148



Frederick D. Welch—Bateleur Eagles



being black in whole exjflosed-to-view length in one bird, while they were

slate-grey with only the end inches black in the other bird (as in wood-

cut on p. 212, Royal Natural History), and this difference could be seen

when the Eagles raised their wings, and also when they sat with them

folded.


Personally I do not consider that the exact age of any Eagle captured

in fully adult plumage can be known ; and it also seems impossible

(in my humble opinion) to make any estimate as to the age of either

bird referred to which would get within a year or two of their ages.

The only thing presentable is to say they were “ over 12 and 15 years ”

when this account was penned, which is proved by their dates of arrival.

But one bird may have been several years older than the other when

caught—and from their wing-differences it would seem to me there is

considerably more than three years difference in age between them now.

But, be that view of mine as it may, the bird with black wing-feathers

seems to me older than the other, because it is more likely that grey would

darken into black as age advanced, rather than that a black feather

would turn grey in part. Upper parts of wing were brownish-black.

However, if either Editors or other member does not agree with this

view perhaps they will not hesitate to give their opinions in print.


As to habits, there are several voices uttered by Bateleurs which are

distinct; for instance, like the words “ uck ! uck ! ” etc., “ warr !

warr ! ” etc., “ orr ! orr ! ” etc. ; and on the ground they look rather

peculiar because of wings projecting beyond short tail when walking.

Though somewhat ancient history, it may be worth adding that several

years ago now, a single female deposited a white egg which was removed

by the then head-keeper as obviously unfertile, he showing it to me

(Birtling this was). Some reference to the habits when wild seems

worth mentioning in concluding these notes on captive birds, especially

its feeding on snakes, many of which it captures when grassy parts

are on fire, at times entering the thick smoke. When we compare the

short leg of a Bateleur with the long leg (about 2 feet, I should think,

estimating, on living bird) of the Secretary Vulture, it is clear that a

long leg is not necessary to repeatedly kill poisonous snakes by holding

them at a distance from the bird’s body when disabling them by blows

on head from the powerful beak.



