SPORT IN MOZAMBIQUE 



On the whole, however, our installation here affords 

 many real advantages. I can go to Massikess6 and 

 back without being cut off by a flood, which I had to 

 fear at Muza j while I am well situated for exploring 

 a new region and pushing towards the British frontier. 

 We have several kind neighbours, among them being 

 a Frenchman named Poulin. A hunter by profession, 

 he has been guide to numerous sportsmen, and has 

 himself killed a lot of game. His cottage is near mine, 

 so he often takes the opportunity of coming in for a 

 cup of tea in the evenings, when we talk of mining, 

 hunting, and shooting. We are also visited by some 

 very pleasant English people. 



Poulin has entrusted me with a dog which has 

 just littered. I have undertaken to look after the 

 mother and the pups, of which I must keep two for 

 myself. The mother is unfortunately badly made, 

 but has a good nose, and with her aid I have killed 

 many partridges, quails, and rails. The quail belongs 

 to the species Coturnix delegorguei, discovered by the 

 traveller of that name on the banks of the Limpopo 

 in 1843. In this small species the male is distinguished 

 from the female by a black mark on the neck and a 

 spot of the same colour on the white abdomen. This 

 quail utters a soft drumming cry. I need not describe 

 the habits of these birds, which are the same as those 

 of their European relatives. The rails which I have 

 killed are of two species ; one rufous, like a corn- 

 crake, and cunning before the dogs in the same manner ; 



(22) 



