226 AFRICAN ADVENTURE STORIES 



and fighting with one another for the choice 

 bits. 



"I arranged my field-glasses, water-bottle, 

 and camera case in a crevice behind me and 

 leaned my rifle against the rocks by my side. 



"For some time I amused myself by watching 

 the comical and awkward actions of the birds. 

 Eagles, vultures, and storks came from every 

 direction and circled about a few minutes, then 

 gracefully lighted on the ground near the car- 

 cass, where they stood eyeing the blind sus- 

 piciously. 



"Whenever a new arrival appeared an ag- 

 gressive bird would raise its wings over its back, 

 lower its head, and take several awkward hops 

 toward him. Occasionally fights took place, 

 but they were never serious and usually ended 

 by one of the birds taking wing and joining 

 another and more friendly group. 



"Becoming sleepy and knowing that as soon 

 as the birds had gathered in sufficient numbers 

 to suit my purpose their squabbles would 

 awaken me, I made a pillow of my rain-coat 

 and curled up in my cramped quarters for a 

 few minutes' snooze. 



"How long I slept is of little consequence. It 



