A FOWL OF THE VELT {pTHROCLES GUTTUR.ILIS HATUKATIOR, Hart). 



XV 



Night Photography under Difficuhies 



THERE is a notion prevalent, due to superficial 

 observers, that there are certain drinking-places to 

 which the wild animals are bound to come to quench 

 their thirst, in all circumstances, during- the hot season. 

 Were this so the animals would have ceased ere now to exist. 

 The poisoned arrow of the native, or the rifle of the white 

 man, would long since have exterminated them. It is 

 the case, however, that you can count upon finding game 

 at specific drinking-places in the hot weather under certain 

 circumstances, though much depends upon the direction 

 of the wind and other things. The appearance of the 

 larger beasts of prey by the waterside is enough, for 

 instance, to make the others keep their distance for a 

 considerable time. 



When I have encamped in such localities it has generally 

 been with a view to securing specimens of rare birds, 



^11 



