94 VOYAGES OF A NATURALIST 



of quails, and every now and then one would rise 

 close to the hoofs of the mules. Small dark- 

 coloured larks Mirafra hova which were even 

 more abundant, rose in flocks from almost under 

 the wheels of the tram, and along the track 

 in front of us swarms of these little birds were 

 running. 



After a few miles forest took the place of pasture 

 land, and for a considerable distance the track 

 lay between rows of tall trees, the branches of which 

 almost met overhead. In this forest we saw a 

 flock of Guinea fowls* which, being surprised at a 

 bend in the track, took to flight close ahead of the 

 tram. At some distance from the camp the tram 

 lines came to an end, and the rest of the journey 

 had to be performed in a large two-wheeled waggon 

 drawn by mules, which brought us, after an hour's 

 hard pulling, to our destination. We were met 

 by the colonel commanding the camp, who con- 

 ducted us to the hotel where rooms had been 

 ordered. Camp d'Ambre is a convalescent station, 

 and all soldiers suffering from fever are sent there 

 to recuperate. The camp consists of barracks* 

 officers' quarters, and a small, but clean and well- 

 managed hotel. The surroundings are very 

 beautiful. In front the hill slopes abruptly, allow- 

 ing a distant view of Diego Suarez. On both sides 

 the country is covered with grass, while in the rear 

 lies the Foret d'Ambre a splendid virgin forest 



* Numida mitrata. 



