594 Mr. A. B. Percival on Birds 
The name vocifer is very appropriate, for during the 
wet season the loud call of this Eagle may constautly be 
heard. 
70. LoPHOAETDs OCCIPITALIS (Daud.) ; Shelley, Ibis, 1897, 
p, 550. 
a. Ad. Ruo River. 
This is the commonest Eagle in the district. It is a 
sulky sort of bird, and will sit for hours on a dead branch 
witb its feathers puffed out and eyes half- closed, looking 
more like a big Owl than anything else. It feeds chiefly on 
snakes and reptiles. Now arid then it wakes up and soars 
to a tremendous height, where it sails round and round in 
circles, makino; a most peculiar noise, more like the drum- 
ming of a Snipe than anything else ; and, as with the Snipe, 
the sound is only made during a downward sweep. 
71. Erythropus dickinsoni (Scl.) ; Shelle}^, Ibisj 1897, 
p. 547. 
fl, h. Ad. Shire River, August 1898, and February 9, 
1899. 
I obtained a female of this Falcon in August 1898, and a 
male on February 9, 1899, at almost the same spot, or one 
not more than two hundred yards distant, while on several 
other occasions I saw an individual about there. The birds 
are not wild, but scarce. They are usually seen amongst the 
borassus palms near the river. 
"Tl. Dendrocycna viduata (Linn.) ; Shelley, Ibis, 1896, 
p. 240. 
Very numerous. 
73. Sarcidiornis melanonota (Temm.) ; Shelley, Ibis, 
1896, p. 240. 
Only one specimen obtained. 
74. Plectropterus gambensis (Linn.); Shelley, Ibis, 
1894, p. 477. 
Numerous in the early part of the year, but difficult to 
shoot. 
