WEAVER BIRDS 



which lay Nyeri, where I intended to camp for the 

 night. Once more we had an example of the deceptive 

 qualities of the East African atmosphere. That hill 

 appeared quite close, yet we had a long and weary 

 tramp to it. 



During this trek we passed a number of trees laden 

 — it is the only word one can use — with weaver bird 

 nests. On some there must have been two hundred, 

 and unless I had heard them I should never have 

 believed such small birds could make so much noise. 

 To see these yellow birds in the brilliant sunshine, 

 which at times made them look like real gold, was a 

 most fascinating sight. 



I think we were all really glad to reach Nyeri, as 

 it had been very trying for the porters with wet loads 

 and a slippery track underfoot. Nyeri is a charming 

 little spot. Perhaps the dreariness of the journey over 

 the mountains made it more appreciable than it would 

 have been otherwise, but there is no gainsaying its 

 charm. The views round it are wonderful. Kenia, 

 rising out of the mists nearly 20,000 feet above sea 

 level, with its nightcap of snow, is majestic and beautiful. 

 The District Commissioner's house is surrounded by 

 the greenest of trees, and Nyeri has the best of 

 kept lawns. The few other European houses are 

 uncommonly enticing ; even the jail looks attractive. 

 It is an amazing contrast to the pictures one sees of 

 the " dorps " of South Africa. No wonder the British 



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