on birds of the Gambia.



147



our sea-birds are Terns, large and small, and the Grey-capped, 15 the

Lesser Black-hacked, and other Gulls.


Vultures are everywhere abundant and perform the still much-

needed and useful work of scavengers. The commonest species is

the black Necrosyrtes monachus, hut the much larger brown African

Griffon [Gyps) is also almost as plentiful in many places up river.


Hawks and Eagles are numerous. Of the latter the most

striking is the very handsome, white-headed, brown-backed Fish-

Eagle,! which is to be seen anywhere along the river. The largest

is probably the Crowned Hawk-Eagle, [ a crested grey and white (or

in juvenile plumage brown and white) bird of a particularly noble

mien. Other Eagles are the Bateleur,§ black with red beak and

talons, the black and white Vulturine Sea-Eagle, |j and the smaller

but distinguished-looking Black-crested Eagle. * **


Of the Hawks, many species of Goshawk, Harrier, Kite,

Kestrel, etc., down to the small Cuckoo-Falcons are common.


Owls, too, are numerous, and are all held by the natives as

birds of ill-omen. The largest is the Grey Eagle Owl, the smallest

a Scops. We also have a Barn Owl, which appears to be identical

with the English species.


Three species of Parrot are found in the Gambia: (1) a

“ Ringneck ” (Palaornis docilis) ; (2) the “ Senegal Parrot,”" 55 " a grey¬

headed, green-backed, yellow-breasted bird, rather larger than the

“ Ringneck,” but with a short tail; and (3) the Brown-necked

Parrot, tf a much larger bird with an enormous beak. The first two

are common everywhere, and frequently kept caged or with clipped

wings, the “ Senegal ” making a particularly attractive pet. The

third, on the other hand, is only found in that part of the river

where the mangroves, among which they breed, are at their best. It

is only rarely caught, and is not at all easily reared.


Cuckoos are numerous. The European species is with us

during the winter, while its African J J relation comes to us in April

and at once begins his well-known and eventually exasperating note.



* Larus cirrlioceplialus. t Haliaetus vocifer.


J Spizaetus coronatus. § Helotarsus ecaudatus.


|| Gypohierax angolensis. If Lophoaetus occipitalis.



** Potoceplialus senegalus. ft Pceocephalus fuscicollis.


H Cuculus gvlaris.



