-♦ Stalking Expeditions in the Nyika 



Now we come upon two sand-grouse {Ptcrodes exitstiis) 

 which rise far from the water in front of us. but soon 

 plunge in again not far off with a splash. But where has 

 the long-sought pachyderm got to ? The sun's rays have 

 already begun to slope westward when suddenly, on a very 

 open space under a little acacia-tree, the rhino becomes 

 visible. It has settled down, accordino^ to its custom, with 



A WHITE-HEADED SEA-EAGLE 



its hinder parts close against the trunk, and its head forward. 

 Now for a test of nerves ! Accompanied only by my most 

 trustworthy followers I approach the beast as cautiously as 

 possible, and as it happens, for a wonder, not to be beset 

 by ox-peckers, I succeed in getting up to within sixty 

 paces. If at such moments one looks behind to give the 

 gun-carrier a whispered order of any sort, it is intensely 

 interesting to observe his staring, excited tace, which has 



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