58.2 Mr. A. B. Percival 077 Birds 



my diaiy, I find a most monotonous reference to fever. Much 

 of my best work was spoiled because of this terrible plague of 

 African life, and many a day's hunting was cut short by 

 a sudden rise in my temperature. In England one talks of 

 the weather, in Africa a man asks after yonr temperature. 



"The journey to Chiromo up the Zambesi and Shire 

 Rivers is one full of interest to the naturalist. Bird-life 

 abounds, hippopotami are constantly seen, and crocodiles 

 are far too numerous to be agreeable. I had one very 

 unpleasant experience, and that not quickly forgotten. One 

 of the crew made a slip and went overboard, and though 

 every effort was made to save him^ he was quickly dragged 

 under water and disposed of by these hungry brutes. 



" During September 1898 I Avent up to the next station 

 on the Shire (Katunga's) in a steam-launch. The number 

 of birds seen was marvellous, the trees overhanging the river 

 being often entirely covered with Egrets or Ibises — in the 

 first case looking quite white and in the latter black. But, 

 for really startling beauty, nothing can come up to the 

 Carmine-throated Bee-eaters. A hundred of these bright 

 birds flitting along the river-banks in the sunshine is a sight 

 never to be forgotten. We saw on this trip many water-birds 

 — Ducks, Geese, Herons, and Waders. Among them was 

 the pretty Spur-winged Plover, which warns the crocodiles 

 and hippopotami of danger by its shrill whistle. 



"After my dealings with Kaffirs and Zulus, I found the 

 natives of Central Africa very trying. Where one boy 

 had previously served for all my wants, I here needed three. 

 My usual household was composed of five, but on hunting- 

 days it swelled to twelve or fourteen, the prospect of 

 fresh meat never failing to bring them in. My camp was 

 a very simple affair, consisting of a light canvas tent, with 

 kitchen-tent for boys, and so I was able to move about 

 without much trouble. 



'' Central Africa, in the Chiromo district, is well summed 

 up by men who know it as ' a paradise for the naturalist and 

 a hell for fevers/ " 



Mr. Percival is now in the British East African Service 



