Soldiering and Sport in Uganda 



however, that I rarely, if ever, noticed a native 

 whistling. On another occasion, when I was 

 stalking a cobus buck, a bird followed me from tree 

 to tree, singing out "Leave it! leave it!" in a sort 

 of frenzied chirrup. These birds were of every 

 known colour, their plumage radiant with tropical 

 brilliancy, and I only wish I could describe ac- 

 curately some of the many I saw. 



So much for the birds ; but what attracted me 

 even more were the flowers. They, also, were of 

 every hue, and of endless variations and shapes. 

 Their names were unknown to me, unfortunately, but 

 all the common English flowers had their represent- 

 atives, besides which there were countless native 

 species. I noticed the sweet pea, convolvulus, 

 lobelia, and primrose. The native specimens were 

 mostly from mauve to purple in colour. The field 

 which I now selected for pitching my tent was 

 literally covered with a flower composed of six 

 minute purple and white bells, out of each of which 

 appeared three green stamens with minute yellow 

 anthers on their tips. The tout ensemble made a 

 striking and pleasing array. 



To all of these attractions I must add the 

 butterflies. It would, indeed, be futile for me to 

 give even the slightest description of these short- 

 Jived though gorgeous insects, the colours of whose 

 delicate wings rival those to be seen in the paintings 

 of the old masters. I can only add that I sent 

 home at once for appliances to start a collection. 

 The common species in these parts was a pure 



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