224 



but the oats and sunflower. I never saw them touch 

 soft food, but they ate a good deal of green food 

 (French lettuce and grass in flower) while feeding the 

 young. 



A pair of these birds should be in every mixed 

 collection ; they are certainly one of the smallest., 

 prettiest as to colour, and most elegant of their tribe ; 

 and as stated at the commencement practically live on 

 the food the other birds scatter about. 



35irD^Xife on an Hfricau TRiven 



By Dr. E. Hopkinson, D.S.O. 



{Reprinted hy permission from The Rmpirec Review). 



A west coast river. Miles and miles of dull- 

 green mangroves stretch up and down on either side 

 as far as the eye can reach, the thick mud-stained 

 water slides past without a sound, and the midday 

 sun flaming overhead blisters the paint and scorches the 

 woodwork of the old white schooner lying at anchor in 

 mid-stream, turning her littered deck into a frizzling: 

 inferno. But in spite of this about her deck lie black 

 forms, those of her crew, sleeping in various attitudes 

 and the scantiest of clothing — some in the full glare, 

 which to them is apparently only grateful and comfor- 

 ting, others in the narrow belt of shade thrown by 

 the motionless foresail. Aft on the roof of the miser- 

 able box, dignified by the name of *' cabin," lie two 

 more sleepers, the captain and his mate, black like 

 their crew, but perhaps a trifle more dressy in their 

 attire, or rather less undressed. Inside that cabin (a 

 Hobson's choice for him between the stewy heat there 



