NOTES ON SOME BIRDS OF RUWENZORI
Authors: Weekes By J. T. 
Published: April 2008

Notes

Ruwenzorornis johnstoni (Sharpe). Common and conspicuous on Ruwenzori. A specimen was obtained in scrub at 7000 ft. (it is believed that this is the lowest altitude at which it has been recorded), and it was met with regularly up to 12,000 ft. Its call note is a melodious chuckle which, when alarmed, develops into a series of chirps uttered as it dives away down the mountain. A female with ovaries enlarged was shot on 29 December 1946.

Pogonocichla stellata ruwenzorii (O.‐Grant). First observed in thick bamboo at 8000 ft. and moderately common up to the tree‐heath zone at 13,000 ft. A cup‐shaped nest found on 29 December at 13,500 ft. was made entirely of root‐fibre lined with finer material and was poorly concealed 2 ft. up in a thicket of young tree‐heaths. The eggs were two, cream, freckled all over with reddish brown. Size 22 × 16 mm. Well incubated.

Seicercus umbrovirens alpinus (O.‐Grant). Observed commonly from 11,000 to 13,000 ft. Its song, not unlike that of the Willow‐warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, was heard from the tops of the 40‐foot tree‐heaths. The nest, containing three fledglings. was found on 29 December at 12,000 ft., and was revealed by the alarm note of the parent birds–a harsh chirp. It was well concealed in a large mass of moss about 3 ft. up and was made of moss lined with white wool from everlasting flowers (Helichrysum). It was large for the size of the bird, oval, and with, the hole in the side.

Cinnyris reichenowi sturhlmanni Reichw. Abounds on the edge of the bamboo zone from 10,000 to 11,000 ft. Both sexes are seen in equal numbers. The song is short and slightly harsh and the alarm note is a loud chirp frequently uttered. Many nests containing young were found fixed to the ends‐of the branches of tree‐heaths from four to twenty feet up and situated inside the moss pendant on every branch The nest is oval and made of similar moss and, therefore, camouflaged. It can only be detected by the oval entrance in the side. The normal clutch is one. The egg is. dark olive, freckled with darker so thickly as almost to appear uniform. Size 19 × 13 mm. Both birds incubate. One nest contained two young, and in this instance there were two female birds and. one male demonstrating. There was no other nesting site within at least 30 yds., and it is likely that this male was polygamous.

Nectarinia johnstoni dartmouti (O.‐Grant). Seen only at about 13,500 ft. in. large numbers among young tree‐heaths about 5 ft. high and giant lobelia. Four females only were seen, so it is probable that the remainder were incubating. The song is a teasing “burr”. Eight porters, with the offer of a large reward, searched for a nest for three‐quarters of an hour, during which time only two abandoned nests and one nest with young were found. The heath m‐as thin and there was little other cover. Two giant lobelias were taken to pieces, but no nest was disclosed. The nest with 5:oung referred to above was oval, situated in a small heath about 2 ft. from the ground, md firmly woven to it but unconcealed, and made entirely from white wool from ever‐ lasting flowers. It contained one young bird newly hatched, but there was no sign of shell. The nuptial display consists of a male soaring 20 ft. or so in the air and, with elongated tail feathers outstretched, diving to a perch, uttering the wheezing song.