602 Dr. R. B. Sharpe on Birds 



Reichenow, J. f. O. 1896, p. 7; Sharpe, Hand-1. i. p. 267 

 (1899) ; Reichenow, Vog. Afrikas, i. p. 603 (1901). 



Nos. 275, 303. ? imm. et juv. River Ja, Dec. 12, 26, 

 1903. 



15. MlLVUS jEGYPTIUS. 



Milvus cegyptius (Gm.) ; Reichenow, J. f. O. 1896, p. 7; 

 Sharpe, antea, p. 103. 



"The Kite is the most thoroughly 'open-country' Bird 

 of Prey that we have. 



"It is not found at all in the more dense forest-region 

 about Efulen, but has been seen only from Ebolewo'o east- 

 ward, where there is more open country ; and there it seems 

 to be confined to the immediate vicinity of villages, even 

 breeding in the tall trees left in the clearings just behind the 

 houses. At nearly every village passed in the region toward 

 the Ja one or more of these birds were to be seen slowly 

 circling round and often swooping down near to the village 

 street. Once or twice I saw one pick up something off the 

 ground in the street — merely a bit of refuse. The people 

 say that these birds catch young chickens. Of the three 

 stomachs opened, the first was empty and the other two both 

 contained the husks of palm-nuts, one having a large insect 

 besides." 



16. Elanus ceruleus. 



Elunus cceruleus (Desf.) j Sharpe, antea, p. 103. 



" Another bird that seems to affect the immediate 

 vicinity of villages is the ' Viol-obam ' * (E/anus cceruleus) . 



" It is very secretive and as sly as a fox. It does not soar 

 over villages or perch in the open, but sits among the thick 

 leaves of trees or plantains just behind the houses, where, if 

 it is not greatly slandered, it watches its opportunity to dart 

 out and seize a chicken, even quite a large one, with which 

 it rapidly makes off. This bird is seldom killed, and the 

 two specimens which I obtained (c/. Sharpe, /. c.) had both 

 been fasting." 



* " ' Obam ' and ' obi ' are the terms for a Hawk in general. Many 

 kinds have no more definite name in Bulu.'' 



