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EANHS BULLETIN

NOVEMBER/DECEMBEK 1 983

CONTENTS

Revised Subscription rates /. . .

Ten great places to see birds in Kenya. Part 2

Notice . , . .

A note on the swarming of a moth

Day of the frogs

Distribution and ecology of Chamaeleonid
Society camp in Menengai Crater
Letters to the Editor

Notice . . ..... „ . o .

The EAITHS Library
Elsamere Conservation Centre
Request for information

lizards

Notices

Christmas is A.~ coming
Society Functions
The Journal

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A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

TEN GREAT PLACES TO SEE BIRDS IN KENYA : PART 2

In part 1 of this series (EANHS Bulletin 1933: 65"7!). I proposed to take’
the reader through a selection of Kenya’s many habitats with the aim of
putting him./her in the vicinity of as many bird species as possibl-e. As soon
as I got into the ’nitty gritty' however, ’ten’ became just a part of the
title and birds touchied upon included those of pelagic, coastal and estuarine
habitats, coastal forest, a rift valley lake at intermediate altitude on the
southern edge of Kenya's arid north, and finally the relatively specialised
migrant trap at Ngulia, We carry on that vein, looking at areas in the north-
west of the central highlands around Kapenguria, at a camp to the southeast
of the highlands near Kibwesi and, finally, at Lake Naivasha, a high altitude
rift valley lake and bird locality of international renown,

THE LOCALITIES

4. The Kitale-Saiwa- Kongelai area

VJhen thinking about places to be mentioned in this series of articles,

I toyed with the idea of an account of the renowned Kongelai area of north-
west Kenya but had no personal experience of the place upon which to draw.
However, in company with Peter Fletcher and in pursuit of an ever-growing
life list (what a give-away!), I have just made a trip up there and the results
were so successful that to omit this area is completely out of the question.
Apart from its suite of 'western and northwestern’ birds , the main points to
write about derive from Lise Campbell’s suggestion that, as a source of reason-
ably priced accommodation information on birds et plus que un peu de lorhomie \

I stay with Tim Barnley: many older Kenya naturalists x^rill knov/ what I am

going to ramble on about but I am fairly sure that others of more recent vintage
w^ill not, so here goes,

Tim and Jane Barnley live just off the ro.ain Kitale-Kapenguria road 22.6 km
north of Kitale and they offer tX\^o types of accommodation; you can either camp
in their extensive garden (and leave your tent and possessions in complete
security during the day - which is rare enough, anywhere novj) , or you can take
full board accommodation in their two spare, comfortable double bedrooms.

There are hot si■lox^7ersJ baths, bedding, everything you need, and sufficient
food to satisfy even my porcine tendencies. Engaged as we were in the some-
what fast and furious occupation of searching for species new to us and at
the same time feverishly collecting bird atlas records, we were seldom, in for
breakfast or lunch but ample food and hot and cold drinks were provided to
take out and the breakfasts and lunches that we did attend were also ample.

To me, an interesting day’s birdwatching followed by a hot shower and then
some good food and good company is extrem.ely agreeable, and I can only say
that the area and the Barnleys provided these amenities superbl}?- ~ and at
very reasonable price. Full board accommodation is for a maximum of four people
and advanced booking is required; full details and charges available on request
contact Tim and Jane direct at P.O. Box 332, Kitale, by letter or telegram.

Their house is not obviously signposted from the main road but they will forward
map on request,, or leave one for you to collect at the Kitale Club (on left of
main ro.ad from Eldoret, just south of Kitale) . If completely lost in their
area, a request for ’Lwana Timmy* may well put you on the right track - it
helped us tremendously. Another amenity is the 48 km (30 m.iles) of trout fish-
ing along the Murun River.

As Tim has been leading bird safaris in this area for many ^’'ears it came as ■
no surprise that, bis knov?ledge of local species is vast: you mention a bird ,
that you would like to see and. he can very likely tell just how and where to
see it. LTiat did come as a complete and utter surprise however was the
competence of at least one of his field assistants: for K.Shs.30 per day,

you can hire the services of Mr Dickson K. Chepus as a guide to the birds of ,
the area and here, for me, was the most astounding and incredible part of the

visit. Having engaged the services of local bird-finders in many countries
and often having been disappointed, I started out with a healthy scepticism
and with the reassuring thought that, if Dickson could at least take us to
interesting areas, then we could identify the goodies ourselves. What followed
was remarkable. At first a few high-flying birds were identified on call,
and I felt my initial suspicions were to be justified! names would be thrown
at anything that moved and if we were not experienced enough to contradict
these identifications then our list was going to be (a) long and (b) absurdly
incorrect. However, as that first day wore on and more and more of Dickson's
identifications ~ performed v/ithout binoculars and very often on the basis of
the bird's calls ~ proved to be absolutely correct, it dav;ned on us that we
were in the presence of an expert, and I can only express my admiration.

Of course he is not infallible, no honest birdwatcher in the vrorld is, but he
is very good. I think his cro^ming achievement was the detection of a
Spotted Creeper, silent and well camouflaged on its tree bark habitat, about
20 metres up a tree, the base of V7hich was over iOO metres distant: THAT is

eyesight!

So, you go to Tim's, hire one of these bird guides and he either shows you
around the good bird areas, identifying most of the species for you, or you
name what 5'ou would like to see and you will be taken to kno\<m localities;
success can, of course, never be guaranteed but it ran at a high percentage
during our visit. These bird guides also know the birds of Kakamega Forest
(you can meet up with one of them at the Kakamega Forest Station if j^ou don't
V7ant to go up to Kitale to pick him up, arrange this through Tim), Elgon and
the Cheranganis; they are also fully trained for mist netting of birds and
bats, even at tree-top height and can be hired for this purpose by bona fide
scientific expeditions e.g. as on the National Museum's one to Nandi Forest.

The Barnley's are a good centre for a wide range of bird areas:

a) . About 11 km (7 miles) away is the Saiwa Swamp National Park; sketch
map of hov^ to get to it and where to go when inside available from Tim;
approach road muddy and definitely 'dodgy' for any 2-wheel drive vehicle in
the wet (vi?e were stuck for over an hour during our first, car-born attempt)
but the Barnleys have a Land Rover v/hich can be hired in extremis . Entrance
to the Park free, just sign in the book. Mammalian specialities are the
Sitatunga antelope Tragelapbis spekei and the Brazza Monkey Cercopithecus
neglectns . Birds include Ross's Turaco, Blue-headed Cpucal, Double-toothed,
Yellow-billed and Grey-throated Barbets, Fine-banded Woodpecker, Snoi^y headed
Robin Chat Grey-winged Ground Robin (very skulking) , VJhite-browed Crombec,
Black-throated Wattle-eye, Blue Flycatcher, Splendid Glossy Starling (very
seasonal) and the Marsh Widow Bird (enquire re. the seasonality of all these
species before going on visit); see Briffett (1982a).

b) , Spotted Creeper: a speciality of the Kitale/Kapenguria area.

Dickson's incredible detection took place at Siyoi, a known locality, but we
also saw a pair in the valley just across the road from Tim's house.

c) . Just to the north of the Barnleys is the village of Makutano, from

vrhich the road goes down to the scenically beautiful and ornithological ly
renowned Kongelai escarpment; the road down the scarp is rocky but gritty
and posed no problems to our average-clearance limousine, and it is not
particularly steep. Specialities here include Stone Partridge (best seen
on the rocky bluffs where the road enters the base of the scarp, at dusk
when it frequently calls), White-crested Turaco, Jackson's Hornbill and
Curly-crested Helmet shrike). Dickson took us into bush around M'temberr
village, at the base of the scarp, and here got to grips with Dark Chanting
Goshawk, Brown Parrot, Silverbird, Blue-eared, Lesser Blue-eared and Bronze-
tailed Glossy Starlings and a host of other bush birds: a very good bird

locality.

d) . Bent on reaching a poorly covered bird. atlas square (36b), we pushed
on from the base of the scarp over a reasonable . sandy road to the village of

Kongelai, on the Suam River. Here shambas and riverine vegetation yielded a
superb party of Yellow-billed Shrikes (frequent here and located well nigh
instantaneously by Dickson), also kT:aite~crested Turaco, Senegal Coucal, Pearl-
spotted Owlet, Brown Babbler, Black-headed Gonolek and more Helmet Shrikes;
this area clearly merited more birdxs^atching time. We crossed the Suam over
a good bridge, immediately passed through the village of Kacheliba and were
out into drier but thick bush and, after a fevj more kilometres, 36b - but that
is the bird atlas and another story I

e) . A nexj tarmac road noxv" stretches from Kitale to about 60 km south of
Lodwar via the Maricb. Pass: a trip in this direction puts you x>;ithin reach

of many of Kenya’s northern birds and is recommended, kkiere the road crosses
the Malmalte River at Chepterr (Nakait) into South Turkana and within a few
kilom.etres north of the bridge and village, all five of Kenya’s Roller species
can be seen during November. Also look out for Quail Plover along this section
of the road, north to about Katilu, The Katilu Guest House (details from the
Manager, Katilu Guest House, Box 1215, Kitale) could well make a good forx-zard
base

f ) . Just east of Tim's place are the Cherangani Hills: I cannot give

details as I have never visited them, but there are Lammergiers, Spotted
Creepers and highland forest and of course Tim’s guides x^^ould point you at
places /birds . You have never had it so good.'

Finally, the best months for a visit to the Kitale area overall are from
October to the exid of March, the worst months are June to August inclusive.

Get up there!

5. Bushwhacker’s Safari Camp

In these times of ever-increasing accommodation costs, Bushwhacker’s Safari
Camp is the ideal place to see birds of the lox*7er bush country cheaply and, in
addition it is a beautiful and very peaceful spot. To reach it, drive along
the main Nairobi -Mombasa road as far as Kibwezi and there branch northwestward
on the B7 road tox-zards Mutomo and Kitui; after about 9.5 km (6 miles), turn
right over a small culvert (the only one you v/ill see after leaving Kibwezi);

6.4 km (4 miles) further on is a large sign to the camp, which is finally
reached after another 8 km (5 m.iles) . Except in really torrential rains the
track is passable to saloon cars, the sandy soil being much improved by normal
rains.

Accommodation offered is basic but sufficient: bring your ox^m tent and camp

at K.Shs.7/50 per person per night, or hire a banda at K.Shs. 35/- per person
per night (with shov/er) or K.Shs. 39/- per person per night (with bath), all
prices subject to alteration. Book directly through Mrs J. Stanton, Bushwhacker’s
Safari Camp, Box 33, Kibxjezi. Drinking xxrater is available, and cold beer and
sodas can usually be purchased; bring your own food and give advanced notice of
intention to rent fridge space. Mattresses, pillows, crockery, cutlery, cooking
utensils and gas burners are provided in the bandas, but payment is extra for
mosquito nets and bedding. There is a sv/imraing pool, which is most welcome
after a hot day.

At one time, there x/as concern over the security at this camp and even rumours
of its closure hox^ever, the situation is now much improved. Secxirity is now
ensured by efficient day and night askaris, and the grazing of large numbers of
goats and cattle within the camp’s grounds has been stopped: thus the site is

again a most ' attractive spot to xrander quietly around birdvxatching . And birds
do abound as shoxvn by Derek Pomeroy’s graphs of total numbers of species seen
in the area (Lexers & Pomeroy i982). The Athi River runs along one boundary of
the camp and the Wliite-f routed Sand Plover breeds periodically. Some of the
many species of the mixed bush and tall tree habitat are listed by Pomeioy &
Tengecho (1982: Masalani = Bushxzhacker ’ s area), and others include Orange-
bellied Parrot, Verreaux's Eagle 0\<fI and Bare-eyed Thrush, l-rnile good for
birds at any season, a visit during the dry months might be best in that
more species are draxsm to the river, and birds in general are more visible in

the leafless trees. There is also some rough fishing along the river.

6) . Lake Naivasha

Of Kenya’s bird sites, Lake Naivasha is probably second in international
renov/n only to the fluctuating flamingo spectacle of Lake Nakuru. As well as
being the highest (1884 mi 5181’ a.s.l.) of the main rift valley lakes in
Kenya, Naivasha differs from the neighbouring lakes of Elmenteita and Nakuru
by having an underground outflow that allows it to remain fresh, while the
latter two have very restricted outflo’ws and are thus higher level, less
evaporated and soda-rich versions of Lake Magadi (see part 3 of this series).
There are many accounts and photographs of the water-lily covered splendour
of Naivasha in its heyday, but the lilies have disappeared due to the appear-
ance of the ubiquitous C o yp u Af y ocas tor campus, and other exotic organisms
include large mats of floating Salvinia weed Salvinia auriculata (Ivens 1967)
and Louisiana crayfish Procaiclarus clarki . While all this may sound a bit
grim, Naivasha is still a fantastic place for birds and although much of the
land around it is private, there is access to the shore at several excellent
localities .

From Nairobi access is considerably facilitated by the new road that passes
through Limuru tovjnship, the old road down the rift escarpment and across the
floor of the rift near Longonot being mostly used by heavy transport. Take
the new road to Naivasha town, and then double back the short distance through
the town on the old Naivasha ~ Nairobi road to the Moi South Lake road (first
tarmac road right after the railway crossing) .

Access to the lake shore is m>ainly at four points. Three are signposted
along the Moi South Lake road: the Lake Naivasha Hotel (book through Block

Hotels, Nairobi), Safariland (Box 72. Naivasha; telephone Naivasha 29) and
Fisherman's Camp, in that order. All have boats for hire to birdwatch on the
lake, and all have excellent birdwatching along the lake edge and in the
adjacent Yellow-barked Acacia Acacia xantliopiloea groves. Personally, I shy
away from any hotel charges these days and in this area prefer the reasonable
value and beautiful situation of the top camp at Fisherman’s Camp (Briffett
1982b), v;hich is 17.5 hm along the Moi South Lake road from its junction with
the old Naivasha - Nairobi road. Camping and excellent bandas are available,
and the top camp is freer of insects than the one near the lake; all bookings
through A. A, Travel, Box 40087, Nairobi, further details from Mr M. Carnelly
at Box 79, Naivasha; telephone Naivasha 5Y2. There is also camping at
Safariland.

The death of Roger Mennell in February of this year was a very sad event
for a great number of people in Kenya; he was a most friendly character and
everyone x^ill rem.ember the warm hospitality that pervaded visits to his
Korongo Farm, It is thus very good to know that his v;ife Lucy is continuing
to provide the very reasonably priced accomimodation, either full board, self-
help or camping, at least until the end of this year; I can only hope that
it proves a continuing success and that Lucy Mennell will carry on. Access
is via the Moi North Lake road, left off the old Naivashct - Nakuru road north
of Naivacha toxma; as I remeirtber it, there is only one fork in the Moi North
Lake road, at iFnich you bear left (that is you continue on the MAIN road that
keeps nearest to the lake); Korongo Farm is signposted on the left approximately
20 km after leaving the old Naivasha - Nakuru road. The farm grounds are
beautiful acacia parkland, and there are also lake and lake-edge habitats; an
added bonus: across the Moi North Lake road from the farm is a track up to a

small gorge v/hich has Cape Eagle Owl and Wailing Cisticola. Korongo is in
general a splendid place to see birds, including the elusive Pearl-spotted
Owlet and the recently colonising Blue-spotted Wood Dove. To collect an over-
seas birdwatcher from Jomo Kenyatta Airport at night and transport him or her
to Korongo, or indeed any area of the Naivasha lakeside, for the following
dawn v;ould be an incredible introduction to African birds.

The birds of Naivasha are well listed (e.g. Williams 1967); there are few
real specialities but the sheer number of species is impressive. One group
that many observers find confusing are the numerous noisy lovebirds that
abound in the acacias around the lake: these are descendants of escaped

cage birds and while both Fischer’s and Yellow-collared Lovebirds are supposed
to be present, they have predominantly interbred to produce a hybrid which has
more of the features of the latter species (Cunningham-van Someren 1969;
Forbes-Watson 1972; Mann & Britton 1972; McVicker 1982),

A trip to Naivasha should include a visit to the Njorowa or Hell’s Gate
Gorge: about 14.5 km from the junction of the Naivasha - Nairobi road and the

Moi South Lake road, turn left near an electricity sub-station and sign in at
the barrier; proceed along a dirt road to an obvious 90° right turn in view of
the gorge’s cliffs and drive towards them; beware ot thieves and do not leave
vehicles unattended. This area may be made into a National Park but I do not
know how this is progressing. Besides the spectacular cliffs and the isolated
volcanic neck of Fischer’s Tower (Thompson & Dodson 1963), this northern end
of the gorge is a locality for Lammergier, Egyptian and Ruppell’s Vultures (see
the latter roosting on the cliffs at dusk: Lexvis 1982c), Verreaux’s Eagle,
banner. Mottled and Nyanza Sxvrifts and Wailing Cisticola (the latter on the
screes at the base of the cliffs) .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am very grateful to Lise Campbell, Eric Risley, Terry Stevenson and
Don Turner for various bits of information connected x^fitb these localities,

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Briffett, C. 1982a. Camp at Saiwa Swamp, 1 1 th - 13th December 1981.

EANHS Bulletin 1982: 15-17.

1982b. Society Weekend at Fisherman’s Camp, Naivasha.

EA.NHS Bulletin 1 982 : 110-112,

Cunningham-van Someren, G,R. 1960, Escapes of FS ittacula krameri and Agapornis
spp. breeding in Kenya, Bulletin of the British Ornithologis ts ' Clu L
89: 137-139.

Forbes-Watson, A,D. 1972, Birds naturalised in East Africa. EANHS Bulletin
1972: 144-146.

Ivens , G.W. 1967. East African Weeds and their control o Nairobi: Oxford

University Press.

Lewis, A.D, 1982c. Field trip to Kell’s Gate, Naivasha, EANHS Bulletin
1982: 14-15.

&. Pom.eroy, D,E, 1982, A bird atlas for Kenya EANHS Bulletin

1982: 64-70,

Mann, G.F. ^ Britton, P,L, 1972. Naturalised birds on the Kenya coast.

EANHS Bulletin 1972; 181-182.

McVicker, R.A.M. 1982, Exotic birds in Mombasa, EANHS Bulletin 1932: 74.
Thompson, A.O. & Dodson, R.G, 1963. The geology of the Naivasha area.
Geological Survey of Kenya Report No. 55.

NOTICE

After the last EANHS visit to Bushwhackers Safari Camp, between 15 and 17 July
1983 an altimeter was found on the camp site.

Would anyone who has lost one please write to Mrs Jane Stanton at Bush-
whackers Safari Camp, P,0, Kibwezi.

A NOTE ON THE SWARMING OF A MOTH

From about 6 - 14 March 1983, residents of Kampala City were mesmerised by
unusually large swarms of a usually uncommon species of moth Achaea catocalaides
Guenee (Family Noctuidae, subfamily •Catocalinae) . Rough estimates on walls of
buildings at Makerere University gave diurnal densities upwards of 50 mpths
per , and similarly high numbers appear to have invaded other parts of Kampala,
including bushes and hedges. Swarms of the same species were reported during
the same period at Jlbarara and Fort Portal in Western Uganda, Mbale and Soroti
in Eastern Uganda, and later, at the beginning of April at Kisumu in Western
Kenya ,

It is not knovrn where the moths came from. Inquiries as to whether there had
been unusual numbers of lepidopteran larvae in the region prior to the swarms
have been negative; nor has there been reports of larval outbreaks since the
swa7:ming. This seem.s to rule out the possibility that the moths may be a pest
of cultivated crops. It may well be that the moths flew in from outside the.
region.

The family has an Africa-wide distribution (including Madagascar) and includes
species which are known migrants (M. Clifton, pers . comm.). It seems plausible
to assume that these sv/arms of A. catocaloides had migrated into the region.

So far as I can make out, no previous record of swarms of this species has
been made in the region, nor can any of the senior citizens of the region to
whom I have talked remember anything like it taking place in the past.

I 'wish to record my thanks to M. Clifton of the National Museums of Kenya
for help in the identification of the moths.

E.M. Tukahirwa, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

DAY OF THE FROGS

EARLY JUNE, LATE AFTERTnOON . It V7as a dull overcast day, promising rain, but
there had been several such days previously when the rain clouds had disinteg-
rated into blue skies. There was an insistent rustling in the garden that
would not be denied, so I sauntered out to see 'v;hat gives'. The rustling
was emanating from the fallen Cordia leaves covering the lawn. The cause -
several hundred frogs thought to be the African Clawed Frog (those flat jobs
that we are alwaj^'s scooping out of the swimming pool) migrating over the laTm,
up past the servant's quarters , across the road to my neighbour's house and
presumably on dovm to the Kitisuru stream at the bottom, of his garden.

The neighbour's children vrere squealing with delight as they bashed what frogs
they could with brooms, I protested at their behaviour but my neighbour
insisted they were t7.ying to get into his house; I assured him that they were
more likely trying to get to water, I tried to find out where they had come
from, but I must have caught the tail-end of the migration as the trail went
cold half-way down my garden. The column, if such a scattered, untidy mass
could be called that, was about 30 metres across and pressed forward relent-
lessly with the intensity that seems to accompany all such mass movements.

My gardener took one look at the frogs, and said it was going to rain. About
half an hour later, returning home after visiting Lise Campbell, the heavens
opened and I had to put my windscreen wipers at double speed and still could
not see to drive. Jili Campbell said these frogs were normally in water and
one did not often see them, on dry land, and she identified them for me from

my description. The migration seemed to be confined to the one column
crossing my garden as I could find no trace of other migrations along the
road. This is the first time in the five years that I have lived in this
house that I have witnessed this phenomenon.

D. Brass, Box 59196, Nairobi.

LECTURE BY Dr J.J. HEBRARD ON DISTRIBUTION & ECOLOGY
OF CHAMAELEONID LIZARDS IN KENYA

Chamaeleons are certainly among the most puzzling and fascinating of all
creatures not only among lizards. Dr Hebrard in this lecture dealt only
with the distribution and habitats showing us maps which of course I cannot
reproduce for those who were not there. But what did I learn from the
distribution?

Chamaeleons are an extremely ancient race. A fossil was found during the
excavations at Fort Ternan which has been dated at about 14 million years
ago. It cannot be placed in any of the present species, but it is an
undoubted Chamaeleon, and must have lived in much the same way as they do
noxsT. Varying times have not forced much change upon them in all these years
in v;hich most of us have changed so mtich. There are only two genera, the
ordinary Cliamaeleon x^hich v?e know, and the pygmy Chamaeleon BrooJzesJ.a of
which Dr Hebrard found- a small population in the Shimba Hills. Otherwise
they have not been found nearer than Southern Tanzania. They are comxnon in
Zambia.

Chamaeleons al' seem to have, originated in East Africa, though one species
has been found in Southern Europe and another in India. One wonders how
they got there I But most of them still live in East Africa and Madagascar.
They must be considered an extremely successful family in spite of their
slow movements and lack of any form of x^?eapcns offensive or defensive.

Their very appearance is apt to excite fear. I have seen a Fiscal Shrike
eating one, its red blood attracted my attention. But many human beings
consider them very dangerous, and even my dogs it they find one grounded and
Standing in front of them with open mouth, make many quick feints at it
before a final snap, leaving me time to rescue it if I am there. But of
course its chief defence is its cryptic colouration combined vjith its very
slow movements. It lumts its prey by xv^aiting as its long extensile tongue
makes it unneccessary for it to pursue its prey. It was interesting too,
to hear that it sometimes eats things that do not m.ove fast, like small
snails, and has teeth with which it can crunch these. Changes of colour
can also indicate mood, in the presence of other cham.aele.ons and at night
when asleep they turn pale. Dr Hebrard found that the best v;ay to find
them x«7as at night in the headlights of a car or with a good torch.

In spite of their slov? movements and apparent helplessness they have
managed to colonise m.ost habitats from m.outain moorland to the coast.

Dr Hebrard and txvo colleagues wrote a very interesting paper for our Journal
(No. 176 of September 1982) in xixhich they described a study that they made of
,Caamaeleo hohnelli in‘*Ehe Aberdares comparing it with the Skink MaLuya varia
which inhabits the same area. I shall not repeat any of it now, but members
who received it, should look it up again in connection with this lecture.
Another study that Dr Hebrard made was in the Athi plains below Luken^^a, where
in the dry xveather there is' very little moisture or insect food. The Society

made a "Dudu crawl*' in that area some time ago and I was astonished how few
insects we managed to find. In such an area in dry weather the only green
spots in the landscape are the Balanites bushes y and a sort of intersexual
competition seems practised by the Chamaeleons. The females are larger and
occupy the Balanites and are green in colour vjhile the males are banished co
the ground or the leafless bushes and are appropriately brown in colour.

In hard seasons the population probably dies off wholesale, but builds up
again quickly when better times return.

Dr Hebrard did not make the mistake of trying to tell us too much or show
us too many slides, but left us eager for more. I cannot help being sorry
that, now-a-days, it is the fashion to cut the question time so short. The
meeting is closed and those who are interested gather round the speaker to
ask questions which if asked and answered in the open would allow profit to
the rest of us. Of course those who are in a hurry must go, but those x-rho
are not .night stay a little longer, until it is time to put out the lights.
In the early days of the Society, meetings seem, to have taken the form of
someone reading a paper which was then discussed and the discussion seems
to have been the main part of the meeting. But of course they had no slides
in those days.

P.M. Allen, Box 14166, Nairobi.

SOCIETY CAMP IN MENENGAI CRATER 26 - 28 AUGUST

This camp x^as held on private land in the Menengai Crater by kind permission
of Mr and Mrs P. Barclay. They also provided excellent maps to show us the
V7ay to the camp site and of the crater tracks.

Some lucky people x\rere able to arrive on the Friday afternoon while the
main party assembled the following morning. The camp site set aside for us
was delightful with plenty of shade under the Acacia trees, a green grass
carpet and a plentiful supply of firevjood provided by our hosts.

The lava floor in this part of the crater appears to be much older and
weathered than the floor usually seen from the vioxsT point on the opposite
side of the crater. As a result it is more fertile and supports a varied
flora. While we. saw a variety of trees, the dominant species were Protea
gaguedi and Tarchcnanthus camphoratus . There were extensive thickets of the
former species, some in flox'xer, and a unique sight. The area has obviously
been burnt over in the past year, as the Tarcho.nanthus seen were all regrowth
from burnt stems. This is the plant known as Leleshwa.

We saw a variety of ground orchids, and in one place, most surprisingly a
clump of Impatiers sodenii.^ xMiich is usually associated with damp wet
situations. Gould this have been a garden escape?

About forty species of birds xvcre identified on the bird walks which was
disappointing as one v/ould have expected m.any more. I suspect that this vjas
due to the absence of our usual hard core of experts who were not with us on
this camp.

There was a marked absence of birds of prey, the only species identified
being the Augur Buzzard. With the cliffs full of Rock Hyrax we expected to
see eagles and other predators and if they had been there we would have seen
them

It started to rain on Saturday evening which upset our usual camp-fire
discussion, but it was clear and fine again on the Sunday morning. There
were nine vehicles with tx-zenty five participants x^rhich was a very manageable
num.ber, althoxagh more were expected. The organisers, Tim and Lise Campbell
x^ere unable to attend due to illness and we missed them.

I speak for all of us on the camp when I say how grateful we are to
Mr and Mrs Barclay for allowing us to camp in this very beautiful and
interesting place. Those who did not attend missed a unique experience.

Tom Grumbley, Box 200 5 Kiambu, Kenya.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Sir 5

I note Miss Allen's letter on the subject of life membership in your
September /October issue.

I think that Miss Allen has mis-read the notice on the subject in your
previous issue.

She assumes that existing life members are affected by the decision,
vjhereas the decision is only to cease to accept new life members from the
effective date, that is IS May, 1983.

Another solution may have been to raise the cost of life membership to
a realistic level, but no doubt this was also considered.

It may have been desirable to have this matter discussed at the Annual
General Meeting. Hoxvfever, the fact that existing members are unaffected
m.eans that people like Miss Allen continue to enjoy the privileges for their
life-time .

Tom Grumbley, Box 200, Kiambu.

Sir,

Thank you for letting me see Mr Grumbley 's letter and for the opportunity
to reply. He has of course missed the point of my no doubt ill-expressed
note. It was quite clear from the original announcement that existing Life
Members would not be affected by the new rule.

What I questioned was whether the Executive Committee, which is appointed
to carry out the policy of the Society, can make what appeared to me to be
a major policy decision without reference to a full meeting of the Society
at an Annual General Meeting.

P.M. Allen, Box 14166, Nairobi.

Sir,

At Samburu Game Reserve on 14 August, 1983 at approximately 10 a.m., we
watched a large Verreaux' Eagle Owl Bu Jo lacteus pluck and eat another Owl.
Feathers collected at the site were positively identified by Mr Cunningham-van
Someren as those of a Spotted Eagle Owl Buto africanus .

There is little doubt that the larger owl actually killed the smaller owl.

Peter Davey, Box 15007, Nairobi.

N0TI3E

Since the above two letters on the subject of Life Membership were typed,
notification has been received from the Executive Coimnittee that it has been
resolved to rescind the decision to discontinue Life Membership. See page 82.

THE EANHS LIBRARY

Dear Members

The joint Library of the E/iNHS and the National Museums of Kenya
in Nairobi has been improved and expanded tremendously. The Library is
indeed a major achievement which the Society has contributed to its members
in particular and to East Africans in general. Recently, the Society
benefited from a donation of over K.Sh. 200000.00 which was used for the
expansion of the Library, and for which we are very grateful.

The Library hox'^ev.er , lacks one vital section of a complete Library, which
is a bindery. The two major pieces of equipment needed for this are:

1). Ah Electric Guillotine and (2). A Press Down Machine, both being
estimated to cost roughly USE 20 000 .

A gift of or donation for either or both of these machines, even second
hand ones, would be appreciated. We are told that either a German or
French make of these machines Tvould be preferable.

Please write to us if you have any offers.

' Thank you,

EANHS Executive Committee
P.O. Box 44486, Nairobi, Kenya.

, ELSAMERE CONSERVATION CENTRE

In November 1983, the Elsamere Conservation Centre is to be opened at
Lake Naivasha by the Elsa Trust (Elsa Ltd).

This will consist of the late Mrs Joy Adamson's house, v;hich has been
enlarged and there will be acconrmodation for thirteen people in six double
and one single room, vrith full board at very reasonable charge.

Elsamere is NOT an hotel and is for the use of bona fide research and
conservation vrarkers such as University groups, writers or film makers
working on natural history, members of genuine Conservation tours visiting
Kenya and members of recognised scientific societies which includes the E/iNHS,
Members of the public may visit Elsamere every afternoon between 3.0 p.m.
and 5.0 p.m,. and the lake frontage and forest walks will be open to them.

An entrance fee will be charged which will include afternoon tea.

Elsamere is situated on the South Lake road and; is, 23 km from Naivasha
town. ' ■

There is a Warden in charge from whomi full details of the facilities
available can be obtained. The address is:

Elsamere Conservation Centre, Box 4, Naivasha. Tel. Naivasha 50Y9.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Will anyone having information on the nature and timing of Bustard displays
please write to me at the address below. I am interested in details for
Koriy Heuglin'sj White-bellied, Black-bellied, Hartlaub’s and Buff-crested
Bustards and of particular concern is the situation in ?leru National Park.

Further work is continuing on the tool-using behaviour of the Egyptian
Vulture. Questions arising from the x^!ork include the nature of post-
fledging dispersal of immature birds, x^hether or 'not they remain xi/ith the
parents, and if so, for how long. Will anyone who makes observations of
Egyptian Vultures, or has done previously, please send me details of the
make-up of parties seen. Observations of single birds are equally welcome.
Details should include; date, location (including proximity to nest if
known), number of birds and their ages.

All letters will be acknowledged with thanks.

John Fanshawe, Box 15563, Mbagathi, Nairobi.

WANTED

Upland Kenya Wild Flowers by A.D.Q. Agnew. Joan Root, Box 43747, Nairobi.
Dale & Greem^^ay, Kenya Trees and Shrubs. A. Speich, Box 59434,,. Nairobi .
One baby’s pram or pushchair . Adrian Lewis, Geology, Box 30197, Nairobi.

FOR SALE

Roberts, Birds of South Africa 1966. Sh.200/-. Jex-B.lake, Gardening in East
Africa. 1960 edition Sh.200/-, 1934 edition Sh.l50/-. All these books -are
in good condition. Tom GrumbLey,. Box 200/- Kiambu.

Full selection of camping equipment. Mrs van Rensburg, Box 4116-8, Nairobi.

TO LET

Coast House, 30 km north of Mombasa. Secluded in 10 acres of grounds with
own stretch xjf sandy beach.

Large sitting room and .dining room, huge verandah. 4' double bedrooms each
with own dressing room and bathroom. Mains water, own generator.

Fully furnished. Gas cooker, fridge and freezer (but no linen). Ideal for
two families.

Sh.650/- per day high season, Sh.450/- per day low season (plus 15% Govt,
levy) ,

Apply to Mrs A. Brown, Box 90154, Mombasa. Tel. 312403 (office hours).

FOUND

A black jumper, at last lecture meeting in the Museum Hall. Apply Secretary.

NOTICE

The price of the Bulletin will be increased to Sh.lO/- per copy from January

1984.

CHEISTMAS IS A-COMING

We have the following suggestions for those stocking fillers:

; Encyclopaedia, of Mammals
Encyclopaedia of Insects & Arachnids
Aloes of Tropical Africa and Madagascar
Birds of East Africa (2 Vo Is.)

And how about a couple of packets of our Notelets with envelopes (you can
add stamps for local arid overseas postages plus airmail stickers)?

An ideal ''pressie’' for Aunt Ada, Cousin Maud or Great Uncle Fred who find
it a little difficult to get out and about but who still enjoy writing
to family and friends.

For budding colouring-in youngsters, we have a delightful book v;hich
will keep . the artists occupied for hours.

Tis’C records ~ 'Sounds of Mature’ - 'Birds of the African Rain Forests’.

A bargain at Sh,90/- for the set.

SUPPORT YOUR society! Come in and see us any Monday, Wednesday or Friday
9.30 am to 12.30 p.m. Your suggestions as to future Field Trips, Weekend-
Camping Trips and other activities will be most welcome.

Once again, the Editor of . the. Bulletin urgently requests contributions.

Should any Members have taken a holi4ay abroad recently, may we suggest
that a note on the natural history, particularly if of another African
country or the off-shore islands, would be of great general interest.

Please remember that NO CONTRIBUTIONS ~ NO BULLETIN or a' very meagre one.

TIME FOR A. CHANGE

Since before 1971 I have been organising the Functions for the Society except
for short periods, when we have been abroad.

We have mad'e many friends, learnt a lot and been to many interesting places.
However, as we shall be away from Kenya a lot in the coming year I feel it
is time for a ’’New Look” at the functions programm.e,

A new approach is needed to get members more involved with the planning.
Please come forward with new ideas of what you would like to do and how you
can help plan the Society Functions. I am sure there are plenty of members
with bright ideas, so please see the Secretary or the Committee (see above!),

I shall be away until the end of October, but there is a full programme up to

and including January 9, 1984.

Lise Campbell, Functions Organiser.

SOCIETY FUNCTIONS

MONDAY 14th November, 1983: In the Museum Hall, Nairobi at 5.30 p.m.

Dr Esmond Bradley Martin will give an illustrated lecture on "THE DECLINE
OF THE AFRICAN AND ASIAN RHINOCEROS".

SUNDAY 27th November, 1983: All day excursion to "POTHA" near Machakos , by

kind arrangement of Mrs Dorothy Percival. Please meet at the National Museum
at 9 a.m. sharp and be prepared for x^alking, bring your picnic lunch.

There should be plenty of bird activity and wild flowers blooming at this time.

lOth - 12th December, 1983: week-end camp to Sotik, by kind invitation of

Mr and Mrs C. Ziegler. This camp will be on private land about 15 km from
Sotik on a tea estate, but with xi/ild areas with plenty of opportunity for
bird watching and botanising in a seldom visited area. Sotik is in Western
Kenya. Members should be self-sufficient with all camping equipment, food
and drinking water. Anyone wishing to take part in this excursion should
please fill in the enclosed form and return it to Mrs A.L. Campbell, P.O.

Box 14469, Nairobi with a stamped self-addressed envelope before 20th
November. Further directions and details will then be forwarded.

MONDAY 5th December, 1983: In the Museum Hall, Nairobi at 5.30 p.m.

FILM SHOW "The Living Planet" and "Season in the Sun" both films are kindly
loaned -by the Wildlife Clubs- of Kenya.

MONDAY 9th January, 1984: In the Museum Hall Nairobi at 5.30 p.m,

A lecture;details of which will be announced in the next issue. ’

MONDAY 21st November, .J 983:. A SPECIAL EXTRA LECTURE in the Museum Hall,
Nairobi. Given by Dr Lester L. Short, who will be in Kenya for a limited
period..- His subject: THE HONEYGUIDE/lUilOWN’ AND UNKNOWN.

WEDNESDAY MORNING BIRD WALKS: Led by Mrs Fleur N'gweno continue. Please

meet at the National Museum at 8.45 a.m. sharp.

NOTICE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN BIRDS:

are you a birdwatcher /photographer /ringer newly arrived in Kenya,
and in search of details of local birds, good areas to visit, relevant -
literature and ringing and other research schemes?. Contant Adrian D.
Lewis (Geology), Box 30197, Nairobi, for information.

THE JOURNAL

The following Journal part is ready for distribution.

No. 179 Predation by Mongooses;, rodents and snails on Sitala jenjnsi (PFR.)

Achatina fulica Bov;dich and other land snails in coastal Tanzania,
by P,F. Kasigwas A.J. Mreina and J.A. Allen.

Would any local member who has not opted to receive all Journal parts and who
would be interested in having this paper, please return the enclosed slip to
the Secretary who will then arrange to post it.

May we wish all members and friends a very Happy Christmas and
a prosperous New Year!

I v/isli to receive Journal paper Ho. 179

d ane

(pi ease print clearly)

Adclr e s s ; . .

cut along s

THE EAST AFRICA NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Chairman: Prof. J.O. Kokwaro
Vice-Chairman: Dr. A.D. Lewis

Joint Editors: Jl E. Africa Nat. Hist. Soc. Nat. Mus.: M.E.J. Gore, Ms. S. Karmali
Secretary: Mrs. H. Fletcher
Treasurer: Dr. S.G. Njuguna
Hon. Librarian: Mrs. C. Taylor

Executive Committee: (in addition to the above) Mr. G.C. Backhurst (Ringing Organiser), Mrs. A.L.
Campbell, Mr. N.K. arap Chumo, Dr. D.J. Pearson, Mr. D.K. Richards, Mr. D.A. Turner
Co-opted Members: Mr. P. Davey, Mrs. J. Hayes, Mr. J.S. Karmali, Mrs. F. Ng'weno, Mrs. K. Smalley,
Mr. P.B. Taylor (Nest Record Scheme Organiser)

Journal Editorial Sub-Committee: M.E.J. Gore, Ms. S. Karmali

Ornithological Sub-Committee: Dr. D.J. Pearson, D.A. Turner, G.C. Backhurst, A.D. Lewis, T. Stevenson,
D.K. Richards, M.E.J. Gore, M.E. Smalley, K. Howell and N.E. Baker, J. Beesley (Tanzania), M.J. Carsell
and D.E. Pomeroy (Uganda), B.S. Meadows and J.F. Reynolds (United Kingdom)

Joint Library Sub-Committee: (Society representatives) Mrs. C. Taylor, Mr. N. arap Chumo.

MEMBERSHIP

This offers you free entry to the National Museum, Nairobi; free lectures, films, slide shows or discussions
every month in Nairobi; field trips and camps led by experienced guides; free use of the Joint Society-
National Museum Library (postal borrowing is also possible); reciprocal arrangements with the Uganda
Society's Library in the Uganda Museum, Kampala; family participation: wives and children of members
may attend most Society functions; one copy of the EANHS Bulletin every two months; a copy of each
Journal published during your period of membership; the Society controls the ringing of birds in East
Africa and welcomes new ringers and runs an active Nest Record Scheme; activities such as plant mapping
and game counting are undertaken on a group basis. Membership rates are given at the foot of this page.

JOURNAL

The Society publishes The Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum. Each
issue consists usually of one paper, however, sometimes two or more short papers may be combined to
form one number. The aim of this method of presentation is to ensure prompt publication of scientific
information; a title page is issued at the end of each year so that the year's papers may be bound together.
Contributions, which should be typed in double spacing on one side of the paper, with wide margins,
should be sent to the Secretary, Box 44486, Nairobi, Kenya. Authors receive twenty-five reprints of their
article free, provided that these are ordered at the time the proofs are returned.

E.A.N.H.S. BULLETIN

This is a duplicated magazine issued six times a year, which exists for the rapid publication of short notes,
articels, letters and reviews. Contributions, which may be written in clear handwriting or typed, sliould
be sent to The Editor (EANHS Bulletin), Box 44486, Nairobi, Kenya. Line drawing will be considered if
they add to the value of the article. Photographs cannot be published.

SCOPUS

The Ornithological Sub Committee publishes this quartely bird magazine. Cost: EANHS members KSHS.
75/= p.a. All correspondence to D.A. Turner, Box 48019, Nairobi, Kenya.

MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Institutional (schools, libraries) annual p^ment: KShs. 70/=

Full Local and overses annual payment: KShs. 70/=

Junior (full-time student, no 3r,

Journal supplied) annual payment; KShs. 10/=

Subscriptions are due 1st January. Form 1st July you may join for KShs. 35/= and receive publications
from that date. /Application forms for membership are obtainable from the Secretary, Box 44486, Nairobi.

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