CHAPTER VII 



THE FORESTS OF KORDOFAN 



SKETCHES OF BIRD-LIFE IN THE "ETHIOPIAN 

 REGION" 



(Two TYPICAL DAYS) 



(i) I sis, January zgtk, 1913, about 10-55 North latitude 

 (north of Melut). Dawn revealed deep forest fringing 

 either bank. Hard by where we landed on the eastern 

 shore, two great eagles sat, each posted on a tall tamarind- 

 tree. There existed no special advantage for an approach, 

 so that it was with some surprise that I presently found 

 myself directly beneath the nearer eagle and shot him 

 through the dense foliage. The second stalk presented 

 less difficulty, for a leafy acacia intervened, so that within 

 half an hour I had secured both eagles a curiously easy 

 triumph. 



In Sudan the eagle knows neither foes nor fear. He 

 selects a stance on the apex of some dead tree and 

 regards not man. For here, in a pristine world, the 

 bird of prey is not an Ishmaelite nor regarded as detri- 

 mental. Should there be cover, it is safer to stalk ; 

 otherwise quite conceivably one may walk up openly 

 within shot. A similar remark applies to most of the 

 larger Raptores goshawks, buzzards, and falcons. The 

 big vultures, on the other hand, are apt to be more wary. 

 If required as specimens, it is usually necessary to stalk 

 them ; for example, I have passed right under a tawny 

 eagle sitting complacently on a tree from which several 



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