422 Journeys in Zululand, with Notes on its Birds. 



stirring; on being disturbed it floats rather than flies to 

 another tree, uttering its loud shrill cry of " he he he-he-he." 

 It is omnivorous, and feeds largely upon caterpillars and 

 locusts as well as fruit. On account of the length of its 

 bill it has a curious way of feeding : it first takes the object 

 into its bill, and then, by jerking the head backwards, throws 

 it fairly into its throat. It visits the gardens in the winter 

 and eats a quantity of bananas and tomatoes. We constantly 

 saw parties of five or six of the Ground Hornbill {Bucorvus 

 abyssinicus) dotted over the bare hills outside the forest. It is 

 a ground-bird, very large and heavy, and instead of hopping, 

 like the Tree Hornbills, walks well, and when aroused takes 

 a short run and flies some distance before again alighting. 

 It is all black, except the white primaries, which are only 

 seen when it is flying. Its voice has a booming sound and 

 can be heard a long distance. It is often heard crying before 

 rain, from which the natives think it has the power of 

 bringing rain; they are very superstitious regarding this 

 bird, and believe that if one is killed near their kraals some 

 misfortune will be sure to happen. We once found a nest 

 of a pair of these birds ; it was built of sticks in a large tree 

 standing by itself. In it were two young ones, one of which 

 we reared and had for a long time tame. It had a voracious 

 appetite, which nothing seemed able to appease, and at last 

 we had to part with it, as it took to destroying poultry, 

 swallowing the young chickens whole ! This Hornbill is 

 very useful in destroying snakes ; fortunately it is one of the 

 few birds protected by law. We obtained from the same 

 nest a specimen of their eggs ; the shell is very strong, of 

 a dull white colour, and as large as that of a Goose. 



On the 4th September we resumed our cart and trekked 

 on to the Inlalaas, and from there over ugly country to the 

 Umbezan. Journeying on for seven hours over country 

 nearly level, we arrived at the Inyoni district, where there 

 is a good store. Three and a half hours brought us to the 

 Tugela, and with the help of extra oxen we crossed over into 

 the land of civilization again. 



[To be continued.] 



