156 BIRDS 



apparently watching for fish as do the herons, but possibly 

 also dozing, for I think it is more crepuscular or nocturnal 

 than diurnal. 



Flamingoes, somewhat to my surprise, were never met 

 with on the Victoria Nyanja, but I cannot say why. 

 The lake abounds in shallow bays and quiet sheltered 

 waters, where one would think flamingoes would find all 

 they desire. 



Herons and their aUies are numerous on the islands, 

 as might be expected. The finest bird to be seen on the 

 lake shore is the goliath heron, which, like many other 

 species of the Uganda fauna, extends its distribution to 

 the west coast. 



This magnificent bird is known to the natives as 

 " Kimbala," ^ and may be seen standing at the edge of the 

 water or on rocks on every island. I should think 

 there may be one to every two miles of coast line. Such 

 large birds would, of course, require extensive fishing 

 grounds, and I have twice seen disputes between a goliath 

 heron and a fish eagle. 



On the first occasion I was examining the coast of 

 Buvumira Isle, in 1912, when one of these great birds was 

 seen flying over the surface of the water with a fish eagle 

 in hot pursuit. When the eagle came uncomfortably near 

 the heron dropped on to the surface of the water and sat 

 there with his beak in a defensive position ready to jab 

 at the eagle should it be unwise enough to attack, and 

 turning round as so to keejD facing the eagle from whatever 

 direction it threatened, erecting a crest of feathers on top 

 of its head when the eagle came near. The eagle did 

 not venture to attack, and drew off a little, whereupon 

 the heron took to flight again, its enormous wings beating 

 the air with slow strokes. Seeing its enemy again on the 

 wing the eagle made another dash at it, whereupon the 



^ Some less observant natives call this bird " Balwa," but I think this 

 name belongs to another heron, possibly the Ardea purpurea. 



