62 SAVAGE SUDAN 



Buzzards of two kinds the dark steppe-buzzard (Buteo 

 desertorunt] and the handsome Butastor rufipennis, rich 

 tawny, finely barred hunted the drier plain ; also pallid 

 harriers, ghostly in their pale French-grey. Marsh- 

 harriers (many showing a development of the blue 

 secondaries beyond anything to be seen in Europe) 

 quartered each nook and corner of the swamp. It was 

 curious to notice how the larger water-fowl, such as herons 



HORNBILLS (JLophoceros erythrorhynchus). 



and ibis, absolutely ignored this robber, even when 

 sweeping close overhead. Buffbacks, however, plovers, 

 and even egrets were much more nervous, rising in alarm 

 though the hawk made no attempt to seize them. 

 Eventually he made a determined dash at a crowd of 

 thirsty doves on the shore, and cleverly clawed one which 

 in panic had fluttered into an entanglement of reeds. 



One morning I noticed an eagle stoop headlong into 

 some low bush. A pack of guinea-fowl fluttered up in 

 fright, but lit again. I expected the eagle had seized one, 



