FALCONID^ 



GYPOHIERAX 



319 



web less so ; tail black with a broad white tip forming a terminal 

 band ; all the rest of the body white ; head slightly crested. 



Iris yellow to white ; bill bluish ; cere yellowish-pink ; bare 

 skin of face flesh colour ; legs dirty pink. 



Length 23-0; wing 17-12; tail 8-8; culmen 2-5; tarsus 3-35. 



The female is similar but larger; length 24-5. 



The young bird is brown with lighter tips to the feathers, 

 especially on the head and neck ; the wing-quills blackish- brown ; 

 the tail also blackish-brown with light brown tips. 



Distribution. — The Vulturine Sea Eagle is found along the sea 

 coast and at the mouths of rivers in tropical Africa from Gambia 

 to Angola on the west, and on the east only on the German east 

 African coast; it also occurs on Lake Nyasa. Within our limits 

 it has been only once obtained by Mr. T. Ayres at Potchef stroom . 

 This specimen, an immature bird in brown plumage, is preserved 

 in the Norwich Museum. 



Fig. 106. — Oypoliierax angolensis. x 



Habits. — This Eagle was formerly placed among the vultures 

 chiefly on account of its bare face and black and white plumage, 

 in which respects it resembles the members of the genus Neophroji ; 

 it has, however, the prehensile feet, rough soles and sharp talons 

 of the true sea eagles, and is best placed in their immediate 

 neighbourhood. 



The Vulturine Sea Eagle preys on fishes, on which it descends on 

 the surface of the water, also on crabs and other crustaceans. It is 

 also very fond of the outside portion of the fruits of the oil palm, 



