With Flashlight and Rifle -* 



the hoarse cry of the rarer Hildebrandt's francolin 

 (Franco/inns kildebrandli}. 



Loud and clear, by contrast, sounds the call of the 

 common large golden francolin {Pternistes Ie2icosccpu$ 

 infuscatus] from the velt. 



Over the neighbouring chain of undulating hills, from 

 which many beaten passes lead to the watering-places, 

 come groups of zebras, under the leadership of an ex- 

 perienced old stallion. They have stopped grazing, and 

 approach the drinking-place warily, seeking out a spot 

 on the stream which is sheltered from the wind, and 

 then slowly and carefully assuring themselves by nose 

 and eyes that no enemy lies hidden. The leaders give 

 a quick look round, then their burning thirst overcomes 

 their fears, and with long gulps they begin to drink. 

 Feeling themselves safe, the last members of the herd 

 come up, and the bed. of the stream is crowded with about 

 a hundred of these grand creatures an incomparable scene. 



Sometimes in their company, sometimes a little later 

 in separate herds, come the white-bearded gnus {Connochfetes 

 albojiibatus}. These also come across long tracts from 

 the velt. Now and again small companies, of Thomson's 

 gazelle (jGazella thomsoni] show themselves. The sun 

 sinks further and further to rest. 



The last rays of the sun setting on a misty horizon 

 light up the charming and striking "scene that I have so 

 often gazed upon. Some of the zebras begin to paw the 

 water with their front hoofs ; another pressing up too 

 near a gnu, the latter with a shake of its head pushes 

 it on one side, but without hurting. 



128 



