With Flashlight and Rifle ^ 



the hoarse cry of the rarer Hildebrandt's francolin 

 [Framo/in/is hiidebi'audti). 



Loud and clear, by contrast, sounds the call of the 

 common large golden francolin i^Ptcniistcs Icncosccpus 

 iufuscatiis) from the velt. 



Over the neio^hbouring; chain of undulatino^ hills, from 

 which many beaten passes lead to the watering-places, 

 come groups of zebras, under the leadership of an ex- 

 perienced old stallion. They have stopped grazing, and 

 approach the drinking-place warib', seeking out a spot 

 on the stream which is sheltered trom the wind, and 

 then slowly and carefulb' assuring themselves by nose 

 and eyes that no enemy lies hidden. The leaders give 

 a quick look round, then their burning thirst overcomes 

 their fears, and with long gulj)s they begin to drink. 

 Feeling themselves safe, the last members ot the herd 

 come u}), and the bed of the stream is crowded with about 

 a hundred of these grand creatures — an incomparaljle scene. 



Sometimes in their company, sometimes a little later 

 in separate- herds, come the white-bearded gULis {^ConuocJKctcs 

 albojiibalus). These also come across long tracts Ironi 

 the velt. Now and again small companies of Thomson's 

 gazelle {^Gazc/hi //loii/soiii) show themselves. The sun 

 sinks further and further to rest. 



1die last ra\ s of the sun setting on a misty horizon 

 light u]) th(! charming and striking scene that I have so 

 often gazed upon. .Some ot' the zebras begin to |)aw the 

 water with their front hoofs ; another pressing up too 

 near a gnu, the latter with a shake of its head pushes 

 it on one side, but without hurling. 



128 



