418 Messi^s. R. B. & J. D, S. Woodward's Journeys 



below. Thankful we Avere vvlien we got into the proper 

 track again and sighted the grand mountain Edukumbaan, 

 near which we proposed to encamp. Next morning we 

 found ourselves on the top of a ridge on the lee-side of a 

 wood, where we obtained beautiful views of the deep valleys, 

 many of them thickly clothed with timber. This district is 

 called the " Hlwati," and is within the Hlabisa magistracy. 

 Although we stopped here i'or some time we saw very few 

 birds ; but the abundance of flowers attracted a large number 

 of butterflies, of which we obtained a nice collection. 



As the season was now well advanced and sufficiently 

 healthy, we decided to go down into the low country, and 

 consulted with a neighbouring storekeeper as to the best 

 way of getting down. He told us that we should save a great 

 round if we came past his store, situated on Makawe Hill, 

 about seven miles off", and that as the road was bad he would 

 lend us his oxen to help us. Accordingly we started, going 

 up and downhill in some places with such steep sidlings that 

 we had to support the vehicle with rheims. Makawe Hill 

 commands an extensive view of St. Lucia Lake and the 

 surrounding country. We stayed here a few days, but were 

 troubled most of the time by disagreeably cold north winds, 

 from which there was little or no shelter to be had. 



At last the first week- in June we descended to the flats 

 and outspanned under a spreading mimosa-tree. We saw 

 large flocks of Guinea-fowl, and shot a few, but without 

 a pointer they are hard to get. The eggs are sometimes 

 taken and hatched under a hen : we saw some well-grown 

 birds at a kraal raised in this way. " Paauw " are common 

 here on the open grass, as we have seen as many as 18 in a 

 day. The Great Bustard, or ^^ Paauw" {Otis kori), can run 

 with great speed, making use of its wings, like the Ostrich, 

 but, unlike the latter, can also fly well. Although the 

 Paauw has been often tamed, we have never heard of its 

 breeding in confinement ; but as it becomes so tame there 

 does not seem any reason why it should not, and it would 

 then be a valuable addition to the poultry-yard. When 

 living on the south coast we reared one of these birds and 



