BIRDS OF PREY. 



2 9 



Vaillant speaks of them as shy and cautious. The food of the Screaming Sea Eagle consists of fish 

 and carrion, the former is obtained by swooping upon it from a considerable height; the prey is 

 generally carried to the water's edge, and there devoured. We were on one occasion much amused 

 by observing the manner in which a little bird (Hya's sEgyfticus) assisted in the demolition of a large 

 fish that had been safely landed and stripped of its flesh by one of these Sea Eagles. The small 



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THE AFRICAN SCREAMING SEA EAGLE {//a/iaeios VOCifer). 



but courageous pilterer ran with the rapidity of lightning to the spot, seized upon a few scraps, and 

 hurried away to devour them at a distance, repeating this operation till its hunger was appeased, 

 the Eagle meanwhile turning its head from time to time to observe its manoeuvres, but without 

 making any attempt to interfere with its operations. Towards other birds of prey the Sea Eagle is 

 far from exhibiting this amiable disposition, and usually succeeds in overcoming even the Vulture, 

 should the latter interfere with its prey. In Soudan, the period of incubation commences with 

 the rainy season. The eyrie is built upon high trees, or pieces of rock, and is formed of branches 

 lined with some warm and elastic material ; the brood- consists of two or three purely white eggs. 



