Three years of war in East Africa

by Angus Buchanan

LIST OF SPECIES COLLECTED

Name of Species.		Sex.	Where Secured.	Date.	Reference No.
WADERS
Plover,	Ringed (Charadrius hiaticula hiaticula)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	25.10.15	30
Stilt	(Himantopus himantopus himantopus)	♂	Bura, B.E.A.	29.12.15	81
Sandpiper,	Common (Tringa hypoleuca)	♀	Maktau, B.E.A.	27.9.15	12
HERONS, STORKS, ETC.
Hammerhead	(Scopus umbretta bannermani)	♂	Bura, B.E.A.	29.12.15	82
Heron,	Buff-backed (Bubulcus ibis ibis)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	9.4.16	110
PIGEONS
Pigeon,	Hartert’s Green (Treron calva brevicera)	♀♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	12.4.16	115, 116
Pigeon,	Rameron (Columba arquatrix arquatrix)	♂♀ juv. ♀♂	Kibosho, G.E.A.	1.5.16- 5.5.16	147, 150, 154, 155
Pigeon,	Crimson-winged (Turturoena delegorguei harterti)	♂	Kibosho, G.E.A.	7.5.16	160
Dove,	Tamburine (Tympanistria tympanistria fraseri)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	16.4.16	128
”	Red-eyed Turtle (Streptopelia semitorquata semitorquata)	♀	Lindi, G.E.A.	6.7.17	218
GAME BIRDS
Guinea-fowl,	Crested (Guttera pucherani)	♂	Kirengwe, G.E.A.	2.12.16	210
BIRDS OF PREY
Hawk,	Lesser Barred (Kaupifalco monogrammicus meridionalis)	♀	Lindi, G.E.A.	25.6.17	216
Eagle,	African Crested (Lophoaetus occipitalis)	♂	Bura, B.E.A.	23.12.15	78
”	Steppe (Aquila nipalensis orientalis)	♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	30.11.16	209
Buzzard,	Steppe (Buteo buteo rufiventris Jerd. [= anceps, Brehm])	♂	”	30.10.16	183
Falcon,	African Lanner (Falco biarmicus biarmicus)	♀	”	14.11.16	196
Falcon,	Pigmy (Poliohierax semitorquatus)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	7.11.15	45
OWLS
Owl,	Great Eagle (Bubo lacteus lacteus)	♀	Tulo, G.E.A.	26.9.16	171
”	Spotted Eagle (Bubo africanus africanus)	♂	Lindi, G.E.A.	7.7.17	219
PARROTS
Parrot,	Meyer’s (Poicephalus meyeri Matschiei) (Remarkable yellow variety)	♀	Namanga, G.E.A.	2.3.16	85
”	Brown-headed (Poicephalus fuscicapillus)	♀	Lindi, G.E.A.	9.7.17	221
PLANTAIN EATERS
Plantain Eater,	White-bellied, Grey (Schizaerhis leucogastra)	♂	Bura, B.E.A.	22.12.15	77
”	Hartlaub’s (Turacus hartlaubi)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	22.4.16	138
CUCKOOS
Cuckoo,	Lark-heeled (Centropus superciliosus superciliosus)	♀	Bura, B.E.A.	16.11.15	49
”	”	♂	”	14.12.15	69
Coucal,	Southern Green (Centhmochares aereus australis)	♂	Kirengwe, G.E.A.	20.11.16	202
Cuckoo,	Golden (Chrysococcyx caprius [= cupreus auct.])	♂♂	Bura, B.E.A.	18.11.15 14.12.15	50
”	Klass’s Golden (Chrysococcyx klassi)	♂	Lindi, G.E.A.	11.7.17	222
BARBETS
Barbet,	Black-winged (Lybius melanopterus melanopterus)	♀♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	16.4.16	125-130
”	Yellow-vented (Lybius torquatus irroratus)	♀♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	15.11.16	197, 198
”	Spotted-breasted (Tricholaema stigmatothorax)	♀	Maktau, B.E.A.	19.9.15	3
”	”	♀♂	”	27.9.15	10-11
”	Pied (Tricholaema lacrymosum)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	3.4.16	95
Tinker,	Small (Barbatula pusilla affinis)	♀	Bura, B.E.A.	3.1.16	84
Barbet,	Böhm’s (Trachyphonus darnaudi böhmi)	♀♂	”	11.12.15	57, 58
”	White-cheeked (Smilorhis leucotis kilimensis)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	27.4.16	142
WOODPECKERS
Woodpecker,	Bearded (Mesopicos namaquus)	♀	Kirengwe, G.E.A.	20.11.16	203
”	Masai Cardinal (Dendropicos guineensis massaicus)	♀?	Moschi, G.E.A.	8.4.16	106
”	Hartlaub’s Cardinal (Dendropicos guineensis hartlaubi)	♀	Kissaki, G.E.A.	9.11.16	192
COLIES
Coly,	White-headed (Colius leucocephalus)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	1.11.15	36
”	White-cheeked (Colius striatus affinis)	♂	Bura, B.E.A.	12.12.15	62
”	”	♂♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	5.4.16 8.4.16	101, 108
ROLLERS
Roller,	Lilac-breasted (Coracias caudatus caudatus)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	9.4.16	112
”	Cinnamon African (Eurystomus afer suahelicus)	♀	Maktau, B.E.A.	6.12.16	40
”	”	♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	7.12.16	212
HORNBILLS
Hornbill,	Crested (Bycanistes cristatus)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	30.4.16	145
”	von der Decken’s (Lophoceros deckeni)	♀	Maktau, B.E.A.	31.10.15	32
”	Crowned (Lophoceros melanoleucus suahelicus)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	1.5.16	149
KINGFISHERS
Kingfisher,	Hooded (Halcyon leucocephala leucocephala)	♂	Bura, B.E.A.	14.12.15	68
”	Lesser Brown Hooded (Halcyon albiventris orientalis)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	28.4.16	143
”	Striped (Halcyon chelicuti)	♂	Makindu, G.E.A.	29.7.16	167
”	Painted (Ispidina picta picta)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	14.5.16	163
”	Crested (Corythornis cristata)	♂?	Bura, B.E.A.	19.12.15	74
BEE-EATERS
Bee-eater,	Little Yellow-throated (Melittophagus pusillus cyanostictus)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	2.11.15	39
”	Southern Little Yellow-throated (Melittophagus pusillus meridionalis)	?	Bura, B.E.A.	4.1.16	85
Bee-eater,	Southern Little Yellow-throated (Melittophagus pusillus meridionalis)	♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	21.10.16	178
Bee-eater,	Cinnamon (Melittophagus oreobates)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	28.4.16	144
”	Olive-Green (Merops superciliosus)	♀	Lindi, G.E.A.	8.7.17	220
HOOPOES
Hoopoe,	Wood (Irrisor erythrorhynchus marwitzi)	♂	Lindi, G.E.A.	6.7.17	217
NIGHTJARS
Nightjar,	Inornated (Caprimulgus inornatus)	♀	Makindu, G.E.A.	5.12.15	55
”	Fosse’s (Caprimulgus fossii fossii)	♀	Lindi, G.E.A.	12.7.17	223
SWIFTS
Swift,	Palm (Tachornis parvus myochrous)	♂ young	Kissaki, G.E.A.	18.10.16	176
SWALLOWS
Swallow,	Common European (Hirundo rustica rustica)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	31.10.16	31
”	Lesser Stripe-Breasted (Hirundo puella)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	1.4.16	88
”	”	♀	”	7.5.16	157
”	Ermin’s Red-breasted (Hirundo emini)	♂	”	2.4.16	90
”	Wire-tailed (Hirundo smithi smithi)	♂	Kibosho, G.E.A.	21.4.16	137
”	”	♀	”	1.5.16	148
FLYCATCHERS
Flycatcher,	Neumann’s Scrub (Bradornis neumanni)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	7.11.15	46
”	Mouse-coloured Scrub (Bradornis pallidus murinus)	♂	Makindu, G.E.A.	28.7.16	166
”	Littoral Puff-backed (Batis molitor littoralis)	♀?	Maktau, B.E.A.	7.11.15	47
”	”	♀	Bura, B.E.A.	12.12.15	64
”	Puff-backed (Batis molitor puella)	♀♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	15.4.16	121, 122
”	Wattle-eyed (Platysteira peltata peltata)	♀	Kirengwe, G.E.A.	21.11.16	207
”	Suaheli Paradise (Tchitrea perspicillata suahelica)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	16.4.16	126
SHRIKES
Shrike,	White-headed Crow (Eurocephalus rüppelli deckeni)	♂	Bura, B.E.A.	18.12.15	72
”	Helmeted (Sigmodus retzii)	♀ juv.	Narunyu, G.E.A.	2.9.17	226
”	Yellow-spotted Bush (Nicator gularis)	♂	Kirengwe, G.E.A.	19.11.16	119
”	Black-fronted Bush (Chlorophoneus nigrifrons)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	19.4.16	141
”	Red-breasted (Rhodophoneus cruentus cathemagmenus)	♂♀	Makindu, G.E.A.	7.11.15- 18.11.15	44-48
”	Sombre (Laniarius funebris funebris)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	18.9.15	2
”	Lesser Sombre (Laniarius funebris degener)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	7.4.15	105
”	Black-and-White Bush (Laniarius aethiopicus aethiopicus)	♂	”	13.4.16	119
”	Grey-headed Green (Malaconotus poliocephalus approximans)	♀	Lindi, G.E.A.	16.7.17	224
”	Lesser Puff-backed (Dryoscopus cubla suahelicus)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	9.4.16	111
”	”	♂	Makindu, G.E.A.	30.7.16	169
”	Great African (Lanius cabanisi)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	24.10.15	29
”	Fiscal (Lanius collaris humeralis)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	8.4.16	107
”	Black-crowned Bush (Harpolestes senegalus orientalis)	♂	Bura, B.E.A.	18.11.15	52
”	Lesser Three-streaked Bush (Harpolestes australis)	♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	6.11.16	185
DRONGOS
Drongo	(Dicrurus ater lugubris)	♀	Makindu, G.E.A.	28.7.16	165
ORIOLES
Oriole,	Lesser Black-headed (Oriolus larvatus rolleti)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	3.5.16	151
STARLINGS
Starlings,	White-bellied, Glossy (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster verreauxi)	♂♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	7.5.16	158, 159
”	Stuhlman’s Lesser Red-winged (Stilbopsar stuhlmanni)	♂?	”	7.5.16	156
WEAVERS, WAXBILLS, WHYDAHS, ETC.
Weaver,	Black-headed (Ploceus nigriceps)	♂	Bura, B.E.A.	18.11.15	51
”	Cabanis’ Yellow-Black (Ploceus melanoxanthus)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	7.11.15	43
”	Golden (Ploceus aureoflavus aureoflavus)	♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	8.11.16	189
”	Uniform Gros-beak (Amblyospiza unicolor)	♀	Kirengwe, G.E.A.	21.11.16	205
Bishop,	Red-crowned (Pyremelana flamiceps)	♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	15.10.16	172
Finch,	Hooded Weaver (Spermestes scutata)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	18.4.16	133
Waxbill,	White-spotted (Hypargos niveoguttatus)	♀	Kirengwe, G.E.A.	19.11.16	200
Finch,	Melba (Pytelia melba)	♂	Makindu, G.E.A.	30.7.16	168
”	” (or Kirk’s?) (Pytelia melba belli [or kirki])	♀ juv.	Kirengwe, G.E.A.	21.11.16	204
Waxbill,	Mozambique (Estrelda astrilda cavendishi)	♀	Kissaki, G.E.A.	22.10.16	181
”	Little Ruddy (Lagonosticta senegala ruberrima)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	18.4.16	136
”	Violet-bellied (Uraeginthus ianthinogaster hawkeri)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	6.10.15	17
”	”	♀	”	1.11.15	35
”	Bengali (Uraeginthus bengalus niassensis)	♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	18.10.16	177
”	Northern Bengali (Uraeginthus bengalus schoanus)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	26.4.16	140
Whydah,	Pied Pintail (Vidua serena)	♂	”	16.4.16	129
FINCHES
Sparrow,	Suaheli, Grey-headed (Passer griseus suahelicus)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	4.4.16	97
”	”	♀	”	17.4.16	131
Finch,	Hartert’s Serin (Serinus maculicollis harterti)	♀	Maktau, B.E.A.	25.9.15	6
”	Buchanan’s Serin (Serinus buchanani)	♂	”	18.9.15	1
”	”	♀	”	9.10.15	26
Siskin,	Spotted African (Spinus hypostictus)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	15.4.16	123
”	”	♂	”	18.4.16	132
WAGTAILS AND PIPITS
Wagtail,	African Pied (Motacilla vidua)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	3.4.16	92
”	Long-tailed Pied (Motacilla clara)	♂	”	3.5.16	152
Pipit,	Golden (Tmetothylacus tenellus)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	1.11.15	38
LARKS
Lark,	Masai Sabota (Mirafra poecilosterna)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	15.10.15	24
”	Foxy (Mirafra alopex)	♂	”	19.10.15	25
”	”	♀	”	31.10.15	33
BULBULS
Bulbul,	Greater Green Forest (Andropadus insularis insularis)	♀	Kirengwe, G.E.A.	21.11.16	206
”	Yellow-vented (Pycnonotus barbatus micrus)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	3.4.16	96
”	”	♀	”	12.4.16	113
SUNBIRDS
Sunbird,	Little Collared (Anthreptes collaris elachior)	♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	21.10.16	179
”	Lampert’s Senegal (Cinnyris senegalensis lamperti)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	31.3.16	86
”	”	♀	”	3.4.16	93
”	Yellow-bellied (Cinnyris venusta falkensteini)	♂	”	1.4.16	87
”	Bifasciated (Cinnyris bifasciata microrhyncha)	♀	Kissaki, G.E.A.	18.10.16	173
”	Kilimanjaro Long-tailed (Nectarinia kilimensis kilimensis)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	13.4.16	117
WARBLERS
Warbler,	Red-headed Grass (Cisticola ruficeps scotoptera)	♂	Maktau, B.E.A.	29.9.15	14
”	Dwarf Grass (Cisticola nana)	♂	”	8.10.15	18
”	Common Grass (Cisticola lateralis)	♂	Moschi, G.E.A.	6.4.16	102
”	Uniform Wren (Calamonastes simplex simplex)	♀	Maktau, B.E.A.	10.10.15	20
”	Long-tailed Scrub (Prinia mistacea tenella)	♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	9.11.16	194
Crombec,	Jackson’s (Sylvietta) [probably jacksoni]	♀ juv.	Moschi, G.E.A.	7.4.16	103
Warbler,	Yellow-bellied Bush (Eremomela flaviventris abdominalis)	♀	Maktau, B.E.A.	10.10.15	21
”	Golz’s Long-tailed Forest (Euprinodes flavidus golzi)	♀	”	8.10.15	19
”	”	♂	Kissaki, G.E.A.	9.11.16	191
Babbler,	Aylmer’s (Argya aylmeri mentalis)	♀	Maktau, B.E.A.	26.9.15	8
”	Kirk’s (Crateropus kirki)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	14.4.16	120
Whinchat,	African (Saxicola torquata axillaris)	♂	Kibosho, G.E.A.	8.5.16	161
Wheatear,	European (Oenanthe oenanthe)	♀	Maktau, B.E.A.	28.9.15	13
”	Pileated (Oenanthe pileata)	♀	Moschi, G.E.A.	4.4.16	98

SPECIES OF INTEREST

This was, under the circumstance of soldier life, but a small collection, but it is interesting to note that they proved useful and of interest. Dr. Hartert wrote concerning them:

“Nos. 1 and 26. It is surprising that a new species should still be found in British East Africa. It seems, however, probable that the specimens mentioned by Reichenow from Ugogo as probably—judging by the somewhat poor description and figure in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society—being Serinus donaldsoni, are not the latter, but this new species, which I have described as Serinus buchanani at the January meeting of the British Ornithological Club, 1919. I have compared the specimens with the types and other examples of S. donaldsoni in the British Museum, from Somaliland, and it is evident that S. buchanani differs by its larger and less curved bill, longer wing, and more yellowish colour, especially the sides being yellow with faint stripes, not green with black streaks.

“The nest of S. buchanani was found at Maktau in the fork of a thorn tree about eight feet above the ground, on 26th September, 1915. It is a somewhat flat structure of fibres and rootlets, interwoven with cobwebs and wool. The three eggs are pale blue with purplish black dots and short lines around the wide pole. They measure 20 by 14·8 and 19·3 by 14·7 mm. They closely resemble the eggs of the Trumpeter Bullfinch.

(init.) “E. H.”

“No. 13, Oenanthe oenanthe (European Wheatear) collected at Maktau, B.E.A., on 28th September, 1915. This appears to be an early date for the occurrence of the European Wheatear so far south.