-* By the Xjiri Lakes 



it was hard for the native,- hunter to bag much game. But 

 with startling rapidity all this ephemeral vegetation withered. 

 The waters dried up, the. green faded away, and once again 

 the animals went back to the oases which they make 

 their winter quarters during the long periods of drought. 

 The swamp-frequenting birds found a feast spread out for 

 them, however, upon the Xjiri Lakes, now slowly subsiding 



and leaving behind them a wealth of Moating and seed- 

 bearing plants. 



Immense Mocks of ^eese and ducks covered the surface 



o 



of the lakes. On the banks were clustered thousands of 

 gnus and zebras ; and, come hither from the furthest 

 limits of the velt, rhinoceroses found their way into 

 their accustomed drinking-places among the reeds ; while 



_> 1 i* 



waterbuck, hartebeests, gazelles, and a few buffaloes had 



