56 HOURS WITH NATURE. 



themselves in one of them, while Snake-birds are play- 

 ing hide and seek in another. Further inland, and 

 dimly visible against the horizon is a long and unbroken 

 line of trees and shrubs overhanging what look like low 

 rugged banks of some river. No doubt they are the 

 indisputable evidences of the changeableness of the 

 river, of which the channel flowed past them not so 

 very long ago. 



The aspect of nature becomes quieter, and the shadows 

 begin to lengthen : there is no sound, not even that of a 

 leaf falling or grass rustling. Suddenly a flock of birds 

 flies past overhead us with a loud but transitory whirr ; 

 another follows, and yet another. They congregate at the 

 bluffs, and we recognise them to be our friends the gang- 

 saliks. The peaceful solitude of the river-side is now 

 transformed into a scene of much excitement and unrest, 

 caused by the chirping, jostling, and fighting of vast 

 flocks of birds, their number augmenting every minute 

 by the arrival of fresh contingents. There is a lull in 

 the confusion and we hear the weak, subdued scream- 

 ing of innumerable chickens. I wonder how each bird 

 finds it own hole ! Merciful heavens !! What is that 

 owl sitting there for, on that broken bough of the bael 

 tree ? An ind&cribable sensation of chill creeps over my 

 body at the sight of its magnificent pair of furious eyes. 

 That night my sleep was much disturbed. I dreamed 

 of the owl, and of its awe-inspiring eyes ; of its bloody 

 work among the birds, and of their shrieks of agony. 



