92
The Hong Kong Naturalist.
Vol. III, No. 2.
[ 80 ]
THE NEST OF THE WHITE BELLIED SEA EAGLE.
(Haliatus leucogaster).
E. A. AYLMER.
The eyrie was first discovered on January the 23rd and even at this early date the nest contained two eggs and the female bird had commenced to sit. These birds must be our earliest breeders in the colony. Prior to finding the nest, the male bird had been seen soaring overhead before dis- appearing over the hill tops as we approached nearer to the nest. The white head, neck and underparts of the sitting bird could be seen at some distance off and the bird remained sitting on the nest until we were com- paratively close.
The eyrie was placed on precipitous ledge of granite rocks, the ledge was broad and in a well sheltered position. It consisted of a huge structure of branches and twigs chiefly from pine trees and neighbouring shrubs. The lining consisted of a plentiful display of pine needles, pampas grasses, smaller dried twigs, fern fronds and dried grasses. The top of the nest was a very slightly cup shaped depression. It had the appearance of being an ancient cyrie, refurbished each year until it had assumed vast proportions, being fully twelve feet deep and over six feet in width.
It is well known that a pair of cagles, if left undisturbed will return year after year to the same nest.
Owing to its size and the wing span, the bird can only alight on a broad ledge, this would also account for the breadth of the nest. Branches of living shrubs were noticed growing out of the side of the nest which supports the supposition that it is of a considerable age. There was a sprinkling of white down from the birds' breasts about the nest. This year's building could be easily seen as a top layer some six inches in depth. Two cuttle-fish shells were seen lying on the side of the nest and a piece of rope was also noticed.
The two eggs were partially covered by fresh green leaves of the Rhodomyrtus, as if the eggs had been purposely concealed before the birds left the nest. Or is this another example of what Mr. Anthony Buxten believes of the Honey Buzzard, namely, that these birds like fresh green leaves about them, just as we like fresh flowers.
To quote from Mr. Anthony Buxton, in his letter on some of the birds which nest at Geneva," given to the Norfolk and Norwich Bird Pro- tection Society at Stuart Hall Norwich. In this lecture, Mr. Buxton described a peculiar ceremony which occurred at the nest of the Honey Buzzard every evening, viz:-
A ceremony in which the cock took no part. After the last feed given by the hen bird, she would appear again about the nest and start tear- ing off a sprig of fresh green leaves which she brought to the nest and pre- sented to the baby. Mother and child played happily with it and ran the
The Hong Kong Naturalist.
ཟུ
Plate 15.
Nest of White-bellied Sea Eagle, Haliaetus leucogaster.
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