2l6 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



and falcons of numerous species were in close at- 

 tendance upon the flocks, frequently making swoops 

 from some place of vantage, which in nearly every 

 instance seemed to be rewarded with a captive. 



There is nothing that I could imagine on earth 

 that would afford more pleasure to the sportsman, and 

 naturalist than a sail upon the waters of one of these 

 distant rivers, in a good roomy boat, provided always 

 that the visitor was in the enjoyment of good health ; 

 in fact, this sail was a kaleidoscope of charms, in 

 which each scene was more enchanting than its 

 predecessor. 



After having loaded my raft with the crocodile's 

 eggs, once more we got afloat. The sun, which 

 previously had possessed that hard uncompromising 

 glare, peculiar to that luminary's appearance in 

 Africa at mid-day, now lost much of its oppressive 

 effect, the general result that follows when it gets 

 well to the westward of the zenith. 



The gentlest of catspaws, here and there, flecked 

 the otherwise smooth surface of the water, giving a 

 freshness to the atmosphere, which heretofore had 

 been wanting, yet slight as this change was, it 

 appeared to awake much animal life from its previous 

 lethargy, and bring it forth from its retreats with 

 renewed energy and vigour. 



Martins, the fawn-breasted variety yCotyle fitli- 

 gula\ were in immense numbers, and from their 

 swift graceful flight, and the unremitting energy 



