-^ By the Stream 



of swampy ground covered with sedye-weed. These reedy 

 marshes afforded resting-places during the day to both 

 Hons and rhinoceroses, but at night the bed of the stream 

 was ahve with thirsty animals of all kinds, as well as the 

 prey they were pursuing. 



Early in the morning large coveys of sand-grouse lead 

 the procession of thirsty animals from the arid velt. 

 These gorgeous birds are represented by three beautifully 

 coloured species {Pf crocks o-uttura/is, dccoratus, and 

 exustus). During the daytime they frequent the driest 

 parts of the Nyika. 



With the swiftness of an arrow the first kind fly to- 

 the water after sunrise, their coveys numbering about 

 thirty or more. With lively and far-reaching cries which 

 sound like gle-gle-gle-la-gak-gle-gle-gle-la-gak, the beautiful 

 birds fly quickly past. Iheir mcumer ot tlying resembles 

 that of the woodcock. 



Ouickly and suddenly they descend to the water. 

 With the large flights of these sand-grouse single speci- 

 mens of the Ptcroclcs exustus often come too. These 

 latter have lancet-shaped tail-feathers, and are smaller 

 altogether. The Pt. guttui-alis reach the groimd before 

 arrivino- at the water, and then run to it. The smallest 

 kind, the Pt. dccoi-atus. on the contrary, mostly swoop 

 straight down on to the water. They satisfy their thirst 

 in a quick and hurried manner, and soon rise in the air 

 to regain their resting-places. Sand-grouse are not really 

 trustful birds, and at the approach of man they rise with 

 a clatter of" wings and fly away. 



Every morning this same glorious spectacle takes place 



123 



