1905.] HISTORY OF THE UGANDA ANGLO-GERMAN BOUNDARY. 189 
Bibs. 
Lake Victoria is a disappointing sheet of water in bird-life as 
in fishes. Birds are of course present, but not in the vast 
numbers so extended a sheet of water in the heart of Africa 
might lead a naturalist to expect. The reason is probably to be 
found in the fact that the food-supply in the lake is very deficient 
for birds and fishes alike—for many species of birds in consequence 
of the poverty in fish. 
The White-headed Fish-Hagle (Haliaétus albicilla) is fairly 
common all round the lake-shore and up the Kagera River. This 
bird is invariably found in pairs, and appears to divide the districts 
into beats, each containing its pair of fish-eagles in possession, 
Their cheerful squalling, as described by Sir Harry Johnston, is 
one of the most familiar sounds near African river and lake. 
An Osprey may also occasionally be seen on Lake Victoria 
seizing fish on the surface of the water ina manner peculiar to its 
kind 
A species of Plotus is fairly common, and may be seen in small 
congregations at certain points where the ambatch or rocks afford a 
convenient spot for perching and hanging their wings out to dry. 
With them may also be seen the large Cormorants, which here 
and there form communities numbering several hundreds. The 
northern end of the island Usuwgwe and the small rocky 
Mwasambwa Islands and Dumo Point are favourite haunts of all 
these birds. 
A large Gull, resembling the black-backed gull at home when on 
wing, is also not uncommon close in-shore and especially in the 
rivers. 
The Pied Kingfisher is fairly common inland. The two varieties 
of brilliant-hued Kingfishers appear to forsake theix occupation of 
fishing to devote themselves entirely to the capture of insects. 
Herons are fairly plentiful in the swamps and at the edge of 
the lake. The most conspicuous amongst these is the Goliath 
Heron, a bird whose immense span of wing can be fully appreciated 
when, disturbed by a canoe, he flaps slowly across the Kagera 
River. The common Grey Heron is also a familiar sight, and at 
times flocks of the White Egret. Night-Heronsare fairly common 
along the Kagera River. 
In the lake, Egyptian Geese and Spur-winged Geese may be seen 
in small numbers; Pigmy Geese ave not wacommon near the lake- 
shore, where the open reeds afford them shelter. 
Yellow-billed Ducks are perhaps the commonest of the ducks on 
Lake Victoria. Throughout the course of the Kagera River no 
ducks and geese were observed until reaching the Rufua River, and 
especially the Karenge Lake. The latter seems a favourite haunt 
of wild-fowl, and for this region of Africa is very well supplied 
with water-birds of all descriptions. 
Huge flocks of Pelicans are to be seen, and large numbers of 
Pochards and Yellow-billed Duck ; also Egyptian Geese. 
