-> Evening on the Marshes 



compact flocks I was now almost convinced that they 

 have signs imperceptible to human eyes and ears, by which 

 they communicate with each other and are enabled to 

 carry out like automata all the elaborate evolutions which 

 their leader in these flights shows them he thinks necessary. 

 Countless pigeons of various kinds now appear upon 

 the water, flitting to arid fro nervously and cautiously. 

 After drinking they also betake themselves to the swamp 

 for their night's rest. Then come great flocks of guinea- 



A LARGE FLOCK. OF GUINEA-FOWL PERCHED ON A TREE NEAR ME 



fowl. Settling on a tree close by, they are silhouetted 

 sharply against the violet-hued horizon. 



Yet another picture follows. A flock of tall crested 

 cranes (Balearica regulorum gibbericeps], standing out like 

 ghosts against the indescribably beautiful tints of the 

 equatorial sunset, draws near with slowly flapping wings 

 to seek secure sleeping-places on the small islands in the 

 swamp. Evening after evening these beautiful birds come 

 here at exactly the same minute. A creaking noise like 



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