* Stalking Expeditions in the Xyika 



ong time. 



The bird-world has been awake for a 

 In the thicket of an acacia grove; my ear catches the 

 well-known measured cadence of a gorgeously coloured 

 shrike (" wurger"), very clever at keeping itself hidden in 

 the branches. Over and over again the bird repeats its 

 ringing cadence ; it has four notes, which increase evenly in 

 volume, " Kutu tititi ! " Reel-beaked hornbills {LopJioceros 



THE KAISKR WII.HKLM PEAK 



erythrorhynchus] fly from tree to tree at a safe distance 

 in front of us, watching with curiosity the strange new- 

 comers. A harrier (Circus ranivorus} glides over the 

 bog ; wondrous-hued rollers sweep screaming here and 

 there. A bustard (Eupodotis gindiana] rises, with its- 

 curious vacillating, skilful flight, and disappears in the 

 direction of the velt with a loud " raga-garaka-raga- 

 garaka!" This bustard can perform the oddest feats of 



565 



