QUEER SOUNDS. 63 



grating, harsh voice much more resembles that 

 of a hyena than a bird ; and about the same time 

 the Squacco heron (Ardeola leucopterct) finds out 

 that he is not dumb, and gives evidence of his. 

 discovery by making a succession of dismal, weird- 

 like groans worthy of a " banshee." The white 

 stork (Ardea ciconia) also finds a voice, which is. 

 not unmusical, but very plaintive, particularly when 

 it is borne to the listener's ears from a far distance 

 aloft in the heavens. 



But, close at hand, from among the sedge and 

 weeds, come to natives of Our Land the voices of 

 tjiree familiar friends, doubly dear when heard so 

 far from home. These songsters are the willow, 

 sedge, and melodious warblers. African travel has. 

 not damped their ardour, or its climate lessened 

 the melody of their notes. 



There are also gulps and croaks, and a variety 

 of other sounds, proceeding from frogs, lizards, etc., 

 and such like ; but I have no time to trouble over 

 them, for on swift pinions a flight of teal pass by, 

 make one circle round, and in a moment after drop 

 into the water with a distinct splash. This family 

 party is not over thirty yards off, and almost as 



