50 



ON SAFARI 



here constantly winging their way south w^ard — no doubt 

 from Lakes Baringo and Rudolph to those of Naivasha 

 and Nakuru. The curious " Kaffir-finch," or King 

 whydah-bird {Chera delamerei), with its ridiculously- 

 exaggerated tail, is also characteristic of this veld, as w^ell 

 as the Florican, or Wato bustard (Trachelotis ccmicollis), 

 numberless larks, pipits, doves and ravens. 



The distant horizon on this, as on most grassy dow^n- 

 lands, was frequently ornamented by the gaunt, upright 



KIXG WHYDAHS. 



Males entirely black except the baud of crimson and buft' on fore-wing. 



figures of ostriches feeding about, usually in pairs. On 

 one occasion we witnessed a struthian love-scene. So 

 far as one could distinguish at the distance, the cock 

 ostrich, running in circles in spasmodic, jerky style, with 

 neck dilated and extended in front, executed a sort of 

 wild dance. The beautiful white plumes of wings and 

 tail, expanded like a fan, showed up conspicuously 

 against his jet-black bod}^ The scene reminded one of 

 the performance of an old blackcock in x4pril, or (more 

 appropriate, though less accurately) of the great bustard 

 in Spain. The hen ostrich appeared to be busy feeding 

 all the time. 



I also remember seeing once a triangular fight betw^eeu 



