FISH EAGLES 161 



a steady southerly or south-easterly breeze, the eagles 

 soar round and round high up in the air and scream 

 frequently and loudly. 



A native told me that this was a sign of high wind 

 coming, but I do not think it is of any more significance 

 than an indication of the fine breezy weather as afore- 

 said. 



The nest of the fish eagle is a conspicuous structure in 

 the fork of a large tree. In October 1910 I saw a bird 

 carrying in its talons a mass of building material up to 

 the chosen nesting place. 



A certain large " Muvule " tree at Jinja was in use as 

 a nesting place in 1914, and I found it still in use in 

 February 1919, so that these birds would seem to choose 

 the same spot year after year. 



The fully fledged young bird has a rather untidy 

 appearance, its dark blackish plumage being irregularly 

 spotted with dull white, and it only gradually acquires 

 the magnificent snowy breast of its parents. The young, 

 two in number, remain at the nest long after they have 

 begun to fly, and are apparently driven away by the 

 parents to look after themselves. At least this is the 

 interpretation I put on what was seen on Kerenge Island 

 in January 1919. Two adult birds were soaring round and 

 round, and a third, in immature plumage, was apparently 

 objectionable to them, for they kept swooping down and 

 obviously trying to drive it away, yet not really en- 

 deavouring to hurt it, and desisting from their attacks 

 when it went a sufficient distance away. 



Another fish eating bird of prey is the common Osprey, 

 but I have unfortunately nothing particular to say about 

 it. The natives call it " Makwanzi," and a nest photo- 

 graphed on the small Islet of Wavuziwa in January 1919 

 was attributed to this bird. 



After the fish eagle the most conspicuous bird of prey 

 on the islands is a brown, yellow billed Kite, " Akamunyi " 



12 



