in Zululand, ivith Notes on its Birds. 407 



We have met with it in consideiuble flocks in spots where 

 the grass grows rank ; when disturbed they rise with a harsh 

 screeching, and alight some yards further ofl'. Their long 

 legs enable them to capture their prey amongst the reeds and 

 tall grass which they frequent. Strix flammea, the common 

 White Owl of South Africa_, has a peculiar " hoot '' of its 

 own, very different from the screech of the home species. 



The Trogon narina is abundant in the Ungoye^and its gaudy 

 plumage reminded us of tropical America, where so many 

 Trogons are found. The favourite hauut of the Trogon is 

 the darkest parts of the forest, where it safely flits from bough 

 to bough. In the nesting-season it keeps up almost inces- 

 santly a loud, monotonous, and mournful note during the 

 mid-day hours. Often when one is Avalkiug quietly in the 

 bush, this bird will alight on a branch close by, where, sitting; 

 motionless, it displays its gorgeous plumage, until, catching 

 sight of you, it disappears like a flash amidst the thick 

 foliage. We have more than once come across their nests : 

 they lay three or four white eggs, about the size and 

 appearance of a pigeon's, in the hole of a tree. The young 

 birds when they first get their feathers are strange mottled 

 little things, not at all pretty ; they are very delicate, and it 

 seems almost impossible to raise them from the nest. AVe 

 have often seen these birds catching butterflies on the wing 

 like Flycatchers, and have found beetles and caterpillars iu 

 their stomachs. The featheis adhere loosely to the skin, 

 and it requires great care to make a good specimen for the 

 cabinet. 



Having heard that there was little chance of our being 

 able to keep horses long in the low country on account of 

 the horse-sickness so prevalent there, we cut a good hard- 

 wood desselboom, or pole, to take the place of the shafts and 

 bought four large oxen for our cart. Having secured a 

 driver and forelooper (leader), we left the Ungoye and 

 trekked back along the main road until we came to the point 

 where it is joined by the road which leads up country to 

 Eschowe. 



To shorten oui" journey wc took a by-road, but found it 



