Expedition to the Zambesi River. 553 



smaller reed-growth, whose tender green blades are for ever 

 streaming like pennons upon the swift swirling current. And 

 in the neighbouring reed-beds and thick clumps of bushes 

 that surround snug pools of water all the bird-life seems to 

 congregate. Tiie babbling Cossypha heugl'rni pours out his 

 mellow notes from the thickest portion, but seldom lets his 

 presence be seen, and then from time to time the handsome 

 large Yellow Weaver {Xanthophilus xanthops) flashes past to 

 complete the nest which hangs from some slender bough, and 

 disappears up the narrow network tunnel of the half-finished 

 home. At the noise of a breaking twig, the warning notes 

 followed by the repeated clear-drawn whistles of the Black- 

 and-white Bush- Shrike {Laniarius mosambicus) will cause a 

 pair of Bulbuls {Pycnonoius layardi) to set up their noisy cries, 

 and these are soon backed up by the clapping wings of 

 Pigeons. As evening comes on, many Doves come down to the 

 pools for their last drink, and among them may be noticed 

 the elegant little Long- tailed Dove {(Ena capensis). Then 

 among the fish-cane are hosts of Weavers making great 

 chatteringSj while more cautious still is the Waterhen {Lim- 

 nocorax niger), whose dark body catches the eye as the bird 

 threads its way through the grass before venturing out into 

 the open to tread the soft carpet of weed on the water. And 

 from time to time little " strings " of Estreldas hasten to 

 their roosting-places before night overtakes them. 



Crocodiles are numerous in the river, and during the year 

 quite a number of natives, especially women, become their 

 prey. When we were at Zumbo, a woman with a child on 

 her back was taken while she was washing at the river. All 

 that night our sleep was disturbed by feminine wailing, 

 but the next morning other women, perfectly callous, were 

 bathing at the same place, and not taking the slightest pre- 

 cautions against seizure by the crocodiles. An old crocodile 

 which has once eaten human flesh becomes very bold and 

 cunning. In the dry season the river in places leaves bare 

 stretches of sand, and very often the women have a con- 

 siderable distance to traverse from the village before they 

 reach the water^s edge to fetch water and do their washing. 



