The Nest of the White Bellied Sea Eagle
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leaves through their bills. Then off would go the parent bird to fetch a second sprig, the baby showing signs of intense excitement and delight when again they would play together with the toy. Whether the ceremony was seen or not, every morning there were two sprigs of fresh green leaves lying on the brown nest."
Plate No. 15 shows the nest.
Plate No. 16 shows the eggs after the leaves had been removed for the photograph.
As soon as the photographs were taken the eyrie was left and it was not long before both birds came into view, soaring majestically round and round in wide circles over the sea at a considerable height with motionless wings. Then one bird, presumably the female, swooped suddenly down to the eyric, alighting on the edge of the nest. After a close scrunity of the surroundings, reassured, she settled down in the nest and recommenced sitting.
We were able to get a magnificent view of the birds in flight, it was most noticeable how much the pinions were bent upwards, with the long dark primary feathers of each wing separated so that daylight could be seen between them.
The two eggs were identical, rather dirty white, rough on surface with a slight greenish tinge, unspotted and without gloss. Dimensions of egg:-2.55 by 1.95 inches.
On our next visit we were able to get quite close to the eyrie and study the bird without disturbing her. The head, neck and underparts are pure white, mantle and wing blue-grey, quills and tail black, and the tail is broadly tipped white and rounded. Bill pale blue, legs greyish-white. Whilst the female was sitting, the male bird could often be seen perched on some convenient rock in the vicinity. Only once were the two birds seen by the nest together, one being on the nest, the other on the ledge support- ing the nest.
There appears to be little difference in the size of the two birds. Exact measurements cannot be given, but the length would be up to 40 inches and wing up to 27 inches. Neither bird was heard to call at any time.
It is hoped to add a further account of these birds in a later edition of the Hong Kong Naturalist.
May 1932.
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