaca Black Heron R: INLAND RECORDS: 1 Ferguson's Gulf, Lake Turk-
ana, 27 Jan (DAT), 30 Shombole swamp, 31 Aug (DKR), 1 west side of Lake
Naivasha, 10 Dec (DEW), 1 Amboseli marshes, 16 Dec (ADL); at Lake Jipe it
was present throughout the year (DAT).

COASTAL RECORDS: 12 Gazi mud flats, 15 Mar (HAB, PLB), 2 Mtwapa, 14 Jun (HAB,
PLB), 2 Bamburi, 6 Oct (HAB, PLB) and 2 Mida Creek, 29 Dec (HAB, PLB).

Egretta gularis African Reef Heron S: INLAND RECORD: 1 white phase at Lake
Baringo from the beginning of the year to early Mar (TS).
COASTAL RECORDS: 1 dark phase Mida Creek, 20 Jan (HAB, PLB), 1 dark and 1
white there on 23 Feb, 1 dark there on 6 Jly (HAB, PLB), i white there on
18 Aug (MB, DAT) and 3 white phase in Malindi Harbour, 27 Dec (DAT).

CICONIIDAE: Storks

Anastomus lamelligerus Open-billed Stork E, N: notable records away from the
Lake Victoria basin were 650 Aruba area, Tsavo East, 9 Feb increasing to
900, 27 Apr (HAB, PLB), 300 over the Ngong Road, Nairobi, 1 Jun (ADL),
35 over Gede, 5 Jly (HAB, PLB), 30 moving east over Timau, 9 Nov (DJP),
300 Aruba Dam and 400 Sala Gate, Tsavo East, 22 Dec (HAB, PLB, DAT).
Singles in Nairobi NP, 12 Jan, 27 Jly, 28 Sep, 19 and 21 Dec (PLB, RDM).

Ciconia abdimii Abdim's Stork E, D: 1 Bamburi, 3 Jan (PLB). First arrivals in
Mara GR, 50+, 17 Nov (DAT).

East African Bird Report 1980 105

Ciconia episcopus Woolly-necked Stork E: records away from Tsavo and the coast:
1 Meru NP, 8 Jun (DAT), 3 Nairobi NP, 8 Aug (RDM), 1 Mara GR, 19 Nov (DAT),
1 on a Kiambu farm dam, 24 Dec (BSM).

THRESKIORNITHIDAE: Ibises and spoonbills

Bostrychia olivacea Green Ibis E: Amani, East Usambaras: 3 records in Apr (SNS,
JMS) and 1 during Sep (SNS, TAvdW); although known from the area, it is very
rarely seen.

ANATIDAE: Ducks and geese
Dendocygna bicolor Fulvous Whistling Duck N: flocks of 70-130, Dandora sewage
works, Nairobi, Jan, Mar, Apr, Jly, Aug, Oct and Nov (DJP).

Anas sparsa African Black Duck E: 1 Dodwe River, Amani Botanical Gardens, alt.
500m, 25 Jan (SNS, JMS).

Thalassornis leuconotus White-backed Duck E: about 80 Lake Paradise, Marsabit,
17 Mar (ADL, DJP).

-ACCIPITRIDAE: Birds of prey
Circus ranivorus African Marsh Harrier E: 1 Sabaki, 15 Apr (HAB, PLB).

Circaetus cinerascens Banded Snake Eagle E: 1 Kibwezi Forest, 18 Feb (DJP).

Circaetus fasciolatus Southern Banded Snake Eagle E: seen daily at Mazumbai,
West Usambaras 31 Oct - 4 Nov, only the second record for the area (SNS).

Circaetus gallicus beaudouini Beaudouin's Snake Eagle E: 1 east of Aruba Dan,
excellent views of the bird perched and in flight, 8 and 10 Feb (HAB, PLB).

Accipiter minullus Little Sparrowhawk M: 1 watched eating a Speckled Mousebird
Colius striatus in a Lavington, Nairobi, garden, 4 Dec (DAT).

Butastur rufipennis Grasshopper Buzzard R: 1 Ferguson's Gulf, 26 Jan (PLB, TS,
DAT) . Numerous records Wamba, Isiolo, Mtito Andei and Tsavo NP, 3 Nov - mid
Dec (GCB, BSM, DJP, DAT, DEW).

Buteo augur Augur Buzzard E: 1 over the Pemba River, inland from Kwale, 20 Jly
(HAB, PLB); alt of locality was only 150m - considerably lower than the
Shimba Hills (where it occurs regularly).

Buteo tachardus Mountain Buzzard E: 1 Morningside, Uluguru Mts, 4-5 Jan (SNS,
TAvdW), 1 Chyulu Hills, 30 Jly (RDM, PL).

Hieraaetus dubius Ayres' Hawk Eagle E: imm seen daily Shume Forest, West
Usambaras, 11-22 Mar (SNS, JMS), 1 Sokoke Forest, 5 Apr (HAB, PLB) and also
recorded from Mrima Hill (HAB, PLB - see Scopus 4: 73-78).

Aviceda cuculoides Cuckoo Hawk R: seen regularly in the Nairobi area (Karura
Forest, Chiromo campus, Karen college and suburban gardens) throughout the
year (FN, DJP, DAT). Coastal records, from Sokoke, Gede, Shimba Hills and
Diani, 25 Jun, 6 and 20 Jly, 14 Aug respectively (HAB, PLB, DAT, FN). 1 at
base of the Sirimon track, Mt Kenya, 24 Sep (ADL).

Chelictinia riocourii Swallow-tailed Kite R: numerous sightings this year of
the Suswa population, particularly at the south end of Lake Nakuru NP where
there was a max of 14 on 10 Feb (RP); near Mt Suswa, many sightings from
May - Aug, max 24 on 24 May (JDG). From other localities there were 2 south
of Maralal, 20 Jan (BSM), 2 Robinson Island, north of Malindi, 6 Feb (DAT)
would appear to be the first coast record, about 70 El Molo Bay, Lake Turk-
ana, 19 Aug (MACC) and 1 Samburu GR, 10 Nov (DAT).

Macheiramphus alcinus Bat Hawk R: pair seen throughout the year Lake Baringo
Lodge (TS) and 1 resident in a colony of fruit bats at Amani Botanical

106 East African Bird Report 1980

Gardens, alt. 500m (SNS, JCH, JMS). Singles at Diani, Feb, Mar and Sep
(MACC) and at Jamhuri Park, Nairobi and Nairobi NP on 2 and 19 Oct (BSM,
DJP). 1 seen daily, Langata, 7-24 Nov (ST, see Scopus 5: 56).

FALCONIDAE: Falcons

Falco alopex Fox Kestrel R: i Lake Nakuru, 5 Jan (DS), 1 Mt Baio (75km west
of Laisamis), 22 Jun (JDG) and singles at Loiengalani and Sirrima Gorge
during ‘Operation Drake', Jly - Aug (OD, FA).

Falco chicquera Red-necked Falcon E: a pair and an imm in the Dida Galgalla
desert some 50km north of Marsabit, 17 Mar (ADL, DJP).

Falco cuvieri African Hobby R: 1 Lake Baringo, 25 Apr and frequently during
May (TS).

Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon M: records of the race minor: 1 over Kitovu
Forest, near Taveta, 16 Aug (DAT) and 1 Ngurdoto Crater, 11 Sep (SNS, TAvdw).

Falco rupicoloides White-eyed Kestrel M: 1 Burnt Forest, Eldoret, 1 Feb (BSM),
10+ Dida Galgalla desert, 17 Mar (DJP) and 1 Isiolo, 19 Mar (DJP).

PHASIANIDAE: Quails, francolins
Francolinus psilolaemus Moorland Francolin E: 3 on moorland, Sirimon Track,
Mt Kenya, 24 Sep (ADL) was the first record from the mountain for many years.

TURNICIDAE: Button Quails

Turnix sylvatica Button Quail D, M: 1 Seronera, Serengeti, 20 Jan (OP) and 1
there on i Mar (DAT), 1 Ngulia, 16 Apr (DJP), 1 Mara GR, 1 Jun (BSM), 1 Meru
NP, 8 Jun (DAT), 1 Mara GR, 17 Jun (DAT), 1 Nairobi NP, 20 Jun (PBT) and 1
there on 13 Sep (ADL) and singles at Ngulia, 7 and 31 Dec (GCB, DJP).

RALLIDAE: Rails and crakes
Crex egregia African Crake M: numerous in the Mara GR, 17 Jun and 24 Jly (DAT,
NP). 1 Nairobi NP, 20 Jun (PBT).

Gallinula angulata Lesser Moorhen M, D: numerous records from the Nairobi and
Thika areas during May - June (many observers) and up to 6 on seasonal pools
at Kikambala, late May to mid Jun (HAB, PLB). 2 Mara GR, 17 Jun and 5 Lake
Jipe, 21 Jun (both DAT).

Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen E: several in Mukuta swamp, Lake Baringo,
Sep - Dec (TS), rarely recorded at Baringo.

Porphyrio alleni Allen's Gallinule R: 1 Nairobi NP, 13 Jan (FN). 200-300 Lake
Baringo, Jun - Jly, rapidly decreasing in early Aug and 1 there on 28 Oct
(TS).

Rallus caerulescens African Water Rail M: singles in Nairobi NP, 28 Sep, 11
Oct and 2 Nov and i Lake Nakuru, 3 Oct (all ADL).

Sarothrura boehmi Streaky-breasted Pygmy Crake S: a female flushed from a
Swampy area at Wilson Airport, Nairobi, 8 Jun (FN).

Sarothrura pulchra White-spotted Pygmy Crake R: calling in Kakamega Forest
15 Jun, 24 Jly and 10 Aug (DAT, ADL).

Sarothrura rufa Red-chested Pygmy Crake R: pair in a swampy field near Arusha
during Oct and Nov (JSSB).

JACANIDAE: Jacanas

Microparra capensis Lesser Jacana R: notable records away from Lake Jipe were:
1 on the Pemba River, Kwale, 13 Apr (MACC) and 1 at a small dam near Bamburi
17 Sep to the end of the year (HAB, PLB).

East African Bird Report 1980 107

ROSTRATULIDAE: Painted Snipes

Rostratula benghalensis Painted Snipe R: 1 Lake Jipe, 17 Feb (DJP), 1 Nairobi
NP, 7 Apr (ADL), 1-2 Lake Baringo during Jun and 2 there on 7 Oct (TS), and
1 near Ramisi, south coast, 4 Oct (PLB).

CHARADRIIDAE: Plovers
Vanellus crassirostris Long-toed Plover E: 2 Lake Baringo during Dec (TS) and
a few pairs seen Shombole swamp, 31 Aug (DKR); both new localities.

SCOLOPACIDAE: Sandpipers, snipes
Gallinago nigripennis African Snipe M: 1 drumming, Uplands, Limuru, 28 Jun

DROMADIDAE: Crab Plover

Dromas ardeola Crab Plover N: selected counts at Mida Creek were as follows:
380: 20 Jan; 3: 13 Jly; 15: 22 Aug; 250: 18 Oct; 320: 29 Dec (HAB, PLB).
Other records were: about 50 Kunduchi, Dar es Salaam, early Feb (OP),
2 Ras Iwetine, 6 Feb, 29 Mar and 27 Jun (HAB, PLB), 2 Bamburi, 5 Oct (HAB,
PLB) and about 40 at Ras Ngomeni, 17 Oct (RDM).

GLAREOLIDAE: Coursers and pratincoles
Rhinoptilus chalcopterus Violet-tipped Courser E, D: 1 Meru NP, 8 Jun (DAT).

Glareola ocularis Madagascar Pratincole D, N: first seen at Mida on 9 Apr and
last seen on the Kenya coast at Mrima Hill, where 6 flew south on 19 Sep
(HAB, PLB). Selected Sabaki counts were: 180: 15 Apr; 2000: 24 Jun reducing
to 500 on 19 Aug and 80 on 14 Sep (HAB, PLB, DAT).

LARIDAE: Gulls and terns

Larus hemprichii Sooty Gull N: max Kenya counts were 580 at Ras Iwetine on
23 Jan, 260 at Malindi fish market on 3 Feb and 90 at Sabaki on 19 Aug
(HAB, PLB).

Anous stolidus Common Noddy R: small numbers off Diani 12 Jan, during Mar and
5 Apr (MACC), few off Mbudya Island, Dar es Salaam 7 Feb (OP), 100 off Mal-
indi 6 Apr (PLB) and 1 off Ras Ngomeni 19 Oct (RDM).

Anous tenuirostris Lesser Noddy S: about 30 off Malindi 6 Apr (PLB).

Chlidonias hybridus delalandii Whiskered Tern E: 15 in full breeding plumage,
Lari swamp near Limuru, 28 May but only 3 there on 28 Jun (DAT, PBT, BSM).

Sterna albifrons Little Tern N: INLAND: 500+ Ferguson's Gulf, Lake Turkana,
26-27 Jan (DAT, PLB, TS). Selected coastal counts: 1800 Malindi fish market,
20 Jan, 1200 Gazi flats, 15 Mar, 80 Kisite Island, 16 Mar, 5000 Sabaki, 16
Nov and on 28 Dec there were 4000 at Malindi fish market and 1000 at Sabaki
(all HAB, PLB).

Sterna anaethetus Bridled Tern R: about 40 off Malindi, 6 Apr (PLB) and small
numbers off Diani, 5 Apr and during Sep and Nov (MACC).

Sterna bergii Crested Tern: selected counts of S.b. velox N: 14 Malindi fish
market, 6 Jan; Sabaki, 40 on 16 Feb, 10 on 30 Jun, 20 on 5 Jly and 5 on 28
Dec. All records of S.b. thalassina E: 1 Kisite Island, 16 Mar and 1 Mtwapa
Creek, 26 Nov (all HAB, PLB).

Sterna fuscata Sooty Tern R: 2 flying S off Ras Ngomeni, 17 Oct and 3 Kisite
Island, 10 Nov (both RDM).

Sterna repressa White-cheeked Tern R: 2 off Malindi, 6 Apr (PLB), 2 Malindi
fish market, 7 Apr, 1 Ras Iwetine, 25 Apr, 20 Kilifi, 25 May and a few at
Malindi fish market, 18 Oct (7 Apr - 18 Oct records: HAB, PLB).

108 East African Bird Report 1980

RHYNCHOPIDAE: Skimmers

Rhynchops flavirostris African Skimmer R: Sabaki: 27 on 16 Feb, 11 on 23 Mar,
9 on 8 Apr, 28 on 15 Apr, 1 on 23 Aug, 9 on 16 Nov, 25+ on 14 Dec (HAB, PLB,
DEW). Mida: 1 on 13 Dec (DEW). Lake Jipe: about 20 on 21 Jun and 16 Aug
(DAT). Lake Baringo: 2-4 daily, 2-19 Jan, 4 on 17 Jun and 1-3 daily, 5 Oct
to 27 Dec (TS). Lake Turkana: few at Ferguson's Gulf, 26-27 Jan (DAT, PLB,
TS); during 'Operation Drake' recorded on the E shore near Moiti and on
North Island (where 2 collected) during Jly and Aug (OD, FA).

COLUMBIDAE: Pigeons and doves
Columba arquatrix Olive Pigeon M: 5 Meru NP, 7 Jun must have been wanderers
from higher altitudes (DAT).

Columba delegorguei Bronze-naped Pigeon M: extending commonly as low as 300m
in the foothills of the Usambaras during Feb (SNS, JMS).

Turtur afer Blue-spotted Wood Dove E: i Amani, East Usambaras, 30 Jan (SNS,
JMS), very scarce in this locality.

PSITTACIDAE: Parrots and lovebirds
Poicephalus gulielmi Red-fronted Parrot E: 2 Ngorongoro Forest Hotel, 16 Jan
(OP), very scarce at this locality.

MUSOPHAGIDAE: Turacos
Tauraco leucolophus White-crested Turaco D, E: 2 Lake Baringo, 18-21 Jly (TS)
and 3 near Soi, 7 Aug (DAT).

CUCULIDAE: Cuckoos and coucals
Cercococcyx montanus Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo R: 1 Tiwi, south coast, 12 Nov
(RDM) .

Clamator glandarius Great Spotted Cuckoo R: only records between May and Aug
are given: 4-5, including 2 newly-fledged young in Meru NP, 6-8 Jun (DAT)
and common at Lake Baringo throughout May - Aug (TS).

Clamator jacobinus Black and White Cuckoo R: common throughout eastern Kenya
Jan - Feb and Nov - Dec (GCB, DJP, DAT). Other noteworthy records were:
1 Kisumu, 31 May (BSM), 2 Meru NP, 5 Jun (DAT), 1 Ahero, near Kisumu, 16 Jun
(DAT), a few Lake Baringo Jun, Aug and Nov (DAT) and 1 Lake Naivasha 18 Nov
(DEW) .

Clamator levaillantii Levaillant's Cuckoo R: 1 Kunduchi, Dar es Salaam, 7 Feb
(OP), singles on the Kenya coast on 9 Apr, 20 and 23 Aug, 18 Sep and 25 Nov
(HAB, PLB, RDM, DAT) and 1 Lake Baringo, 16 Aug (TS).

Cuculus clamosus Black Cuckoo R: nominate race birds seen: 1 Isiolo, 8 Nov
(DJP), 1 south of Isiolo, 9 Nov (DJP), 2-3 Namanga, 24 Nov (DJP) and singles
at Naivasha, 21 Nov and 9 Dec (DAT, DEW). An example of the race gabonensis
was seen in Kakamega Forest on 15 Jun (DAT).

Cuculus gularis African Cuckoo R: 1 Mtito Andei, 16 Feb (DJP), 1 Laisamis area,
16 and 18 Mar (DJP), 1 calling Ndutu Lodge, Serengeti, 28 Feb - 2 Mar (DAT),
newly-fledged juvenile at Lake Baringo Lodge, 5-7 Aug (DAT, TS) and 1 Sam-
buru GR, 9 Nov (DAT).

Ceuthmochares aereus Yellowbill D: coastal records between 31 May and 4 Oct,
being particularly common at Mrima Hill, south coast (HAB, PLB).

Centropus grillii Black Coucal R: 1-2 Lake Baringo, 11 Jun - 10 Aug was a new
record for the area (TS). ©

STRIGIDAE: Owls
Bubo poensis vosseleri Nduk Eagle Owl S: 1 Mazumbai, West Usambaras, 10 Dec
(SNS) .

East African Bird Report 1980 109

Otus leucotis White-faced Scops Owl R: 1 collected at Eliye Springs, Lake
Turkana, 20 Sep (OD) and a pair seen in the Molo swamp, Lake Baringo, 28
Nov (TS, DEW).

CAPRIMUGIDAE: Nightjars

Caprimulgus clarus Slender-tailed Nightjar R: present all year at Meru NP,
Samburu GR and Lake Baringo (DAT, TS, DEW). At Ngulia, 1 ringed on 9 Nov and
another on 31 Dec (GCB, DJP).

Caprimulgus donaldsoni Donalson-Smith's Nightjar R: 7 ringed at Ngulia between
9 Nov and 31 Dec (GCB, DJP).

Caprimulgus fraenatus Dusky Nightjar R: common all year in the Arusha District
of northern Tanzania (JSSB); 7 ringed at Ngulia from 16 Nov to 31 Dec (GCB,
DJP).

Caprimulgus inornatus Plain Nightjar R: 18 ringed at Ngulia from 7 Nov to
9 Dec (GCB, DJP); present in Meru NP in Dec (DJP).

Caprimulgus nubicus Nubian Nightjar R: 2 ringed at Ngulia, 4-5 Dec (GCB, DUP);
2 dead on road in Meru NP, 21 Dec (DJP).

APODIDAE: Swifts and spinetails

Apus melba Alpine Swift M: although their provenance is not known, the following
are included here: 3 over Sokoke Forest, 6 Jan (HAB, PLB) and 2 there on 27
Dec in company with Eurasian Swifts A.apus (DAT).

Schoutedenapus myoptilus Scarce Swift E: a few seen most evenings between 5 and
15 Mar, Mazumbai, West Usambaras (DAT).

COLIIDAE: Mousebirds
Colius leucocephalus White-headed Mousebird R: 10 near Maktau Gate, Tsavo West
NP, 16 Aug (DAT).

TROGONIDAE: Trogons
Apaloderma narina Narina's Trogon E: 1 Lake Baringo, mid April and 24 Aug was
new for the locality (TS).

ALCEDINIDAE: Kingfishers
Ceryle maxima Giant Kingfisher E: 1 Pemba River, inland from Kwale, 20 Jly
(HAB, PLB).

Alcedo semitorquata Half-collared Kingfisher E: still present in Kitovu Forest,
near Taveta on 16 Aug (1 seen) despite heavy forest destruction (DAT).

Halcyon albiventris Brown-hooded Kingfisher M: 1-2 pairs present throughout
the year in City Park, Nairobi (FN).

Ispidina picta Pygmy Kingfisher D: coastal records of netted examples of the
race natalensis were as follows: Diani Forest: 7, 31 May - 1 June and 3,
19-20 Sep; Mrima Hill: 3, 1-2 Jun and 2, 2-3 Aug (all HAB, PLB).

MEROPIDAE: Bee-eaters

Merops nubicus Carmine Bee-eater D: singles at Lake Baringo on 9 Mar, 20 and
30 Jly, then a few in Aug and almost daily from 24 Nov to 31 Dec (TS). First
arrival at the coast, 5 Jly (HAB, PLB); 2 Samburu GR, 14 Dec (DKR).

Merops superciliosus Madagascar Bee-eater D: 6-7 Shombole swamp, 31 Aug (DKR).

CORACIIDAE: Rollers
Coracias abyssinica Abyssinian Roller E: 1 at Lake Baringo throughout Jan and
Baem. 23 Dec (TS).

Eurystomus glaucurus Broad-billed Roller D: Oct-Dec, Mazumbai (SNS).

110 East African Bird Report 1980

BUCEROTIDAE: Hornbills
Bycanistes bucinator Trumpeter Hornbill E: 2 near Ramisi, 4 Oct (HAB, PLB) ;
1 Mazumbai, West Usambaras, 14 Dec was the first for many years (SNS).

Bucorvus abyssinicus Abyssinian Ground Hornbill M: 2 Lake Baringo, Apr and May
(TS).

Bucorvus cafer Ground Hornbill M: 5-6 Jombo Hill, south of Kwale, 20 Sep (MACC).

CAPITONIDAE: Barbets and tinkerbirds
Buccanodon leucotis White-eared Barbet E: 1 Diani Forest, late Oct (MACC).

Lybius guifsobalito Black-billed Barbet E: 1 at base of escarpment 50km east
of Kisumu, 11 Aug (DAT).

Lybius melanocephalus Black-throated Barbet E: 1 Hippo Pools, Nairobi NP, 13
Sep (ADL).

Pogoniulus simplex Green Tinkerbird M: common in the forests of the East
Usambara foothills during Feb (SNS, JMS).

Trachyphonus vaillantii Levaillant's Barbet E: small numbers breeding Mazumbai,
West Usambaras, Nov - Dec (SNS).

INDICATORIDAE: Honeyguides

Indicator meliphilus Pallid Honeyguide R: 1 netted in Sigi Forest, East Usam-
bara foothills, 8 Feb, at 300m (SNS, JMS); 1 in the Pugu Hills, 18 Oct
(SNS, KMH, NEB).

PICIDAE: Woodpeckers and wrynecks

Jynx ruficollis Red-breasted Wryneck M:fairly common in Tinganga coffee estate,
Kiambu, particularly in Sep (ADL) and also among dead acacias at the south
end of Lake Nakuru NP throughout the year (DAT).

Campethera abingoni Golden-tailed Woodpecker E: 1 at Buffalo Camp, Mara River,
1 Jun was the first recorded in the Mara for many years (BSM).

EURYLAIMIDAE: Broadbills

Smithornis capensis African Broadbill M: common in the East Usambara foothill
forests, Jan - Feb (SNS, JMS), 3 calling in the Pugu Hills Forest, 18 Oct
(SNS, KMH, NEB) and 1 calling at Mazumbai, West Usambaras, 24 Nov (SNS).

PITTIDAE: Pittas
Pitta angolensis African Pitta R: 1 found exhausted at Ngare Sero near Arusha,
27 May (JSSB). First arrival on the Kenya coast: 24 Jun, Gede (DAT).

ALAUDIDAE: Larks
Eremopterix leucotis Chestnut-backed Sparrow Lark N: flock of 20+ near Sala
Gate, Tsavo East NP, 26 Nov (DAT).

Eremopterix signata Chestnut-headed Sparrow Lark E: small group, Diani Beach,
south coast, 2 Jun (PLB, MACC).

HIRUNDINIDAE: Swallows and martins
Hirundo angolensis Angola Swallow E: singles at Dandora sewage works, Nairobi,
2 Jly and 6 Aug (ADL).

Hirundo semirufa Rufous-chested Swallow E: 1 near Hell's Gate, Naivasha, 12
Aug (DAT).

Phedina borbonica Mascarene Martin S: 2nd mainland East African record: 1 with
a flock of Striped Swallows Hirundo abyssinica at Watamu, 23 Jun, was photo-
graphed (DAT).

East African Bird Report 1980 S23

Riparia cincta Banded Martin E: a few Ferguson's Gulf, Lake Turkana, 27 Jan
(PLB, DAT) and-a few Samburu GR, 26 Sep (DKR).

ORIOLIDAE: Orioles
Oriolus auratus African Golden Oriole D: first arrivals at the coast (Sokoke
Forest), 23 Feb; last coast record, 26 Sep at Shimo-la-Tewa (HAB, PLB).

Oriolus chlorocephalus Green-headed Oriole M: common in small forest patch at
900m at northern end of the Ulugurus above Morogoro, 11 Jan (SNS, TAvdwW).

CORVIDAE: Crows
Corvus capensis Cape Rook E: i Limuru town, 10 Dec (RDM).

TIMALIIDAE: Babblers
Trichastoma rufipennis Pale-breasted Illadopsis M: common throughout the East
Usambara foothill forests, Jan - Feb (SNS, JMS).

Turdoides hypoleucus Northern Pied Babbler E: 1 Amani, 24 Feb (SNS).

CAMPEPHAGIDAE: Cuckoo Shrikes
Campephaga flava Black Cuckoo Shrike D, M: 1 netted at night, Ngulia, 15 Nov
(GCB, DJP).

PYCNONOTIDAE: Bulbuls
Andropadus gracilis Little Grey Greenbul E: 1 at Kakamega Forest, 25 Jly (ADL)
and a pair there on 10 Aug (DAT).

Andropadus masukuensis Shelley's Greenbul M: common down to 500m in the East
Usambara foothill forests during Jan (SNS, JMS).

Andropadus milanjensis Stripe-cheeked Greenbul M: small numbers down to 500m
in the East Usambara foothill forests during Jan (SNS, JMS).

Phyllastrephus placidus Olive Mountain Greenbul M: a few observed down to 500m
in the East Usambara foothill forests during Jan (SNS, JMS).

TURDIDAE: Thrushes, robins etc.
Alethe fuelleborni White-chested Alethe M: observed commonly down to 500m in
the East Usambara foothill forests during Jan (SNS, JMS).

Cossypha natalensis Red-capped Robin Chat D: first and last Kenya coast dates
were 1 May and 8 Nov (MACC, PLB).

Dryocichloides montanus Usambara Ground Robin N: an idea of its abundance in the
West Usambara forests is provided by the total of 65 ringed at Shume (SNS,JMS).

Modulatrix orostruthus Dappled Mountain Robin S: 5 netted at Amani in Apr and 1
in Sep (SNS).

Pogonocichla stellata White-starred Forest Robin M, E: 1 imm in 'green', as
opposed to 'spangled', plumage, Sigi Forest, 300m, 11 Feb (SNS, JMS).
Adults and imms netted at Mrima Hill, coastal Kenya, 300m in Aug - Sep
(HAB, PLB, see also Scopus 4: 73-78).

Turdus fischeri Spotted Ground Thrush D: numerous records from Kenyan coastal
forests; extreme dates: 31 May and 21 Sep (HAB, PLB, RDM, DAT).

Turdus gurneyi Orange Ground Thrush E: extensions of range to the West Usam-
baras (SNS, DAT and see Scopus 4: 36-41) and the south Kenya coast at Mrima
Hill (HAB, PLB and see Scopus 4: 73-78).

Turdus pelios African Thrush E: 1 Kitale, 9 Aug (DAT), 1 Lake Nakuru NP, 3 Oct
(ADL) .

Turdus piaggiae Abyssinian Ground Thrush E: 1 Chemoni Forest, Nandi Hills, 10
Dec (PLB).

112 East African Bird Report 1980

SYLVIIDAE: Warblers
Acrocephalus baeticatus African Reed Warbler D, M: 1 ringed at Ngulia, 30 Dec
(GCB, DJP).

Apalis moreaui Long-billed Apalis M: the only examples encountered during the
year at Amani were singles on 8 and 23 Feb (SNS, JMS).

Bathmocercus winifredae Mrs Moreau's Warbler M: a few in forest above Morning-
side, Ulugurus, in Jan (SNS, TAvdwW).

Eremomela scotops Green-capped Eremomela E: 3 in Brachystegia at Sokoke Forest,
20 Apr (HAB, PLB) is one of very few records from this locality.

Hyliota australis Southern Hyliota E: a pair in the canopy in Sigi Forest,
East Usambara foothills, 7 Feb was apparently the first record of the race
usambarae since the type was described from Amani in 1932 (SNS, JCH, JMS).
There were numerous records of the race slatini from the Kakamega Forest
throughout the year (DAT, ADL, TS).

Macrosphenus kretschmeri Kretschmer's Longbill M: recorded in E and NE Tanzania
as follows: 11 Jan, common in a small patch of forest at the north end of the
Ulugurus above Morogoro (SNS, TAvdW), common in the East Usambara foothill
forests in Feb (SNS, JMS), common at forest edge at Ambangulu, West Usam-
baras in Apr (SNS, JMS) and common in the Pugu Hills Forest, 18 Oct (SNS,
KMH, NEB).

Schoenicola platyura Fan-tailed Warbler E: 1 in dry grassland at Lake Nakuru
NP, 11 and 28 Aug (DAT, HAB, PLB).

Sylvietta isabellina Somali Long-billed Crombec E: 1 about 10km west of Lai-
samis, 20 Jun (JDG).

Sylvietta virens Green Crombec E: 2 seen in Kakamega Forest, 1-2 Jun were the
first proper records for Kenya (JDG and see Scopus 4: 47).

MUSCICAPIDAE: Flycatchers
Muscicapa caerulescens Ashy Flycatcher M: 1 in Sigi Forest, East Usambara
foothills, 11 Feb (SNS, JMS).

Muscicapa gambagae Gambaga Flycatcher S: recorded at Lerata (the Wamba turn-
off, north of Archer's Post) as follows: 1 on 18-19 Mar, 5-6 Apr and 2-3
(including one juv) 9 Nov and another on the same date 10km south (ADL,
DJP, DAT and see Scopus 4: 96); 1 juv caught and ringed at night at Ngulia,
8 Nov during a heavy passage of Spotted Flycatchers M. striata (GCB, DJP).

Myioparus plumbeus Lead-coloured Flycatcher E: 1-2 Lake Baringo during late
Dec was the first record for the area and the first for Kenya for many
years (TS).

Batis orientalis Grey-headed Batis R: a pair at Turbi, 17 Mar (DJP, ADL),
1 Meru NP, 7 Jun and 2-3 Aug (DAT) and 1 near Lake Baringo, 11 Dec (PLB).

Bias musicus Black and White Flycatcher M, E: common in the East Usambara
foothill forests during Feb (SNS, JMS), 1 Mazumbai, West Usambaras, mid-Mar
(DAT) and singles at Ambangulu, West Usambaras in Apr (SNS, JMS); a pair in
Brachystegia woodland, Mikumi NP in early Feb is an extension of range (OP).

Erythrocercus holochlorus Little Yellow Flycatcher M: common in the East Usam-
bara foothill forests during Feb (SNS, JMS).

Trochocercus cyanomelas Crested Flycatcher M: as previous species (SNS, JMS).

Trochocercus nigromitratus Dusky Crested Flycatcher E: 1 Chemoni Forest, Nandi
Hills, 10 Dec (PLB).

East African Bird Report 1980 113

MOTACILLIDAE: Wagtails, pipits and longclaws
Anthus leucophrys Plain-backed Pipit M: singles of the race goodsoni at Lake
Nakuru NP on 12 Nov and 15 Dec (DAT, HAB, PLB).

Tmetothylacus tenellus Golden Pipit E, D: quite common in Mikumi NP in early
Feb (OP); 3 ringed at Ngulia, Nov - Dec (GCB, DJP).

MALACONOTIDAE: Bush Shrikes
Malaconotus multicolor nigrifrons Black-fronted Bush Shrike E: pair near Saiwa
Swamp, 13 Jun (DAT) and 1 in a garden near Lavington, Nairobi, 5 Nov (BSM).

PRIONOPIDAE: Helmet Shrikes

Prionops poliolopha Grey-crested Helmet Shrike E: 5 at southeast corner of
Lake Nakuru NP, 2 Oct (ADL), 11 in the same Park, 9 Nov (IGM) and 6 at
Menengai Crater, Nakuru, 14 Dec (HAB, PLB).

Prionops scopifrons Chestnut-fronted Helmet Shrike M: common in the East Usam-
bara foothill forests during Feb (SNS, JMS).

STURNIDAE: Starlings and oxpeckers
Cinnyricinclus femoralis Abbott's Starling E: flock of 8 at The Ark, Aberdare
NP, 22 Jun (ADL).

Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Violet-backed Starling D, E: Kenya coast records
from 20 Feb - 30 Nov, but mainly Apr - Jly (HAB, PLB); a male on South Island,
Lake Turkana, 13 Sep (OD); 1 at Mazumbai, 16 Nov was the first record for the
West Usambaras (SNS).

Cosmopsarus regius Golden-breasted Starling E: a few on the Same-Mombo road in
the Mkomazi GR, 17 Mar (DAT).

Lamprotornis chalybaeus Blue-eared Glossy Starling E: 2 near Mida Creek, 20
Oct (HAB, PLB).

Onychognathus tenuirostris Slender-billed Chestnut-winged Starling M: seen
regularly near Morningside, Ulugurus, during Jan (SNS, TAvdwW).

Onychognathus walleri Waller's Chestnut-winged Starling M: seen as low as 300m
in the East Usambara foothill forests during Jan - Feb (SNS, JMS).

Speculipastor bicolor Magpie Starling D: several parties in bush country west
of Endau, 24-25 Feb (DJP); flocks of 20 at Sabaki and near Malindi, 9 Nov
(HAB, PLB); 1 just north of Nakuru, 1-2 Dec (RB).

Spreo fischeri Fischer's Starling E: a few on the Same-Mombo road in the
Mkomazi GR, 17 Mar (DAT).

NECTARINIIDAE: Sunbirds
Nectarinia famosa Malachite Sunbird E: 1 at Shume Forest, 1800m, West Usam-
baras, 13 Mar (JMS).

Nectarinia habessinica Shining Sunbird R: seen on a number of occasions between
Archer's Post and Mt Ololokwe during Mar, Apr and Nov (ADL, DJP, DAT, DEW);
1 Lake Baringo, 1 Feb (TS); 1 Mt Baio, 40km west of Laisamis, 21 Jun (JDG).

Nectarinia kilimensis Bronze Sunbird D, E: 1 Lake Baringo Lodge, 16 Apr to 5
May (TS) was the first record for the locality.

PLOCEIDAE: Weavers

Ploceus golandi Clarke's Weaver D: 15 netted in Sokoke Forest, 6 Jly (PLB) and
a few seen there on 25 Nov (DAT); the species is seldom recorded outside the
period Aug - Oct.

114 East African Bird Report 1980

Ploceus heuglini Heuglin's Masked Weaver E: male at nest 18km west of Bungoma
township, 1 Jun (JDG) and a male and 2-3 females building a nest near Soy,
7 Aug (DAT) were the first Kenya records for many years.

Ploceus olivaceiceps nicolli Usambara Weaver R: one pair at Shume Forest, West
Usambaras at 2100m, 8 Mar (SNS) and only recorded at Mazumbai in small
parties during Mar, Oct and Nov (SNS, DAT).

Passer domesticus House Sparrow E: 5-6 pairs breeding at Moi International
Airport, Mombasa in Feb and others seen at Mariakani, 20 Aug (DAT).

ESTRILDIDAE: Waxbills

Hypargos niveoguttatus Peters' Twinspot E: a few in the Morningside area of
the Ulugurus in Jan (SNS, TAvdW); common in the East Usambara foothill for-
ests in Feb (SNS, JMS); a small party at Mazumbai, 31 Oct was the first
record for the West Usambaras (SNS).

Mandingoa nitidula Green-backed Twinspot E: 1 at Mazumbai, 17 Nov was only the
second record for the West Usambaras (SNS).

Pyrenestes minor Lesser Seed-cracker E: an adult male at the forest edge, Pugu
Hills, 18 Oct was the first record for many years (SNS, KMH, NEB).

Spermophaga ruficapilla Red-headed Bluebill M: fairly common in the East Usam-
bara foothill forests in Jan and Feb (SNS, JMS).

FRINGILLIDAE: Buntings, canaries and seed-eaters
Emberiza poliopleura Somali Golden-breasted Bunting M: 1 caught and ringed at
night at Ngulia, 9 Nov (GCB, DUP).

Serinus burtoni Thick-billed Seed-eater E: present in forest on Mt Rungwe, SW
Tanzania, in Aug (FPJ).

Serinus reichardi Stripe-breasted Seed-eater R: 1 Lake Nakuru NP, 28 Aug (PLB).

PALAEARCTIC SPECIES
Abbreviations used: OPs = Oxidation Ponds; SW = Sewage Works

Ixobrychus minutus minutus Little Bittern R: 1 Nairobi NP, 10 May (ADL).
1 caught at night and 2 others seen by day at Ngulia, 7 Dec (DJP, BSM et al.);
an additional 14+ birds seen there at night, 7 Dec, and others recorded at
night on 3 Dec, 8 Dec and 14 Dec (DJP et al.) may have been Palaearctic.

Ciconia nigra Black Stork R: 1 Nairobi NP, 1 Jan (HAB, PLB), 2 on 12 Jan (DJP)
and 17 Jan (RDM), 6 on 19 Jan (DAT) and 1 on 2 Apr (ADL); 1 Ulu, 2 Jan (HAB,
PLB); 4 Enkare Nairoua (between Rumuruti and Maralal), 18 Jan (BSM);

1 Ngobit, 4 Apr (BSM).
1 Nairobi NP, 11-Oct and 2, 25 Oct (ADL, DJP); 2 Limuru, 27 Nov (BSM).

Anas acuta Pintail D, M: oversummering birds at Lake Naivasha, 15 Jun and
Dandora OPs, 2 Jly (ADL).
350+ came in to sand bars at Sabaki near dusk on 14 Dec (DW).
The last record is of an exceptionally large number for the coast.

Anas crecca Teal S: 14+ counted N shore of Lake Naivasha, 6 Jan and 26+ on 27
Jan (DJP); 7 there on 2 Feb (BSM) and 1 Oloiden Bay, 27 Jan (DJP); 2-5 Lake
Baringo most days 1 Jan - 5 Feb (TS); 1 Ol Bolossat, 19 Jan (MACC); 1 Dan-
dora OPs, 13 and 19 Jan (DJP, DAT); 2 Thika OPs, 20 Jan (BSM), 1 there on
3 Feb (RDM) and 6 Feb (BSM).

1 Thika OPs, 15 Nov and 1 on dam 20km E of Mt Suswa, 14 Dec (BSM). Several
shot at Lake Solai, late Nov - Dec (per PD).

Bast African Bird Report 1980 115

Anas penelope Wigeon S: 7 Lake Naivasha, 6 Jan (DJP); 7 Dandora OPs, 13 Jan
(DJP); 1 Njabeni, 20 Jan (DJP); 3-4 Ferguson's Gulf, Lake Turkana, 26-27
Jan (OS-C); 1 Eldoret, 1 Feb (BSM); 1 Baringo, 1 Feb (TS); 1 Thika OPs,

3 Feb (RDM).
2 Lake Baringo, 22 and 24 Nov, and 6 on 2 Dec (TS).

Anas querquedula Garganey N: about 700 on Katibanga estate, Makuyu, 26 Mar (DJP).
Large numbers have been seen in spring on this small dam in previous years.

Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck S: a pair DandoraOPs, 13 Jan (DJP); 1 Lake Bar-
ingo, 30 Jan (TS).

Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Snake Eagle S: 1 showing characteristics of the
nominate race near Aruba, Tsavo East NP, 9 Jan (HAB, PLB).

Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagle S: 1 seen at very close range in Nairobi
NP, 12 Jan (DJP). Plumage details suggest that this was the individual seen
at the same site in Dec 1979 (Scopus 3: 115).

The last word on the field separation of A.clanga from dark individuals of

A. pomerina has still to be written. All records are critically scrutinized

in the light of current knowledge of plumage phases of the two species, but

research may possibly necessitate a review of the Kenyan records at a future
date.

Aquila heliaca Imperial Eagle S: a juvenile seen at close range at Dandora OPs,
23 Nov (DJP, DEGB); an immature with Steppe Eagles A. nipalensis at Namanga,
24 Nov (ADL, DJP). ‘

This species has now been recorded annually in Kenya for the past five years.

Aquila pomerina Lesser Spotted Eagle R: 1 Nairobi NP, 1 Jan (HAB, PLB) and 12
Jan (DJP); 2 Lake Jipe, 2 Jan (RDM); 2 near Aruba, Tsavo East NP, 2 Jan (HAB,
PLB); 1 near Maralal, 20 Jan (BSM); 1 Yatta, 6 Feb (BSM); 1 Voi, 16 Feb (RDM).
Records from central Kenya and Tsavo West NP, 7 Nov to the end of the year,
with about 20 Isiolo, 8 Nov and 30+ there, 9 Nov (DJP, AEB), and at least 20
and 25 Ngulia - Mtito Andei on 16 and 17 Nov respectively (DJP).

The January-February records provide further evidence of overwintering.

Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Eagle R: 1 Shimo-la-Tewa, 25 Jan (HAB, PLB); Singles
Tsavo West NP, 18 Feb and 7 Apr (DJP); 1 Nairobi, 4 Mar (DJP).
1 Samburu, 26 Sep (DKR); 1 flew in off the sea, Ras Ngomeni, 18 Oct (RDM);
1 Samburu, 8 Nov (DJP, AEB); singles Ngulia, 14 and 16 Nov and 7 Dec (DJP,
AEB, GCB, BSM); singles Nairobi, 29 Nov and 13 Dec (ADL) and two dark phase
birds Nairobi NP, 29 Nov (BSM).
All were pale phase birds except where otherwise indicated.

Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard R: 1 Shimba Hills, 13 Jan (HAB, PLB) and 1
Sokoke, 9 Apr (DJP, PLB); 4 moving north over rift valley floor, 10km west
of Ngong Hills, 19 Apr (ADL) and 1 Westlands, Nairobi, 22 Apr.

Singles Shimo-la-Tewa, 8 Sep (HAB, PLB), Jombo Hill (south Kenya coast),
20 Sep (PLB), Sirimon Track, Mt Kenya, 24 Sep (ADL), Ukunda, 3 Oct (PLB),
Kilifi, 18 Oct (MACC), Gede, 15 Nov (PLB) and Shimba Hills, 12 Dec (DW).
An interesting series of records from coastal Kenya.

Pandion haliaetus Osprey D: birds apparently oversummering were seen at Mida
on 13 and 27 Jly (HAB, PLB) and at Lake Naivasha on 12 Aug (MB).

Falco amurensis Eastern Red-footed Falcon S: 1 Kamboyo, Tsavo West NP, 24 Apr
(DJP) was the only spring record.
2 Ngulia, early on 15 Nov, 18 together at dusk the same day (GCB, DJP), and
1 there, 16 Nov (GCB, AEB, DJP); singles at Kamboyo and at Kambu, near Mtito
Andei, 17 Nov (DJP).

116 East African Bird Report 1980

Falco cherrug Saker Falcon S: an adult at Lake Magadi, 17 May (ADL, EM).

Falco concolor Sooty Falcon S: 1 Lake Naivasha, 16 Apr (DAT), and 1 Lake
Baringo, 9 May (TS).
1 Bamburi, 24 Oct (HAB, PLB), 1 Isiolo, 8 Nov (DJP, AEB), 2 definite adults
and at least 5 other 'probables', Ngulia, 15-16 Nov (GCB, DJP, AEB), 1 Mara
GR, 18 Nov (DAT) and i juvenile Bissel, 24 Nov (ADL, DJP).

Falco eleonorae Eleonora's Falcon S: 2 (1 dark, 1 rufous) Isiolo, 8 Nov and
another rufous bird there on 9 Nov (DJP, AEB).
A rufous example Ngulia, 14 Nov (DJP) and a dark bird Kamboyo, Tsavo West
NP, 17 Nov (DJP).

Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon R: one took a Gull-billed Tern Gelochel-
idon nilotica at Sabaki, 15 Apr (HAB, PLB).
1 Likoni, 26 Dec (HAB, PLB).
From their size, colour and ventral pattern both birds were considered to
have been calidus.

Falco vespertinus Red-footed Falcon S: an adult male at Kamboyo, Tsavo West
NP, 24 Apr (DJP) and an immature male in Nairobi NP, 3 May (ADL, EM) are
fully documented in Scopus 5: 57.

These are the fifth and sixth records for East Africa.

Crex crex Corncrake R: 1 Nairobi NP, 23 Nov (ADL).

Haematopus ostralegus R: 10 Dar es Salaam, 10 Jan (OP); 1 Malindi, 21 Mar (TS);
1 Sabaki, 23 Mar and another there on 24 Jun (HAB, PLB).
1 Bamburi, 4 Oct (WS) and 3 on 5 Oct (HAB, PLB).

Charadrius asiaticus Caspian Plover N: 153 were counted on the beach at Malindi
on 16 Feb (HAB, PLB).
A large concentration for a coastal locality.

Charadrius dubius Little Ringed Plover R: 7 Lake Nakuru, 2 Jan (DJP); up to 5
Kariobangi SW, 19 Jan - 21 Feb (DJP); 1-3 Lake Baringo, 20 Jan - 26 Feb, and
1 on 16 Mar (TS); 3 Ferguson's Gulf, Lake Turkana, 26 Jan, and 14 there on
27 Jan* (OS-C); 7-8 Shombole swamp, 9 Feb (DJP, ADL, JD); 1 Vanga, 15 Mar
(MACC, HAB, PLB).
1 Bamburi, 28 Sep (HAB, PLB); 2-5 daily Lake Baringo, 8 Oct - 30 Nov, and 8
throughout Dec (TS); 3 Kariobangi SW, 18 Oct - end of the year (DJP, DEGB,
BSM); singles at Samburu GR, 10 Nov (DAT) and Lake Naivasha, 18 Nov (DW).

Charadrius leschenaultii Great Sandplover E: INLAND RECORDS: 1 Ferguson's
Gulf, Lake Turkana, 26 Jan (OS-C). 1 Nairobi NP, 11 Oct (ADL).

Charadrius mongolus Mongolian Sandplover E: INLAND RECORDS: at Ferguson's
Gulf, Lake Turkana, about 12 along the west shore and up to 7 on the spit,
26-27 Jan (OS-C); 1 Lake Baringo, 30 Jan, then 2 there 12 Sep and 1-2 from
17 O&Gé, £0, 3, Nove GES).

Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover E: INLAND RECORDS: 2 Lake Nakuru, 2 Jan (DJP);
1-2 Lake Baringo, 2-11 Jan (TS); 1 Ferguson's Gulf, 26-27 Jan (OS-C).
1 Dandora OPs, 12 Oct (DJP, ADL, BSM) was still in breeding plumage; also 1
at Lake Baringo on several dates between 15 Nov and 4 Dec (TS); 1 Lake Solai,
28 Nov (MACC). . ;

Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper D: 3 at Sabaki on 5 Jly - an early arrival
date (HAB, PLB).

Numenius arquatus Curlew E: INLAND RECORD: 1 Nairobi NP, 23 Nov - 21 Dec (HAB,
PLB, ADL, BSM, RDM). M: 1 ringed Mida Creek, 19 Oct was considered to have
been of the race orientalis on axilliary colousation (HAB, PLB).

East African Bird Report 1980 117

Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel E: INLAND RECORD: 1 Lake Baringo, 6 Oct (TS).

Tringa erythropus Spotted Redshank R: recorded from Lakes Turkana, Baringo,
Naivasha and Nakuru, and Dandora OPs, up to 3 May and during Nov - Dec,
maximum numbers being about 15 Dandora, 13 Jan, 11 Baringo, 6 Jan, and up
to 15 there late in the year (BSM, DJP, TS, DAT, DW). Also, 1 Eldoret OPs,
2 Feb (BSM), 1 Serengeti NP, 29 Feb (DAT) and 1 Lake Jipe, 23 Nov (DAT).

Tringa totanus Redshank R: the usual regular small numbers at Mida Creek,
where one caught on 23 Feb was assigned to the nominate race (HAB, PLB, DJP).
1 Sabaki, 6 Jan, 6 on 20 Jan and 23 Feb, while in the second half of the
year there were 2 there on 13 Jly and 7 on 29 Dec (HAB, PLB).
1 Dandora OPs, 30 Nov (DEGB, PBT).

Xenus cinereus Terek Sandpiper E: INLAND RECORDS: 1 Lake Nakuru, 2 Jan (DJP),
1 Dandora OPs, 9 Aug (HAB, PLB) and i Lake Baringo, 29 Oct (TS).

Gallinago media Great Snipe R: 1 north shore, Lake Naivasha, 6 Jan; 1 Smart's
Swamp, Limuru, 5 February (BSM).
These were the only records received.

Calidris alba Sanderling E: INLAND RECORD: 1 Dandora OPs, 16 Aug (BSM).

Calidris temminckii Temminck's Stint R: recorded up to 29 Mar and from 24 Oct
at Lakes Naivasha, Nakuru and Baringo, maximum counts being 12 at Naivasha
on 27 Jan and 11 at Baringo on 5 Nov (DJP, TS). Also, 1 Shombole swamp, 9
Feb (DJP) and 1 Samburu GR, 10 Nov (DAT).

Limicola falcinellus Broad-billed Sandpiper R: recorded at Sabaki to 23 Mar
(maximum 6) and from 19 Aug to the end of the year (maximum 18) (HAB, PLB).

Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit R: up to 4 Mida Creek to 23 Feb and from
19 Oct (HAB, PLB); singles at Sabaki 17 Oct, 28 Nov, 14 and 28 Dec (HAB,
PLB, DW); 1 Bamburi, 5 Oct and 6 there on 30 Oct (HAB, PLB); 1 Diani, 22
Sep (MACC).

Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit R: about 80 counted along the west shore of
Ferguson's Gulf, Lake Turkana, 26-27 Jan (OS-C); up to 70+ north shore of
Lake Naivasha, 1 Jan - 29 Mar (DJP, ADL); 1 Lake Nakuru, 2 Jan (DJP);

I Ndutu, 18 Jan (OP).
3 Lake Magadi, 23 Aug (DEGB, DJP); 1 Dandora OPs, 9 Nov (ADL).

Arenaria interpres Turnstone E: INLAND RECORDS: at Ferguson's Gulf, 20+ along
the west shore and 5 on the spit, 26-27 Jan (OS-C).
1 Lake Baringo, 3-6 Nov (TS).

Phalaropus lobatus Red-necked Phalarope S: 1 at the south end of Lake Nakuru,
2 Oct and 4 there on 3 Oct (ADL).

Phalaropus sp. about 200 offshore, Mombasa, 13 Jan (RG) and 2 offshore, Malindi,
6 Apr (PLB).

Burhinus oedicnemus Stone Curlew R: 1 Nairobi NP, 29 Oct (DJP); 1 freshly dead
7km south of Isiolo, 18 Dec (HAB, PLB).

Stercorarius longicaudus Long-tailed Skua S: 2 light phase adults flew south
off Ras Ngomeni on 19 Oct; the first bird, at 15:30hrs, was at 100-150nm,
while the second, i5min later, was seen at ranges down to 30m (RDM). Full
details to be published.

There is only one previous East African record - from Lake Turkana.

Stercorarius parasiticus Arctic Skua S: 1 dark phase adult Watamu, 13 Apr (PLB).
This is only the second definitive record for Kenya and East Africa.

118 East African Bird Report 1980

Stercorarius sp.: a dark phase bird off Ras Ngomeni, 19 Oct, at 200m range
was judged to have been an Arctic Skua S. parasiticus (RDM).

Larus argentatus Herring Gull R: recorded in the Malindi/Sabaki area up to 7
Mar (maximum 62) and from 7 Aug (maximum 46); also 1 adult on 5 Jly (HAB,
PLB). 13 Ras Iwetine, 23 Jan and 5 on 4 Feb (HAB, PLB); 1 Ras Ngomeni, 17
Oct (RDM). Inland: 10+ Ferguson's Gulf, 26-27 Jan (OS-C); 1 Lake Nakuru,

2 Jan (DJP); 1 Lake Naivasha, 20 Oct (DJP, ADL) and 18 Nov (BSM).

Larus ichthyaetus Great Black-headed Gull S: a sub-adult, Lake Baringo, 5-31
Jan (TS); an adult in full breeding plumage, Sabaki, 16 Feb (HAB, PLB).
These are the fifth and sixth East African records.

Chlidonias niger Black Tern S: a worn adult in non-breeding plumage was
observed at Dandora OPs on 12, 13 and 18 Oct (ADL, DJP, BSM, DAT, JH; see
also Scopus 4: 95-96).

This is the third Kenyan and East African record.

Sterna hirundo Common Tern R: regular at Ras Iwetine, 7 Jan - 25 Apr, maximum
1000 on 4 Feb (HAB, PLB); 1 in breeding plumage Malindi, 6 Apr and 3 on 11
Apr (HAB, PLB, DJP); 3 caught and ringed at night at Mida Creek, 23 Feb (HAB,
PLB). 10 Malindi, 18 Oct (HAB, PLB).

All records received are given above. Due to potential confusion with Roseate
Terns S.dougallii and White-cheeked Terns S.repressa, this species is
undoubtedly greatly under-recorded.

Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern S: 2 adults in breeding plumage at Ras Iwe-
tine, 25 Apr (HAB, PLB).

Cuculus poliocephalus Lesser Cuckoo R: recorded at Sokoke Forest, 7 - 16 Apr,
with 40 on 9th and 200+ on 14th (HAB, PLB, DJP).

Caprimulgus europaeus Eurasian Nightjar R: 1 Sokoke Forest, 9 Apr (HAB, PLB,
DJP).
At Ngulia, 41 ringed (and many others seen) between 7 Nov and 8 Dec (maximum
13 on 14 Nov); single birds caught on 14 Nov and 16 Nov were assigned to the
race plumipes (GCB, DJP).

Coracias garrulus Eurasian Roller N, D: the following large numbers on migration
were notable: about 200 moving north near a storm at Maungu, 7 Apr (DJP);
about 1000 passing south to the west of the Ngulia ridge during 30min late
on 15 Nov (AEB); some 250 moving south up the Ngulia valley early on 16 Nov
(GCB, DJP, AEB).

The first autumn arrivals were reported almost simultaneously from the rift
valley, central Kenya and the Kenya coast by several observers between 17
and 20 Oct (HAB, PLB, RDM, BSM, DJP).

Apus. apus Eurasian Swift N: 3000+ Sokoke Forest, 15 Dec (DW).

Cercotrichas galactotes Rufous Bush Chat R: away from established wintering
and passage sites, birds were recorded as follows: several Lake Baringo,
18-25 Feb and 1-3 between 26 and 30 Nov (TS); 1 Marsabit, 16 Mar (DJP, ADL).

Luscinia luscinia Sprosser E: away from the regular passage areas in eastern
Kenya, one was recorded at Lake Baringo on 13-14 Nov (TS).
Presumed wintering birds: 2 Sultan Hamud and 1 Emali (singing) on 4 Mar
(DJP); 1 ringed Kariobangi, 26 Feb and retrapped there on 11 Mar (DJP).

Oenanthe oenanthe Northern Wheatear D: a presumed oversummering female in Meru
NP on 7 Jun (DAT).

Saxicola rubetra Whinchat R: recorded away from the Nile/Lake Victoria basin

.

as Renee ddl taii ai_siiidi nia

East African Bird Report 1980 119

wintering areas as follows: 1 Naivasha, 19 Jan (DAT); 1 Nairobi NP, 3 May -
a very late date (ADL); 1 Lake Nakuru, 12 Oct (DAT); 2 Thika, 10 Dec (RDM).

Acrocephalus griseldis Basra Reed Warbler R, E: many in song at the Karawa
wintering site (see Scopus 2: 33-34) on 8 Mar (HAB, PLB); in song at Mtito
Andei, 16 Feb (DJP).

At Ngulia 93 were ringed between 7 Nov and 15 Dec, maximum 19 on 5 Dec and
18 on 7 Dec (GCB, DJP).

Acrocephalus palustris Marsh Warbler E: presumed wintering birds were seen as
follows: 1 Kambu, near Mtito Andei, 16 Feb; 1 in song at Taveta, 17 Feb;
1 near Mwingi Market, 23 Feb and several at two sites near Endau, 24 Feb
(all DJP).

Hippolais icterina Icterine Warbler R: 1 in the heather zone on Ol Donyo
Lesatima (Aberdares) on 5 Apr (BSM).

Hippolais languida Upcher's Warbler R: recorded away from established winter-
ing areas as follows: 4 different individuals at Marsabit, NE, NW and S of
the town, 16-18 Mar (DJP, ADL); 1 Lake Naivasha, 27 Jan (DUP).

Hippolais olivetorum Olive-tree Warbler S: 1 at Lerata, N of Archer's Post,
2 at a site 10km N of Archer's Post and a single bird 6km N of Isiolo,
all on 19 Mar (DJP, ADL); 1 at Lerata, 6 Apr (DAT).
The only previous recent record suggestive of wintering in Kenya involved
an early March bird near Voi (Scopus 1: 79).
The following records probably all refer to passage birds: 1 caught Ngulia,
16 Apr (DJP); 4+ at 6km N of Isiolo, 8 Nov (DJP, AEB); 1 Samburu GR, 9 Nov
(DAT); 1 Lake Baringo, 14 Nov (TS), Southward passage at Ngulia was recorded
from 7 Nov to the late date of 14 Dec, with 46 ringed, maximum 14 on 8 Nov
(GCB, DJP et al.).

Locustella fluviatilis River Warbler R: at Ngulia, 15 caught on 16 Apr, 2 seen
on 17 Apr and 1 in song on 18 Apr (DJP). On southward passage recorded from
13 Nov to 31 Dec, with 214 ringed in total, maximum 37 on 14 Dec (DJP, GCB).
The only record away from Ngulia was of two birds 5km S of the Ura Gate,
Meru, 22 Dec (DJP).

Sylvia nisoria Barred Warbler E: away from the usual known wintering sites,
several were recorded at Namanga, 9 Mar (DJP).

Ficedula albicollis Collared Flycatcher R: 1 Nairobi, 16 Nov (ADL) was prob-
ably referable to the race semitorquata (see Scopus 5: 60).

Ficedula sp. R: singles at Kakamega Forest, 15 Nov (DAT) and near Lavington,
Nairobi on 3 Dec (BSM).

Motacilla alba White Wagtail N: about 20 at Kariobangi SW late in Dec - an un-
usually large number (DEGB, DJP, BSM).
E: at unusual localities singles were recorded at Ngulia, 29 Nov (DJP, ADL,
JD) and Sabaki, 14 Dec (DW).

Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail E: 1 Diani, 20 Dec (PBT).

Lanius collurio Red-backed Shrike D: a presumed oversummering bird in Meru NP,
8 Jun (DAT).
The first such record for East Africa.

Lanius isabellinus Red-tailed Shrike M: an adult male caught at Ngulia, 14 Nov
showed the characteristics of the race speculigerus (DJP).

See Scopus 3: 74-78 for a review of the races occurring in East Africa.

120 East African Bird Report 1980

Lanius collurio x Lanius isabellinus hybrids R: hybrid males were caught at
Kariobangi, 26 Feb (and retrapped on 11 Mar) and at Ngulia, 7 and 14 Nov
(GCB, DJP). Others were seen at Naivasha, 29 Mar, and Ngulia, 1 Dec (DJP, ADL).

Lanius minor Lesser Grey Shrike D: 1 Samburu GR, 9 Nov and 1 near Lake Bogoria,
13 Nov (DAT); 1 Ngulia, 29 Nov (ADL, JH).
These are the first autumn records of the species for Kenya.

Lanius senator Woodchat Shrike R: the bird at Lake Baringo at the end of 1979
(Scopus 3: 118) remained until 23 Jan (TS).

ADDITIONS FOR PREVIOUS YEARS
AFROTROPICAL SPECIES

Ardeola rufiventris Rufous-bellied Heron E: 1 Salt Lick Lodge, Taita Hills,
9 Nov 1978 (RDM).
The third Kenya record.

Ptilopachus petrosus Stone Partridge R: 1 Mt Elgon NP at 2300m, 25 Jly 1979
(FPJ).

Muscicapa gambagae Gambaga Flycatcher S: 1 at 20km southwest of Ura Gate,
Meru NP, 5 Feb 1978 and 1 at Isiolo, 6 Feb 1978 (DJP, see also Scopus 4:96).
PALAEARCTIC RECORDS

Calidris temminckii Temminck's Stint R: 1 Shombole swamp, 27 Mar 1977 (JFR).
1 Rift Valley swamp behind the Ngong Hills, 22 Oct 1977 (JFR).

Phalaropus fulicarius Grey Phalarope S: an adult photographed, Nairobi NP on
1 Sep 1979 (RDM).
The fifth East African record - the previous four were from rift valley
lakes in Kenya.

Otus scops Scops Owl R: a Palaearctic example was collected by G.R. Cunningham-
van Someren in the North Nandi Forest, 29 Nov 1979 (National Museum collection).

'FIRST' AND 'LAST' DATES OF PALAEARCTIC MIGRANTS

(central/eastern Kenya)

Species Last Date First Date
Cuculus canorus .;. « ». » \29 Apt Nqulia <=). . J800ce: Ngomen:

C. poliocephalus toes LO ADE SOOKE | 6a) Ge woes ta ce ae tate ee
Caprimulgus europaeus .. 9 Apr Sokoke .. . 29 Oct Baringo

Merops apiaster ... . . 15 Apr Tsavo West . 5 Sep Nairobi

BM. PEFSICUS ) 6) singh cen eee 7 PprrESPOLS! ) ot cif eke ey ede Oe Se ae
Coracias garrulus ... . 24 Apr Tsavo West . 17 Oct Watamu + Ngomeni
Delichon arbies 20. se 3 e's es ee ot oes A Oe eng

Ripdria riparia’ :”. . : . 2? Apr Dandora .°. ; 18°Ort Timnau

Oriolus oriolus ... .. 22 Apr Sultan Hamud 10 Oct Aruba, Tsavo East
Cercotrichas galactotes . 11 Apr Malindi . .. 6 Nov Ngulia

Irania gutturalis . .. . 17 Apr Ngulia .. . 8 Nov Isiolo + Ngulia
Luscinia luscinia . .. . 18 Apr Ngulia .. . 26 Oct Kariobangi
L. Megarhynchos 3.6 2.4 « x « se ale) wate eet

East African Bird Report 1980 121

'First' and 'Last' dates of Palaearctic migrants, Contd.

Species Last Date First Date
SS
Monticola saxatilis . .. . 16 Apr Naivasha . . 18 Oct Timau + Athi River
Oenanthe isabellina . .. . 13 Apr Ngulia .. . 13 Oct Dandora
Geoenanthe “ . .*.°.. ‘<2 13 Apr Ngulia .. . 13 Sep Ngong + Kiambu

O. pleschanka ...... . 6 Apr Olorgesailie 18 Oct Malindi

Saxicola rubetra .... . 3 May Nairobi. . 12 Nov Nakuru
Acrocephalus arundinaceus . 25 Apr Kariobangi ........+.-..
aiesreis fo... ss ee ee fl | OU LOW Ngulia

m. palastris ~:'. . = '.”’. ". 24 Apr Mtito Andel 4 Nov Kariobangi

eo eenoenopsenus .. . . . . 25 Apr Kariobangi .."..°. ...++.*

A. scirpaceus ..... . . 25 Apr Kariobangi . 11 Nov Kariobangi
Hippolais languida .. . . 18 Apr Ngulia. . . 14 Nov Ngulia
Seunevetorus . . . . . . 16 Apr Ngulia’. . . “7 Nov Ngulia

eeeetee sa... a ss Ue 8G Ape Noulja =... 25 Oct Athi River
Locustella fluviatilis . . 18 Apr Ngulia . . . 13 Nov Ngulia
Phylloscopus trochilus . . 25 Apr Kariobangi . 13 Oct Nairobi

Sylvia atricapilla .. . . 14 Apr Kariobangi . 12 Oct Ngong

Sewers. sa sw se Ue es 2 Apr Kariobangi . 19° Oct’ Kariobangi
S.communis ..... . . . 25 Apr Kariobangi . 19 Oct Ngomeni
weweserda. . 2. . <«. « » « 16 Apr Ngulia , .-. 8 Now Noulia
Muscicapa striata... . . 22 Apr Mtito Andei 16 Oct Nairobi
Anthus cervinus ... .. . 11 Apr Malindi .. 4 Nov Kariobangi
DV eeeeeire . . s o's « « s 10 ROY Ngulia .'.°. 27 Sép Noulid
Moeeqitia‘albai:. % Sismw & fae ee! w 4°. (28 Nov Naivasha
ahr aL a ee wi ke ee ee gs es ge BY OCE Ranyuki
mieeeya oyscacs fc) a es 25.Apr Kariebangi .. 8 :Sep Kariobangi
Lanius collurio .... . . 24 Apr Tsavo West . 2 Nov Ngulia
Bewseneliinus. ..... . if Apr Ngqulia . .. 12 Oct Dandora
Ete. Gs se «el le el el 2) ADE Karicbangi . 9 Nov Samburu

English names of birds listed above but not mentioned in the Species Report:
Cuculus canorus Eurasian Cuckoo, Merops apiaster Eurasian Bee-eater, M. persicus
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Delichon urbica House Martin, Riparia riparia Sand
Martin, Oriolus oriolus Golden Oriole, Luscinia megarhynchos Nightingale,
Monticola saxatilis Rock Thrush, Oenanthe isabellina Isabelline Wheatear,

O. pleschanka Pied Wheatear, Acrocephalus arundinaceus Great Reed Warbler,

A. schoenobaenus Sedge Warbler, A. scirpaceus Reed Warbler, Hippolais pallida
Olivaceous Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler, Sylvia atricapilla
Blackcap, S. borin Garden Warbler, S. communis Whitethroat, Muscicapa striata
Spotted Flycatcher, Anthus cervinus Red-throated Pipit, A. trivialis Tree
Pipit, Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail.

LIST OF OBSERVERS

F. Alexander H.A. Britton
A.L. Archer Pil. BELtton
D.E.G. Backhurst A.E. Butterworth
G.C. Backhurst K. Chapman

N.E. Baker M.A.C. Coverdale
M. Beaman P. Davey

J.S.S. Beesley ' J. Dirks

R. Boy J.D. Gerhart

122

R. Grainger

J. Halliday
J.C. Hitchcock
K.M. Howell
F.P. Jensen
A.D. Lewis

P. Lewis

Y. Malcolm-Coe
B.S. Meadows
R.D. Moore

E. Muller

F. Ng'weno
'Operation Drake
20S-C

R. Peacock

East African Bird Report 1980

D.J. Pearson

30. Persson

N.S. Proctor
J.F. Reynolds
D.K. Richards
J.M. Simkin
C. Snow

T. Stevenson
S.N. Stuart
P.B. Taylor
P. Troop

D.A. Turner
E.D. Tweddell
T.A. van der Willigen
D. (E.) Wolf

'Cyclostyled report: "Operation Drake" 1981 [sic] Kenya Lake Turkana Periphery
Biological Survey. Report No. 3. Section of Ornithology, Division of Natural
Sciences, National Museums of Kenya, by G.R. Cunningham-van Someren, January
1981. [Covering the period 2 August to 28 September 1980.]

2Ornithological Sub-Committee trip to Lake Turkana comprising ALA, PLB, JDG,

BSM, TS, DAT and EDT.

3Including the following other Scandinavian ornithologists: B. Aksell,

S. Aradottir, N. Kjellen, L. Jonsson, I. & H. Lindberg, B. Olsson and R. Svensson.

I.J.P. Loefller was omitted from the list of observers in the 1979 report.

The Afrotropical and Oceanic section was compiled by D.A. Turner,

and 'First' and 'Last' dates section by B.S. Meadows.

BIRD RINGING 1980

G.C. Backhurst

Ringing continued in all three East African countries, and in the Sudan. The
report covering the three years from July 1977 to June 1980 is now in press

for the Society's Journal.

EAST AFRICAN ORNITHOLOGICAL STUDIES IN 1980

No reports of ornithological studies have been received except from members of
the sub-committee. We feel that it is desirable to list studies in Scopus and
ask those engaged in bird work in 1981 to send a short summary to D.A. Turner

for inclusion in the next report.

Ed.

the Palaearctic

East African Bird Report 1980 123

E.A.N.H.S. NEST RECORD SCHEME: 1980
Hazel A. Britton

Contributions from members for 1980 have been similar in quantity to those of
the last two years, despite the loss of two of the most regular and long
standing participants. John Reynolds was a very keen observer of birds at

the nest, as many members familiar with his slides and photographs know well,
and he has been sending in records, first from Tanzania and later Nairobi,
since the scheme first started. When I originated the Nest Record Scheme at
the end of 1969 I received considerable encouragement from Leslie Brown, who
had tried to implement a similar programme a few years earlier, but had
received little response. Although famous for his intensive studies of birds
of prey at the nest, few people are aware that his notes on breeding behaviour
of any bird are the most meticulous and complete of any records in the Nest
Record Scheme (despite his popular boast that he never looked at anything
smaller than a chicken). His death, followed tragically by that of his son
Charles, whose contributions on the breeding of Quelea and other seed-eaters
from the Yatta Plateau/Tiva River Plains are given below, will be a great

loss to the Nest Record Scheme. On the positive side, the response from
Tanzania has increased this year, and there are even a few records from Uganda.

The format of this report follows exactly that of previous years. Details
given are minimal, and no attempt has been made to provide clutch-size, nest-
site or success-rate data. Months given refer to actual egg-laying or computed
egg-laying dates from dependent young in or out of the nest. In situations
where it has been impossible to reliably compute months of egg-laying, dates
} are given more fully along with the observations themselves. A few unpublished
records from earlier years are included here, distinguished by including the
year of the observation, while Tanzanian and Ugandan localities are shown by
using T and U respectively in parentheses.

I will be leaving East Africa at the end of July 1981 and will be handing
over the Nest Record Scheme to a new organizer. I would like to sincerely
thank all members who have contributed to the scheme over the last 11 years,
in particular those members who have sent in data regularly each year. It is
their sustained efforts which have provided the backbone of the 14 files of
cards which have been accumulated. It is hoped that all contributors will
continue to support the scheme and that the new organizer will be able to
generate a burst of new enthusiasm.

This report has been compiled from cards received from the following con-
tributors before 12 May 1981: R.G. Allen, D.E.G. Backhurst, J.S.S. Beesley,
S.M. Boulton, D. Brass, H.A. & P.L. Britton, C.H. Brown, L.H. Brown, F.N. Bruce-
Miller, L. & T. Campbell, M.J.Carswell, S.Collins, B.Couldrey, M.A.C. Cover-
dale, G.R.Cunningham-van Someren, P. Davey, C. Dewhurst, A.V. Donnelly,

J.D. Gerhart, N.N.Gichuki, M. Heath, M. Hemphill, G.C. & D. Irvine, A.P. Keogh,
Y. Malcolm-Coe, B.S. Meadows, F.Ng'weno, C.E.Norris, D.J. Pearson, D.E. Pomeroy,
S. Sassoon, D.Schmidl, L.T. Schwab, D.M. Sheppard, T. Stevenson, R.F.Tyers,
S.J.Tyler, D.E.Wolf, P.A. Wootton.

2
i
e
7~
_

Struthio camelus Ostrich: massaicus: Nairobi NP Sep, Nov. Mara GR Sep. som-
alicus: Tsavo East NP 29 Jun (2 young about 4 grown).

Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe: Lake Naivasha Sep. Nairobi Jun.

Phalacrocorax carbo Greater Cormorant: Lake Naivasha May - Jun (about 50 nests).
Lake Nakuru NP mainly Nov. Lake Turkana Aug - Sep (27 nests on South Island)
and Aug (Bird Island, several nests).

Scopus 4: 123-133, July 1981

124 East African Bird Report 1980

Ardea cinerea Grey Heron: Mombasa 11 Dec 1979 (young from eggs laid Oct, and 5
birds incubating), 12 Dec (about 5 birds incubating).

Ardea goliath Goliath Heron: Lake Naivasha Dec 1979. Lake Baringo Dec 1979
(3), Jan (2).

Ardea melanocephala Black-headed Heron: Usa River, Arusha (T) Oct - Nov (17),
Butorides striatus Green-backed Heron: Lake Baringo Apr.
Egretta garzetta Little Egret: Lake Turkana Apr (50+ pairs).

Leptoptilos crumeniferus Marabou: Mikumi NP (T) 6 Jan (2 nests with well grown
young from eggs laid probably early Oct).

Bostrychia hagedash Hadada: Kiambu Jan. Nairobi Apr. Lake Naivasha Jly. Ruaha
NP (T) Nov 1978.

Platalea alba African Spoonbill: Lake Turkana Apr - May (about 30 pairs).

Phoeniconaias minor Lesser Flamingo: Lake Bogoria 17 Jan (hundreds with dozens
of grey downy young).

Alopochen aegyptiacus Egyptian Goose: Tsavo East NP Jan. Meru NP Jly. Lake
Nakuru NP Jly. Aberdare NP May. Lake Turkana Jun (3), Jly, Aug (3).

Anas capensis Cape Wigeon: Lake Nakuru NP Mar (2). Arusha NP (T) Sep (2).
Anas undulata Yellow-billed Duck: Nairobi Mar.

Netta erythrophthalma Southern Pochard: Arusha NP (T) Jly.

Thalassornis leuconotus White-backed Duck: Nairobi Aug.

Gyps africanus African White-backed Vulture: Tsavo East NP late Apr or early
May. NE of Kulal 1 Jly (nest with egg or small young).

Gyps rueppellii Ruppell's Vulture: Njorowa Gorge (Naivasha) 19 Jun - 20 Nov
(15 pairs nesting).

Torgos tracheliotus Lappet-faced Vulture: Tsavo East NP 6 Aug (young in nest
still downy, about 3 grown).

Gypaetus barbatus Lammergeyer: Njorowa Gorge 19 Jun (small young in nest,
fledged by 12 Aug).

Terathopius ecaudatus Bateleur: Tsavo West NP 6 Feb (2 nests with fresh un-
marked eggs). Samburu GR young from egg laid probably Aug.

Accipiter badius Shikra: Lake Baringo Mar.
Accipiter melanoleucus Great Sparrowhawk: Nairobi Oct 1979.
Accipiter minullus Little Sparrowhawk: Nairobi Nov 1979.

Aquila rapax Tawny Eagle: Tsavo East NP 29 Jun (one nest with a very small
chick and 3 nests with adults incubating eggs or small young). Lake Nakuru
NP 29 Aug (incubating).

Aguila wahlbergi Wahlberg's Eagle: near Makuyu Apr.

Buteo augur Augur Buzzard: Arusha NP (T) Dec.

Melierax gabar Gabar Goshawk: Lake Turkana late Feb or early Mar.

Melierax metabates Dark Chanting Goshawk: Lake Baringo Nov - Dec (several nests).

Stephanoaetus coronatus Crowned Eagle: Naro Moru Oct. Tana River Bridge (S of
Murang'a) Jly, also young from egg laid Jly 1979. Nairobi Jly.

ad

i i ee ee ae

“oF

ne

ee Fay Soule

East African Bird Report 1980 125

Haliaeetus vocifer Fish Eagle: Lake Turkana 12-19 Aug eamianietner thei Lake Bar-
ingo 2 Jun (2 young in nest). Gede (coast) Jly.

Milvus migrans Black Kite: Kiambu Mar. Nairobi young from eggs laid late Nov
or early Dec and late Apr or early May. Kampala (U) Jan 1978.

Falco rupicoloides White-eyed Kestrel: Narok Road (near satellite tracking
station) Aug.

Coturnix delegorguei Harlequin Quail: Tsavo West NP Feb.

Francolinus leucoscepus Yellow-necked Spurfowl: Tsavo West NP Mar (3).
Kiambu 29 May (two families with immatures smaller than adults).

Numida meleagris Helmeted Guineafowl: Magadi Road 16 Aug (2 grown young).
Nairobi NP 8 Aug (2 young slightly smaller than Yellow-necked Spurfowl).

Turnix sylvatica Button Quail: Magadi Road May.

Balearica pavonina Crowned Crane: Nairobi NP 13 Jly (small young in down).
Lake Naivasha 12 Aug (young about 10d old).

Gallinula angulata Lesser Moorhen: Nairobi NP young from egg laid probably Jun.
Gallinula chloropus Common Moorhen: Mufindi (T) Dec.
Eupodotis hartlaubii Hartlaub's Bustard: Galana Ranch 20 Oct (one small chick).

Actophilornis africanus Jacana: near Mombasa Feb. Lake Baringo Oct 1978 - Jan
1979 (many young of all ages and sizes seen throughout the period). Arusha
NP (T) Aug.

Microparra capensis Lesser Jacana: Lake Jipe Feb 1978.

Charadrius pecuarius Kittlitz's Sandplover: Lake Nakuru NP Jan (3). Lake
Baringo Mar.

Vanellus armatus Blacksmith Plover: Nairobi NP Jun.
Vanellus coronatus Crowned Plover: Mara GR Mar, Nov. Ruaha NP (T) Dec 1979.
Vanellus lugubris Senegal Plover: Mara GR Sep. Shimba Hills Mar.

Vanellus melanopterus Black-winged Plover: Aberdare NP Oct. Ngare Nanyuki
(Arusha District, T) young from eggs laid late Nov or early Dec.

Vanellus senegallus Wattled Plover: Sumbawanga (Ufipa Plateau, T) Oct 1979.

Vanellus spinosus Spur-winged Plover: Lake Baringo Jun. Lake Turkana Apr, Jly.
Meru NP Jun.

Vanellus tectus Black-headed Plover: Meru NP Jun. Lake Baringo 27 Nov (tiny
young).

Burhinus capensis Spotted Thicknee: Mara GR Jly.

Burhinus senegalensis Senegal Thicknee: Lake Turkana Jly, Aug.
Burhinus vermiculatus Water Thicknee: Dar es Salaam (T) Sep 1979.
Rhinoptilus cinctus Heuglin's Courser: Buffalo Springs GR Jly.

Larus cirrocephalus Grey-headed Gull: Lake Turkana Apr (c. 1000 nests).
Rhynchops flavirostris African Skimmer: Lake Turkana Apr (7).

Pterocles exustus Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse: Lake Turkana Jly, Aug. Lake
Magadi Jly.

126 East African Bird Report 1980

Columba guinea Speckled Pigeon: Lake Nakuru NP Aug. Lake Baringo May - Aug
(20+ nests). Lake Turkana Aug - Sep (2 sites with several pairs).

Oena capensis Namaqua Dove: Lake Baringo Jly.

Streptopelia decipiens Mourning Dove: Lake Baringo May - Aug (many pairs) also
Dec 1979.

Streptopelia semitorquata Red-eyed Dove: Nairobi Mar, May, Jly (2), Aug, Sep,
Oct, Dec. Kiambu late Mar or early Apr. Lake Nakuru NP Jan. Kampala (U) May
1978.

Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove: Yatta Plateau Jan (about 80 nests in
1000 ha surrounding Tiva River). Nairobi Oct. Lake Naivasha Feb.

Turtur chalcospilos Emerald-spotted Wood Dove: building Lake Baringo 17 Jly,
Diani 30 Oct and Dar es Salaam (T) 2 Aug 1979.

Turtur tympanistria Tambourine Dove: Gede Ruins Aug.
Treron australis Green Pigeon: near Arusha (T) Aug.

Poicephalus cryptoxanthus Brown-headed Parrot: Shimoni young from egg laid
probably Jly.

Poicephalus rufiventris Orange-bellied Parrot: N of Mtito Andei 20 Jan (feeding
young in hole).

Crinifer zonurus Eastern Grey Plantain Eater: Kampala (U) Feb 1978.
Corythaixoides leucogaster White-bellied Go-away Bird: Lake Baringo May.
Tauraco hartlaubi Hartlaub's Turaco: Nairobi Aug - Sep (2).

Chrysococcyx caprius Didric Cuckoo: Yatta Plateau Jan (hosts Ploceus rubig-
inosus). Magadi Road (Olekemonge Plain) Jun (host Euplectes orix).

Clamator glandarius Great Spotted Cuckoo: Lake Baringo Jly 1977 (host Ony-
chognathus morio).

Centropus monachus Blue-headed Coucal: Kiambu young from egg laid late Apr
or early May.

Bubo lacteus Verreaux's Eagle Owl: Samburu GR fledged but dependent young on
23 Sep.

Caprimulgus poliocephalus Montane Nightjar: Nairobi Jan.
Macrodipteryx vexillarius Pennant-winged Nightjar: near Iringa (T) Nov 1979.

Apus affinis Little Swift: Tsavo West NP 13 Apr (active colony in rafters of
lodge). Lake Baringo 'nesting' mid May - end Aug. Dar es Salaam (T) Feb- Mar.

Apus caffer White-rumped Swift: Lake Baringo 2 nests with young in Jly.
Urocolius macrourus Blue-naped Mousebird: Lake Baringo Jun.

Ceryle rudis Pied Kingfisher: Dar es Salaam (T) 3-4 Sep 1979 (feeding young
in holes).

Halcyon albiventris Brown-hooded Kingfisher: Shimoni Apr. Sokoke Forest 15
Dec (adult flew from hole).

Ispidina picta Pygmy Kingfisher: Kampala (U) feeding young in hole 24 Sep 1978.
Merops pusillus Little Bee-eater: Kiambu young from egg laid probably early Jly.

Coracias caudata Lilac-breasted Roller : Amboseli NP feeding young in hole

5

East African Bird Report 1980 127

8 Apr. Tsavo West NP feeding young in hole 22 Mar. Near Mombasa feeding
young out of nest 27 Dec.

Coracias naevia Rufous-crowned Roller: Lake Baringo feeding young in rock
crevice Jly (2).

Eurystomus glaucurus Broad-billed Roller: Shimoni 24 Jan (dependent fledgling).
Kiboko 1 Feb (feeding fledged young).

Upupa epops Hoopoe: Nairobi young being fed in nest Nov. Lake Naivasha 7 Nov
(feeding young in nest). Lake Nakuru NP Jan.

Bycanistes bucinator Trumpeter Hornbill: Tsavo West NP 5 Oct (male feeding
female inside hole). Sokoke Forest 15 Dec (male passing food into nest hole).

Tockus deckeni Von der Decken's Hornbill: Kibwezi male feeding female or young
in hole 14 Feb, young heard on 7 Mar.

Tockus erythrorhynchus Red-billed Hornbill: Voi feeding young in hole 8 Jan;
feeding incubating female 16 Feb. Lake Baringo May - Jly (several pairs).

Tockus flavirostris Yellow-billed Hornbill: Lake Baringo 20 Jly pESTAANG,
female and young in hole).

Tockus hemprichii Hemprich's Hornbill: Lake Baringo 6 Aug (pair feeding young
in rock crevice).

Tockus jacksoni Jackson's Hornbill: Lake Baringo Jun.

Buccanodon leucotis White-eared Barbet: Arusha area (T) feeding noisy young
in nest holes 12 Oct (2) and 12 Nov.

Buccanodon whytii Whyte's Barbet: Sumbawanga (T) pair feeding three young in
tree on 23 and 26 Nov 1979.

Lybius leucocephalus White-headed Barbet: Kiambu Feb, Jun, Oct.

Lybius melanocephalus Black-throated Barbet: Tsavo West NP Aug. Lake Turkana
(Sibiloi NP) Sep.

Lybius melanopterus Brown-breasted Barbet: near Arusha (T) feeding young in
hole 5 Sep and mid Nov (2).

Trachylaemus purpuratus Yellow-billed Barbet: Kakamega Forest 17 Nov (feeding
young in hole).

Trachyphonus erythrocephalus Red and Yellow Barbet: Lake Baringo 11 Jly
(adults feeding fledged young).

Trachyphonus usambiro Usambiro Barbet: Serengeti NP (T) 2 Mar (feeding young
in hole).

Prodotiscus zambesiae Eastern Honeybird: Nairobi 30 Nov (two fledglings being
fed by Zosterops poliogastra).

Campethera caroli Brown-eared Woodpecker: Kakamega Forest 2 Jun (feeding at
least two young in hole).

Dendropicos fuscescens Cardinal Woodpecker: Mpanda (T) feeding fledged young
1 Dec 1979.

Mesopicos goertae Grey Woodpecker: Kiambu Feb, May. Nairobi Jly and fledged
young being fed by adults 7 May.

Mesopicos xantholophus Yellow-crested Woodpecker: Kakamega Forest dependent
fledglings 3 Dec.

128 East African Bird Report 1980

Galerida cristata Crested Lark: Lake Turkana 13 Sep (old nests and fledged
young begging from adults), Aug 1975 and Aug 1977.

Hirundo abyssinica Striped Swallow: Kiambu May. Nairobi May. Mikumi NP (T)
Oct. Ruaha NP (T) Dec 1979. Mwanza (T) Feb.

Hirundo aethiopica Ethiopian Swallow: Mombasa Jun.

to

Flu

Hirundo angolensis Angola Swallow: near Mwanza (T) six pairs building,
wholly complete on 12 Apr.

Hirundo atrocaerulea Blue Swallow: Mufindi (T) pair with two young 17 Nov.
Hirundo daurica Red-rumped Swallow: Mara GR Apr.

Hirundo fuligula African Rock Martin: Tsavo East NP Jun. Nairobi May. Lake
Naivasha Mar. Arusha NP (T) Oct. Serengeti NP (T) Feb.

Hirundo griseopyga Grey-rumped Swallow: near Thika Aug.
Hirundo semirufa Rufous-chested Swallow: Mara GR Jun.

Hirundo smithii Wire-tailed Swallow: Shimoni Apr. Dar es Salaam (T) Feb and
young from eggs laid probably late Jun 1979.

Psalidoprocne pristoptera Black Rough-wing: Kiambu May.

Dicrurus adsimilis Drongo: Kaloleni (coast) Feb. Shimoni Apr. Lake Naivasha
Mar.

Corvus albicollis White-necked Raven: near Longonot Jan.

Corvus albus Pied Crow: near Suswa Sep.

Corvus rhipidurus Fan-tailed Raven: Lake Baringo Feb.

Corvus ruficollis Brown-necked Raven: Lake Turkana Apr.

Corvus splendens Indian House Crow: Mombasa Jan. Dar es Salaam (T) Oct.

Parus albiventris White-bellied Tit: Kiambu Feb. Mt Kenya Feb. Lake Naivasha
possibly feeding young 12 Aug. Mpanda (T) Oct.

Parus fringillinus Red-throated Tit: Nairobi NP occupied hole 12 Nov.

Parus funereus Dusky Tit: Kakamega Forest young from eggs probably laid Oct.
Parus rufiventris Rufous-bellied Tit: Arusha NP (T) Apr.

Remiz caroli African Penduline Tit: N of Monduli (T) building 16 Dec.

Remiz musculus Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit: Lake Baringo nest in use mid Jun.

Turdoides hypoleucus Northern Pied Babbler: Nairobi 28 May (feeding fledged
young).

Turdoides melanops Black-lored Babbler: Lake Naivasha Apr. Lake Nakuru NP
Jly.

Campephaga quiscalina Purple-throated Cuckoo Shrike: Mt Kenya feeding young
in inaccessible hole nest 23 Nov.

Andropadus latirostris Yellow-whiskered Greenbul: Kericho feeding fledged
young 2 Mar.

Phyllastrephus strepitans Northern Brownbul: Lake Baringo feeding fledged
young 16 Jly.

Pycnonotus barbatus Common Bulbul: Nairobi Jan, Feb (2), Apr, May, Sep, Oct.
Kiambu Feb. Lake Naivasha May. Kampala (U) May 1978.

te tt

East African Bird Report 1980 129

Cercomela scotocerca Brown-tailed Rock Chat: Lake Baringo eggs laid late May
or early Jun.

Cercotrichas quadrivirgata Eastern Bearded Scrub Robin: Shimoni Feb.

Cichladusa guttata Spotted Morning Thrush: Lake Baringo feeding almost fledged
young in nest 28 Jun.

Cossypha caffra Robin Chat: Nairobi May, Oct, Nov. Kiambu Apr, May, Nov (2).
Cossypha heuglini White-browed Robin Chat: Lake Naivasha Apr. Mwanza (T) Jan.
Cossypha semirufa RUppell's Robin Chat: Kiambu Apr (2), May.

Monticola angolensis Miombo Rock Thrush: Sao Hill (T) dependent young 16 Nov.

Myrmecocichla aethiops Anteater Chat: Lake Nakuru NP feeding fledged young
6 Jan, also building Jan.

Pogonocichla stellata White-starred Forest Robin: Mt Kenya dependent fledged
young 9 Jun. Sumbawanga (T) feeding fledged young 25 Nov.

Saxicola torquata Stonechat: Menengai Crater (Nakuru) 3 pairs building 18
Jan. Kiambu Jan. Arusha NP (T) Sep, Oct.

Turdus abyssinicus Northern Olive Thrush: Nairobi Apr, May, Aug, Sep. Kiambu
Apr, Nov, Dec. Mt Kenya Feb. Mt Meru (T) Jan (2).

Turdus libonyanus Kurrichane Thrush: Sao Hill (T)young fed in nest 16-18 Nov.
Turdus pelios African Thrush: Kampala (U) Apr.

Turdus tephronotus Bare-eyed Thrush: Kibwezi 8 Mar (bird incubating).

Apalis cinerea Grey Apalis: Mt Kenya Jun. Nairobi Oct.

Camaroptera brachyura Grey-backed Camaroptera: building Lake Naivasha 15 May
and Magadi Road 2 Jun.

Camaroptera simplex Grey Wren Warbler: N of Kibwezi bird with nest 6 Jan.
Cisticola hunteri Hunter's Cisticola: Kiambu Apr, Jun, Dec.

Cisticola robusta Stout Cisticola: Nairobi NP feeding young out of the nest
at Jay.

Eminia lepida Grey-capped Warbler: Kiambu Sep.

Eremomela scotops Green-capped Eremomela: Mpanda (T) feeding fledged young
1 Dec 1979.

Hyliota australis Southern Hyliota: Kakamega Forest feeding young in nest
15 Nov.

Phyllolais pulchella Buff-bellied Warbler: Magadi Road 20 Sep (pair active
at nest).

Prinia subflava Tawny-flanked Prinia: Kampala (U) Jan 1977.
Spiloptila rufifrons Red-fronted Warbler: Lake Baringo Jun.
Sylvietta whytii Red-faced Crombec: Nairobi Mar.

Bradornis microrhynchus Grey Flycatcher: S of Narok feeding fledged young
10 Jan.

Melaenornis chocolatina White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher: Kiambu Apr, Oct (3).
Nairobi feeding fledglings 1 Mar. Kilimanjaro NP (T) feeding recently
fledged young 19 Apr.

130 East African Bird Report 1980

Muscicapa adusta Dusky Flycatcher: Mara GR May. Nairobi May. Mt Kenya Nov.
Kampala (U) Mar 1979.

Batis molitor Chin-spot Batis: Kiambu feeding fledged young 10 Aug.

Platysteira blissetti Jameson's Wattle-eye: Kakamega Forest 17 Nov (feeding
fledged young).

Platysteira peltata Black-throated Wattle-eye: S of Arusha (T) 29 Nov (feeding
newly-fledged young).

Terpsiphone viridis Paradise Flycatcher: Lake Baringo May. Nairobi May (2),
Dec, and feeding fledged young 3-14 Jly. Near Arusha (T) Oct (2)

Anthus novaeseelandiae Richard's Pipit: Nairobi Oct, Nov. Dar es Salaam (T)
Aug.

Motacilla aguimp African Pied Wagtail: Watamu Feb, Apr, May, Jun, Jly, Oct,
Dec; also Apr, May and Jun 1979 (all same nest-site in boat). Kilifi May.
Galana River Sep. Nairobi May. Lake Nakuru NP Jan. Dar es Salaam (T) Jly.

Motacilla clara Mountain Wagtail: Kakamega Forest May. Near Arusha (T) feeding
nestlings 18 Aug.

Laniarius ferrugineus Tropical Boubou: Nairobi Feb.

Malaconotus blanchoti Grey-headed Bush Shrike: Lake Baringo young from egg
probably laid end Oct.

Malaconotus bocagei Grey-green Bush Shrike: Kakamega Forest building 16 Nov.

Lanius collaris Fiscal: Nairobi area Jan, May (2), Oct (2), Nov. Kiambu Mar,
Oct, Dec. Lake Naivasha 3 May (feeding fledged young). Lake Nakuru Jly.

Lanius excubitorius Grey-backed Fiscal: Lake Naivasha Apr.
Eurocephalus rueppellii White-crowned Shrike: Kibwezi Feb.

Prionops plumata Helmet Shrike: near Mpanda (T) 4 Dec 1979 (feeding fledged
young) ? Ruaha NP (T) 4 Jan (feeding fledged young).

Prionops scopifrons Chestnut-fronted Helmet Shrike: Sokoke Forest May.

Lamprotornis chalybaeus Blue-eared Glossy Starling: Lake Naivasha feeding
young in hole 10 May. Kiambu Feb.

Onychognathus morio Red-winged Starling: Nairobi Feb. Lake Baringo young from
eggs laid May; also breeding Jan - Feb 1979 during exceptional rains and
feeding juvenile Clamator glandarius Aug 1977.

Onychognathus salvadorii Bristle-crowned Starling: Lake Baringo carrying
nesting material into crevices May (4-5 pairs).

Poeoptera kenricki Kenrick's Starling: Kilimanjaro NP (T) feeding young in
hole 20 Apr. Near Arusha (T) feeding young in hole early Nov.

Spreo hildebrandti Hildebrandt's Starling: Nairobi NP 5 Nov (feeding young
in nest hole).

Spreo superbus Superb Starling: Nairobi feeding fledged young 7 Mar (2).
Kiambu Feb, Oct. Lake Naivasha feeding fledged young 10 Feb. Lake Nakuru
NP Jly. Narok feeding fledged young 9-10 Jan.

Anthreptes collaris Collared Sunbird: Nairobi Mar. Shimoni Nov. Sokoke Forest
Aug.

Nectarinia amethystina Amethyst Sunbird: Nairobi Feb.

oie

jj

East African Bird Report 1980 131

Nectarinia bifasciata Little Purple-banded Sunbird: near Mombasa Nov.
Nectarinia erythroceria Red-chested Sunbird: Mwanza (T) Jan - Feb (7).

Nectarinia kilimensis Bronze Sunbird: Nairobi Mar. Kiambu May (2), Jun (2),
Dec.

Nectarinia nectarinioides Smaller Black-bellied Sunbird: Tsavo West NP Apr.
Nectarinia olivacea Olive Sunbird: Diani (coast) Sep. Near Mombasa Oct.

Nectarinia pulchella Beautiful Sunbird: Magadi Jun. Makuyuni (W of Arusha (T))
May (2).

Nectarinia reichenowi Golden-winged Sunbird: Nyahuhuru completed nest 13 Nov.
Nectarinia senegalensis Scarlet-chested Sunbird: Bungoma Feb.

Nectarinia veroxii Mouse-coloured Sunbird: Shimoni Dec.

Zosterops abyssinica Abyssinian White-eye: Nairobi Jun.

Zosterops poliogastra Montane White-eye: Nairobi Jun and feeding fledgling
27 Jly; feeding 2 fledgling Prodotiscus zambesiae 30 Nov.

Euplectes albonotatus White-winged Widowbird: Magadi Road Jun.

Euplectes ardens Red-naped Widowbird: Nairobi young from eggs laid late May
or early Jun.

Euplectes franciscanus Northern Red-Bishop: Lake Baringo Aug 1977.
Euplectes orix Southern Red Bishop: Magadi Road May - Jun (6).

Ploceus baglafecht Baglafecht Weaver: Nairobi Dec 1979 (2), Jun, Sep - Oct
(5), Nov. Kiambu Feb, Apr - May (2), Aug, Oct.

Ploceus cucullatus Black-headed Weaver: Nairobi Mar, Sep (same colony of 35 -
40 pairs) also Sep (2).

Ploceus heuglini Heuglin's Masked Weaver: near Soy building 7 Aug.

Ploceus intermedius Masked Weaver: Tiva River (Tsavo East NP) Jan - Feb
several. N of Kibwezi Jan. Magadi Road colonies at intervals along road
(5000+ nests) many with eggs in early Jun. Lake Turkana (8km E of Allia
Bay) remains of colony, eggs probably laid end of May.

Ploceus jacksoni Golden-backed Weaver: Lake Baringo Jun and large numbers
breeding Baringo - Mogotio area i1 Jun.

Ploceus luteolus Little Weaver: Lake Baringo Apr - Aug, also Nov 1978 - Jun
1979 (breeding continuously during exceptional rains).

Ploceus melanogaster Black-billed Weaver: Kakamega Forest building 3 Dec.

Ploceus nigerrimus Vieillot's Black Weaver: Kakamega Forest active colony
with 20 fresh nests 4 Dec.

Ploceus nigricollis Black-necked Weaver: Kampala (U) Jan 1978.
Ploceus ocularis Spectacled Weaver: Kiambu Feb.

Ploceus pelzelni Slender-billed Weaver: near Kampala (U) Jun and feeding
fledged young 2 Jly 1978.

Ploceus rubiginosus Chestnut Weaver: Yatta Plateau many colonies in area with
eggs, two nests parasitized by Chrysococcyx caprius Jan. Magadi Road many
colonies, nests at all stages from building to chicks 2-8 Jun. Lake Baringo
1000+ nests 20 May. Lake Turkana (8km inland from Allia Bay) remains of

132 East African Bird Report 1980

colony of about 300 nests, eggs would have been laid end May.

Ploceus spekei Speke's Weaver: Narok active colony 10 Jan. Loldaiga Hills
active colony of about 30 nests 26 Jun. Naro Moru active colony of 4 nests
22 Nov.

Ploceus taeniopterus Northern Masked Weaver: Lake Baringo large numbers nest-
ing May - Aug, accessible nest with small young 11 Jun. Bred continuously
Feb - Oct 1979 during exceptional rains.

Ploceus valatus Vitelline Masked Weaver: Tiva River Plains small scattered
colonies mostly with eggs 9 Jan. Magadi Road Jun parasitized by Chrysococcyx
Caprius and many (c. 200) nests along roadside in groups of 3-5 with eggs
and chicks.

Ploceus xanthops Holub's Golden Weaver: Nairobi NP building 21 Nov.

Quelea cardinalis Cardinal Quelea: Makuyuni (T) 200-250 nests nearly complete
15 May. Magadi Road May - Jun (about 30 nests).

Quelea quelea Red-billed Quelea: Tsavo West NP colony of thousands building
2 Feb. Tsavo East NP: N of Tiva River (colony 1) 17 Jan 1.5 million nests,
49% occupancy, all eggs hatched 27-28 Jan; colony 2: 19 Jan 1.7 million
nests 77% occupancy, all eggs hatched by 27 Jan. S of Tiva River 22 Jan
0.75 million nests 23% occupancy, eggs started hatching 29 Jan.

Bubalornis albirostris White-billed Buffalo Weaver: Lake Baringo small colonies
averaging 30 pairs May - Jly.

Histurgops ruficauda Rufous-tailed Weaver: Lake Manyara (T) building 9 Oct.

Plocepasser mahali White-browed Sparrow Weaver: Tsavo West NP feeding just-
fledged young 2 Feb.

Pseudonigrita arnaudi Grey-headed Social Weaver: Mara GR active colony 10 Apr
and just-fledged young 28 Apr.

Passer domesticus House Sparrow: Mombasa Jun (2).

Passer eminibey Chestnut Sparrow: Magadi Road 2-15 Jun a few pairs amongst
most colonies of Ploceus intermedius and Ploceus rubiginosus.

Passer griseus Grey-headed Sparrow: N of Kibwezi Jan. Nairobi Jun, Nov. Kiambu
May, Aug.

Passer motitensis Rufous Sparrow: Nairobi Apr, May. Kiambu Aug also Dec 1979.
Estrilda erythronotus Black-cheeked Waxbill: N of Mtito Andei Jan.

Estrilda melanotis Yellow-bellied Waxbill: Nairobi building 6 Mar.
Lagonosticta senegala Red-billed Firefinch: Nairobi Jun. Mwanza (T) Jan.
Nigrita canicapilla Grey-headed Negrofinch: Kakamega Forest building 16 Nov.
Pytilia melba Green-winged Pytilia: 30km S of Arusha (T) Jun.

Uraeginthus bengalus Red-cheeked Galion bien: near Mombasa Jun.

Uraeginthus cyanocephalus Blue-capped Cordon-bleu: Lake Baringo Jly, Aug.
Uraeginthus ianthinogaster Purple Grenadier: Mwanza (T) lining nest 8 Apr.
Amadina fasciata Cut-throat: Tiva River Plains Feb.

Lonchura bicolor Black and White Mannikin: Kakamega Forest building 16 Nov.

Lonchura cucullata Bronze Mannikin: Nairobi Nov.

- ow

Bast African Bird Report 1980

Serinus atrogularis Yellow-rumped Seed-eater: Mara GR Mar.
Serinus mozambicus Yellow-fronted Canary: Mwanza (T) Jan.
Serinus striolatus Streaky Seed-eater: Nairobi feeding fledgling 29 Sep.

LEST OF NEW SUBSCRIBERS (1980) AND CHANGES OF ADDRESS*

Baker, N.E. Box 1599, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Bishop, A.J. Box 14495, Nairobi, Kenya.

Briffett, C. Box 52428, Nairobi, Kenya.

Briggs, R.W. Box 30766, Nairobi, Kenya.

Brothers, B.J.T. Box 30280, Nairobi, Kenya

Burrell, J.H. Thika High School, Private Bag, Thika, Kenya.

*Carter, A.G.T. UNICEF, Box 1358, Khartoum, Sudan.

*Carthy, D. c/o Data Processing Unit, Prince Philip Dental Hospital,
34, Hospital Road, Hong Kong.

Chapman-Purchas, R.P. Box 1029, Nakuru, Kenya.

Crees, J. c/o Veterinary Research Laboratory, P.O. Kabete, Kenya.

Dennis, R.D. Box 59045, Nairobi, Kenya.

Drury, J. c/o British Council, Box 40751, Nairobi, Kenya.

Hartley, N. Mumias Sugar Co. Ltd., Private Bag, Mumias, Kenya.

Herzog, P. Box 25114, Nairobi, Kenya.

*Hobbs, R.N. 15 Greenacres, Westfield, Hastings, East Sussex TN35 4QT, UK.

*Holmgren, V. Vildanden B: 414, S-222 34, Lund, Sweden.

Hunter, N. The Cottage, East Lyng, Taunton, Somerset, UK.

Kent, D.F. Kenya Institute of Administration, P.O. Lower Kabete, Kenya.

Laird, J.S. Dept of Business Studies, Box 52428, Nairobi, Kenya.

*La Cour, E. Box 60598, Nairobi, Kenya.

Leveque, R. Station Ornithologique Suisse, CH-6204, Sempach, Switzerland.

*Lohding, A-M. Kronprinzenstrasse 22, D-4600 Dortmund, BRD.

McCosh, P.R. Box 45992, Nairobi, Kenya.

Maas, Bro. M. Cardinal Otunga High School, Box 520, Kisii, Kenya.

Marshall, I.G. Milmet Estates Ltd., Box 180, Nakuru, Kenya.

Masterson, A.B. 3 Kent Avenue, Avondale, Salisbury, Zimbabwe.

Matthiesen, D.G. Dept of Zoology, University of Florida, 223 Bertram Hall,
Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.

*Miskell, J. 11 Second Street, Genesco, NY 14454, USA.

Moyer, D. Box 77, Sumbawanga, Tanzania.

*Mulder, J. Verlengde Koepellaan 9A, 2061 V.D. Bloemendaal, Netherlands.

Raw, W.G. 18A 4th Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa.

*Reynolds, J.F. Rastrick Grammar School, Brighouse, West Yorks HD6 3HQ, UK.

Riley, B. c/o USAID, Box 9130, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

*Rutherford, W.J.F. 49 Rydal Road, Harrogate, North Yorks HGi 4SD, UK.

*Schwab, L.T. 963 Stewartstown Road, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA.

Scott, P. Chemoni Estate, Box 23, Nandi Hills, Kenya.

Searle, N. Box 45466, Nairobi, Kenya.

Shadel, Dr W.F. Box 30137, Nairobi, Kenya.

Sion, Father E. Box 179, Mbeya, Tanzania.

*Smith, D.W. 34 Halls Lane, Waltham St Lawrence, Berks RGi0O OJD, UK.

Spoerry, Dr A. Box 27, Subukia, Kenya.

Squelch, P. Box 30679, Nairobi, Kenya.

*Turner, P.C. 115 Kendall Rise Road, Rednall, Birmingham B45 9PU, UK.

van Lawick, T. Box 284, Arusha, Tanzania.

133

134 East African Bird Report 1980

*Wallace, S. 356 Lincoln, Palo Alto, California 94301, USA.
Walton, R.K. Box 591, Tabora, Tanzania.

Weeks, D.G. Box 25221, Nairobi, Kenya.

White, P.A. Box 30125, Nairobi, Kenya.

Whitecross, D. Box 30465, Nairobi, Kenya.

*Widstrand, S. Stora Tomegatan 40, S-22351 Lund, Sweden.

*Wolf, D.E. 2620 Railroad Street, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961, USA.
Wootton, R.C. Box 46143, Nairobi, Kenya.

Zwaagstra, L. Box 1679, Nakuru, Kenya.

New Institutional Subscribers (1980)
Ahmadu Bello University Library, Zaria, Nigeria.
Alexander Koenig Zoological Museum, Adenauerallee 150-164, D-5300 Bonn i, BRD.
California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco,
California 94118, USA.
Staatliches Museum fur Naturkunde, Schloss Rosenstein, D-7000 Stuttgart i, BRD.
Main Library, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
Zambia Ornithological Society, Box 3944, Lusaka, Zambia.

New Exchanges (1980)
Irish Birds

Birds

Honeyguide

Ecologia

Steppe Eaglé Aquila nipalensis (left) and
Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina
by D.J. Pearson

East African Bird Report 1980

135

INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES

Only Scopus 4, numbers 1 to 4 are indexed; references to birds in the East
African Bird Report 1980 are not included as they are arranged in the order of

Birds of East Africa within the report.

Accipiter minullus 75
tachiro 50, 75, 79

Acrocephalus arundinaceus 17, 26-28

gracilirostris 81
griseldis 16-19, 27
palustris 15-19, 25-28, 46
schoenobaenus 17, 25-28
scirpaceus 15, 17, 27

Actitis hypoleucos 61, 62, 84, 85, 87

Actophilornis africanus 80
Alcippe abyssinica 50, 52-55, 97
Alethe choloensis 40
fuelleborni 40, 41
Amadina fasciata 83
Amblyospiza albifrons 82
Anas acuta 89-91
clypeata 89-91
crecca 89, 90
penelope 89, 90
querquedula 89, 91
undulata 79
Andropadus ansorgei 98
latirostris 53, 54
milanjensis 40
tephrolaemus 50, 53, 81
virens 75, 98
Anhinga rufa 79
Anous stolidus 6-8
tenuirostris 6-8
Anthreptes collaris 51, 75, 82
neglectus 39
orientalis 51, 52
pallidigaster 39
reichenowi 75
rubritorques 39, 40
Anthus cervinus 72
tetvialis 17, 16, 52, 55
Apalis cinerea 81
melanocephala 76
moreaui 39, 40, 58
pulchra 47, 81
Apaloderma narina 50, 53, 54, 55
Aplopelia larvata 50, 53, 55
Apus aequatorialis 52, 75, 76
affinis 81
apus 11, 12
caffer 81
horus 10-12
niansae 81

Aquila rapax 79

verreauxi 79

wahlbergi 79
Ardeola idae 26, 42-43
ralloides 42
Arenaria interpres 84, 87
Aythya fuligula 89

Balearica pavonina 29-35
regulorum 29-35
Bathmocercus winifredae 39, 40, 58
Batis mixta 75
Bias musicus 39
Bostrychia olivacea 37
Bradypterus baboecala 81
cinnamomeus 53, 54
Bubo lacteus 80
poensis vosseleri 37, 40
Bubulcus ibis 44
Buccanodon olivaceum 76
Burhinus capensis 80
vermiculatus 80
Buteo augur 79
tachardus 37, 40, 50, 79, 92-93
Bycanistes brevis 76
bucinator 76

Calidris alba 84, 86, 87
ferruginea 60-62, 64, 84, 86, 88
minuta 43, 59-63, 84, 87, 88
temminckii 61-63

Camaroptera brachyura 51, 53-55,
81

Campephaga flava 76

Campethera abingoni 38, 76, 81
cailliautii 38, 76
nubica 52

Caprimulgus clarus 81
europaeus 16-19

Centropus superciliosus 52, 80

Cercococcyx montanus 44, 71, 75

Cercotrichas galactotes 16-19, 27
leucophrys 81
quadrivirgata 75

Charadrius asiaticus 64
dubius 61, 65, 69
hiaticula 43, 61, 64, 65, 69, 84,
85, 87
leschenaultii 65, 84, 85, 87

136

Charadrius marginatus 65
mongolus 84, 85, 87
pallidus 24, 80
pecuarius 24, 43, 65, 80

Chelictinia riocourii 80

Clidonias leucopterus 70, 95
niger 95, 96

Chliorocichla flaviventris 75
laetissima

Cloropeta similis 53

Chrysococcyx caprius 80
klaas 75, 80

Ciccaba woodfordii 50, 75

Cinnyricinclus sharpii 39

Circaetus fasciolatus 37

Circus ranivorus 79

Cisticola brunnescens 81
cantans 81
carruthersi 81
chiniana 81
galactotes 81
juncidis 82
natalensis 82
woosnami 82

Clamator glandarius 80
jacobinus 80

Colius striatus 81

Coracias garrulus 16, 17, 25, 27, 46

naevia 81
Coracina caesia 53
Corvus albicollis 81
albus 44, 45, 81
rhipidurus 52
splendens 44, 45
Cossypha caffra 50, 53, 81
heuglini 81
natalensis 41, 75
niveicapilla 81
Coturnix spp. 94
delegorguei 26, 46
Crex crex 16, 17, 93, 33
egregia 93, 94
Cryptospiza salvadorii 53, 98
Cuculus canorus 17
poliocephalus 17
solitarius Ad, 71, -S4
Cursorius cursor 80
temminckii 80

Dendropicos fuscescens 50, 53, 54

Dicrurus adsimilis 81
Dryocichloides anomalus 40
lowei 38, 40

montanus 38, 40, 41
Dryoscopus sp. 51, 53

East African Bird Report 1980

Dryoscopus angolensis 51
cubla 51, 81

Elanus caeruleus 80
Emberiza flaviventris 83
Eminia lepida 82
Erythrocercus holochlorus 75
Estrilda melanotis 51, 53, 55
paludicola 83
Euplectes ardens 82
axillaris 82
capensis 82
orix
Eupodotis hartlaubi 80
melanogaster 80
Eurocephalus rueppelli 82

Falco ardosiacus 80
cuvieri 75, 76, 80
eleonorae 17
tinnunculus 52

Ficedula albicollis 21, 22
a. semitorquata 21, 22
hypoleuca 21

Francolinus sp. 52
icterorhynchus 80
_leucoscepus 52
rufopictus 58
sephaena 52

Gallinago spp. 94
gallinago i-5, 61, 62
media 1-5, 61, 62
nigripennis 1-4, 61
stenura i, 5

Grus canadensis 34

Guttera pucherani 75

Gypaetus barbatus 79

Halcyon senegalensis 75
Haliaeetus vocifer 80
Hieraaetus dubius 37, 75, 79
Himantopus himantopus 43
Hippolais icterina 17
languida 16, 17, 19
olivetorum 16-19, 26, 27
pallida 14, 16, 17, 19
Hirundo abyssinica 81
daurica 81
fuligula 52
griseopyga 81
rustica 17, 26, 27
semirufa 81
Hypargos niveoguttatus 75

ee

East African Bird Report 1980

Indicator indicator 53
variegatus 53, 76

Irania gutturalis 17-19, 25, 27
Ispidina picta 38, 75, 81
Ixobrychus m. minutus 16-18

m. payesii 16

sturmii 26

Kakamega poliothorax 97 (98)

Lamprotornis chalybaeus 82
corruscus 76
Laniarius barbarus 82
ferrugineus 51-53, 55, 76, 82
fuelleborni 40
funebris 52, 82
Lanius cabanisi 82
collaris 52, 82
collurio 16-19, 26-28
collurio x isabellinus 17
isabellinus 16-19, 25, 46
minor 25, 27
Limnocorax flavirostra 80
Limosa lapponica 62
limosa 61, 62
Locustella fluviatilis 16-19, 25-28, 46
luscinioides 17
Lonchura bicolor 83
cucullata 83
malabarica 83
Luscinia luscinia 14-19, 25-28, 46
megarhynchos 16, 19
Lymnocryptes minimus 1

Macronyx croceus 82
Macrosphenus kretschmeri 39
Malaconotus alius 40, 58
Mandingoa nitidula 39, 75
Melaenornis choclatina 51, 53, 82
edolioides 82
Melierax gabar 79
poliopterus 80
Merops bullockoides 10
Milvus migrans 51, 80
Mirafra africana 81
rufocinnamomea 81
Modulatrix orostruthus 38, 40, 41, 58
stictigula 39-41
Monticola saxatilis 16, 17, 51, 55
Motacilla flava 17, 43, 44, 51, 72
Muscicapa adusta 53
aquatica 82
caerulescens 75
gambagae 96
striata 14-19, 27, 96

137

Neafrapus boehmi 38, 76
Nectarinia amethystina 51
bifasciata 82
cuprea 82
erythroceria 82
famosa 53
loveridgei 40, 56, 57
mariquensis 51, 52, 82
mediocris 51, 53, 55-57
moreaui 39, 40, 56-58
olivacea 75
purpureiventris 82
regia 56, 82
reichenowi 51, 53, 82
rockefelleri 56
senegalensis 82
tacazze 53
venusta 82
Neocossyphus rufus 41, 75
Neophron monachus 51, 79
percnopterus 51
Nicator chloris 75
Numenius phaeopus 84, 86, 87
Numida meleagris 52, 80

Oenanthe isabellina 17
lugens 81
oenanthe 17
pleschanka 17
Onychognathus morio 53
salvadorii 52
Oriolus auratus 76
chlorocephalus 38, 40
larvatus 38
oriolus 16, 17
Orthotomus metopias 40
Otus scops 17, 18, 81
Oxyura maccoa 79

Parus albiventris 52
Passer castanopterus 23
euchlorus 22, 23
luteus 23
motitensis 83
Philomachus pugnax 59-62, 88
Phoeniculus purpureus 76
Phoenicurus phoenicurus 17
Phyllastrephus spp. 76, 77
debilis 75
fischeri 75
placidus 50,° 52,° 53, 55, 81
terrestris 75
Phyllascopus budongoensis 47
sibilatrix 17
trochilus 15-19, 25-28

138

Phylloscopus umbrovirens 51-53, 55

Pitta angolensis 38
Platalea alba 79
Platysteira blissetti 98
castanea 98
concreta 98
cyanea 82, 98
peltata 98
Ploceus alienus 82
baglafecht 51, 82
bicolor 76
castanops 83
cucullatus 83
heuglini 47
intermedius 83
jacksoni 83
melanocephalus 83
nigerrimus 83
nigricollis 83
ocularis 83
Olivaceiceps 39, 40, 58
pelzelni 83
xanthops 83
Pluvialis apricaria 64
dominica 64-66
Ssquatarola 61, 62, 65
Podica senegalensis 69
Podiceps cristatus 79
Pogoniulus sp. 50
bilineatus 75
leucomystax 53, 54
pusillus 50, 53, 54
Simplex 76

Pogonocichla stellata 41, 50, 53, 55,

75-78
Poicephalus robustus 37
Polemaetus bellicosus 75, 80
Polyboroides radiatus 50, 75, 79
Porzana marginalis 93

parva 93-95

porzana 17, 93-95

pusilla 93, 94
Prinia subflava 82
Prionops retzii 76
scopifrons 76
Pterocles gutturalis 80
lichtensteinii 80

Pycnonotus barbatus 50, 53, 54, 81

Pytilia melba
Rhynchops flavirostris 80
Riparia paludicola 81

riparia 17

Sagittarius serpentarius 79

East African Bird Report 1980

Sarothrura spp. 94
Saxicola rubetra 17
Schoutedenapus myoptilus 38
Scopus umbretta 79
Serinus atrogularis 83
burtoni 83

mozambicus 83
striolatus 83
sulphuratus 83
Sheppardia gunningi 39
sharpei 39-41
Smithornis capensis 38
Sporopipes frontalis 83
Spreo superbus 82
Stercorarius spp. 8
Sterna albifrons 8
anaethetus 8
bengalensis 8

bergii 8

dougallii 7

fuscata 8

hirundo 70

repressa 8
Streptopelia capicola 80
senegalensis 46, 80
Struthio camelus 79
Sylvia atricapilla 17
borin 16.7 44. 2m
communis 14-19, 25-28, 46
nisoria 47, 257. 27
Sylvietta brachyura 82
leucophrys 82, 97
virens 47

Tauraco fischeri 37
hartlaubi 50, 53
Tchagra australis 82
senegala 82
Telacanthura ussheri 38, 76
Terathopius ecaudatus 79
Terpsiphone viridis 51, 53, 75,
82, 97
Thalassornis leuconotus 79
Tockus alboterminatus 50, 53, 76
hemprichii 67-68
Treron australis 75
waalia 80
Trichastoma fulvescens 97
poliothorax 98
rufipennis 97
Trigonoceps occipitalis 51
Tringa erythropus 61
glareola 61-63, 88
nebularia 60, 61, 84, 86
stagnatilis 43, 59-62

\East African Bird Report 1980

Trochocercus cyanomelas 75
nigromittratus 97
Turdoides hindei 58
jardineii 81
melanops 81
plebejus 81
rubiginosus 52, 81

Turdus abyssinicus 41, 50, 52, 53, 55

fischeri 75, 76
gurneyi 39, 75-78
pelios 81

Piaggiae 51, 53, 55
Turnix sylvatica 26
Turtur tympanistria 75
Tyto alba 46

Urocolius macrourus 81

Vanellus armatus 24, 43, 80
coronatus 80
lugubris 34
melanopterus 34, 80
senegallus 80
spinosus 43, 65, 80
Vidua macroura 83

Xenus cinereus 61, 62, 84, 86,

139

87

Zosterops poliogastra 51, 53, 55,

82
p- kulalensis 51

INDEX OF AUTHORS

Ash, J.S. Common ard Lesser Noddy Anous stolidus and A. tenuirostris

in Somalia . . . . ie * .

The Lesser Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica in northeast
Africa and the southern Red Sea
, Miskell, J.E. & Murshid, Ali A.

Arabian Golden Sparrows

Passer cuchiorus in’ Somalia and Djibouti. . 2. °:). 2. ss ee ee we ew

Backhurst, G.C. & Pearson, D.J.

Tsavo, Kenya 1979/80 ...

Southward migration at Ngulia,

Britton, H.A. Eggs from East Africa in the collection of the
Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, California .........
Britton, P.L. Ficedula flycatchers in East Africa

A clarification of the status of the Red-chested

Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius in lowland areas of East Africa ......

, Britton, H.A. & Coverdale, M.A.C. The avifauna of
Mrima Hill, south Kenya coast

Carswell, Margaret. Heuglin's Masked Weaver Ploceus heuglini

nesting in Busoga, Uganda

Casalis de Pury, R.J. & Taylor, P.B.

Exceptional numbers of Pintail

Anas acuta at Luanshya, Zambia in 1979/1980 .... eS ;
Collins, Charles T. Notes on the food of the Horus Swift ipl Soles

cS » & « + + = »

Diamond, A.W. & Keith, G.S.
pea mene Rulat 2. 1. we

Gerhart, John D. Finfoot eating snake
& Paxton, R.O.

ns a sls os oe

Avifaunas of Kenya Forest Islands.

The Green Crombec Sylvietta virens

Hegner, Robert E. Group dispersal in Hemprich's Hornbill

Tockus hemprichii ....

Howell, K.M., Msuya, C.A. & Stuart, S. N.
Cuculus solitarius in coastal Tanzania .

The Red-chested Cuckoo

© . 2 * . a . o 2 e ao . . . .

140 East African Bird Report

Mann, Clive F. Notes on the avifaunas of the Kakamega and the

Nand? Forests “ey 2s 8 ee tt et ee ee ee pe a eee
Meadows, B.S. Mapping the distribution of Palaearctic wildfowl
in East Africa ~-3980'preagress report .. 42 «sss Ss s ES dene

Nikolaus, G. An experiment to attract migrating birds with car
headlights, in the.Chyuiu Biiss, Kenya <« x wsimel mas len © eee Boe

Pearson, D.J. Northward spring passage of Palaearctic passerines

across 'Tsawe® © .8 Se DIB RUS . 2 2 0s oe ete ee Se we eS 6s wt la eeeeS
& Britton, P.L. Arrival and departure times of
Palaearctic waders’ on'theiBenmya coast . 28s Wa See we 8 es hee Oe
& Lewis, A.D. Occurrence of a Black Tern Chlidonias
mger. at Ban@upa,!Renya 24°20" 2. 1. we cs at ee ee ne Ge oOtnl Se Lee ee
& & Turner, D.A. The Gambaga Flycatcher
Muscicapa gambagae:in: northern Kenya . . 1 ss «ss = ws « wk Gokes
& Stevenson, T. A survey of wintering Palaearctic

waders in the southern part of the Kenyan rift valley ........
Pomeroy, D.E. Aspects of the ecology of Crowned Cranes

Bafeariea regqulorum in Uganda =. 200 % « ss es © 6 4% © See ee ee

Reynolds, J.F. Sympatry of Blacksmith and Spur-winged Plovers

Vaneilus.armatus and spinosus at Amboseli «s.<usi sth « « «= @oe se
Richards, D.K. Distribution of the Chestnut-banded Sandplover
Charadrius palijdus” in “fanzania’ ” A's Oe REESE I. Se an CY

Stuart, S.N. & Turner, D.A. Some range extensions and other notable
records of forest birds from eastern and northeastern Tanzania... .

Stuart, Simon N. & van der Willigen, Tessa A. Is Moreau's Sunbird
Nectarinia morqgaui a hybrid species? a; + <. sa *! geen sn wien bile See

Taylor, P.B. The field separation of Common, Ethiopian and Great

Snipe (Gallinago gallinago, nigripennis and media) ......... -
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius at Luanshya, Zambia
Common Tern Sterna hirundo at Luanshya, Zambia ......
Little Crake Porzana parva at Ndola, Zambia ........
Turner, D.A. The Madagascar Squacco Heron Ardeola idae in East Africa,

with notes. on. d&s.fieid identification,....«).«) «davies + biie bahar Ge
The Mountain Buzzard Buteo tachardus in Tanzania .....
Tyler, Stephanie J. Notes on the feeding habits of Pied and Indian

House Crows, Cerves albus and spilendens ~. si «4athove<useemet «we «lk

1980

Continued from inside front cover

Any references cited should be listed at the end of the contribution following
the form used in this issue. Names of periodicals must be given in full and,

in the case of books, the town of publication and the publisher should be given.
A number of works, which are cited frequently, should not be listed under
"References'; the name(s) of the author(s) and date(s) of publication should be
given in the text in the normal way. A list of the works concerned is given below.

All contributions should be sent to Dr D.J. Pearson, Department of Biochemistry,
University of Nairobi, Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya.
WORKS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE LISTED UNDER 'REFERENCES'

BACKHURST, G.C., BRITTON, 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. = Backhurst et al. 1973.

BENSON, C.W., BROOKE, R.K., DOWSETT, R.J. & IRWIN, M.P.S. 1971. Lhe birds of
Zambia. London: Collins. = Benson et al. 1971.

BRITTON, P.L. (ed.) 1980. Birds of Fast Africa. Nairobi: EANHS. = Britton 1980.

BROWN, L.H. & BRITTON, P.L. 1980. The breeding seasons of East African birds.
Nairobi: EANHS. = Brown & Britton 1980.

HALL, B.P. & MOREAU, R.E. 1970. An atlas of speciation in African Passerine birds.
London: British Museum (Nat. Hist.). = Hall & Moreau i970.

JACKSON, F.J. 1938. The birds of Kenya Colony and the Uganda Protectorate. 3 vols.
London: Gurney & Jackson. = Jackson 1938.

MACKWORTH-PRAED, C.W. & GRANT, C.H.B. 1957 & 1960. African handbook of birds.
Series I, vols 1 & 2. Birds of eastern and north eastern Africa. 2nd Edition.
London: Longmans Green & Co. = Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1957 and/or 1960.

MOREAU, R.E. 1966. The bird faunas of Africa and its islands. London: Academic
Press. = Moreau 1966.

1972. The Palaearctic-African bird migration systems. London:
Academic Press. = Moreau 1972.

SNOW, D.W. (ed.) 1978. An atlas of speciation in African Non-Passerine birds.
London: British Museum (Nat. Hist.). = Snow 1978.

EAST AFRICAN BIRD REPORT
This forms the fifth issue of Scopus and each report covers one calendar year.

Records of Afrotropical Region (i.e. Ethiopian Region and Malagasy Sub-Region)
and Oceanic birds should be sent to D.A. Turner [tel. 48772], Box 48019,
Nairobi; records of Palaearctic Region birds to B.S. Meadows [tel. 40535],
Box 30521, Nairobi. Records should be sent in early in the new year to ensure
the speedy production of the Bird Report.

BIRDS OF EAST AFRICA

Copies of this 270 page book are avaiable from D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi
at the following post-paid prices:

By surface mail to East Africa or to anywhere in the world: Shs. 130/-, £8.00
or US$17.00; extra costs for airmail delivery are: for Africa Shs. 56/-,
US$7.00 or £3.50; for Europe Shs. 64/-, US$8.00 or £4.00; for the Americas
and Australia Shs. 96.00, US$11.00 or £5.50.

The 40 page Check-list of the birds of Kenya is also available from D.A. Turner
at the following post-paid rates: by surface mail to anywhere in the world
Shs. 12/-, US$1.50 or £0.70; by airmail to anywhere in the world Shs. 18/-,
US$2.20 or £1.00.

ICSAMREF

CONTENTS

General “REVECW ~ 6) s 60 6 & ew co eee tes ec 6 er co ee
species Report <6 S95 Sow a ee ee) se) oe ee
Additions for previous years < . «= = = 3 2 7S Ga Ree eee ree eerste nna
'First' and "Last" dates of Palaearctic migrants <2 2 = 2) s)-tl a eee
List O£& ODSCYVErS . 5 66 6 we te eee
Bird Rangeng P1980" “2%. . se So oe es, ee ; ee eee ete eo A Pa Ay LY
East African Ornithological Studies in 1980 5 5 2S = see eee
E.A.N.H.S. Nest Record Scheme: 1980 —~ = 9. < 2 ©) a 6 peerage ee ees
List of New Subscribers (1980) and Changes of Address =~ <9) 272). =0-)=eeoS
Index of Scientific Names .. 2 « 6 2s @ ce qs) Sle et fe) rename ene Sa?

Index of Authors-. 2. «ss 2 6 8 6 % SG Se So ee

Printed in Kenya, by AMREF, Box 30125, Nairobi

oe
_ sl J.NG C0., INC.
OCT 1 41983

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