CHAPTER VII 
THE FORESTS OF KORDOFAN 
SKETCHES OF BIRD-LIFE IN THE “ ETHIOPIAN 
REGION ” 
(Two Typical Days) 
(i) Isis .January 29 th, 1913, about 10-55° North latitude 
(north of Melut). Dawn revealed deep forest fringing 
either bank. Hard by where we landed on the eastern 
shore, two great eagles sat, each posted on a tall tamarind- 
tree. There existed no special advantage for an approach, 
so that it was with some surprise that I presently found 
myself directly beneath the nearer eagle and shot him 
through the dense foliage. The second stalk presented 
less difficulty, for a leafy acacia intervened, so that within 
half an hour I had secured both eagles—a curiously easy 
triumph. 
In Sudan the eagle knows neither foes nor fear. He 
selects a stance on the apex of some dead tree and 
regards not man. For here, in a pristine world, the 
bird of prey is not an Ishmaelite nor regarded as detri¬ 
mental. Should there be cover, it is safer to stalk; 
otherwise quite conceivably one may walk up openly 
within shot. A similar remark applies to most of the 
larger Raptores—goshawks, buzzards, and falcons. The 
big vultures, on the other hand, are apt to be more wary. 
If required as specimens, it is usually necessary to stalk 
them ; for example, I have passed right under a tawny 
eagle sitting complacently on a tree from which several 
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