138 ON SAFARI 



ibises, greenslianks, and plovers — specially noticeable 

 being the spur- winged species {Hoijlopterus speciosus) 

 in its handsome contrasted colours that recall our grey 

 plover (>S'. helvetica) in its summer dress. At the point 

 of a rush-clad spit stood a Goliath heron, stiffly erect and 

 with the silvery neck-plumes finely offset by the dark 

 maroon breast. On another occasion at this spot we 

 recognised a pair of the great African jabiru or saddle- 

 bill. Far out on the lake sat pelicans, flamingoes and 

 grebes. 



The hippos, however, though they floated, and 

 splashed hard by, raising vast heads to yawn and 



HIPPOS IN LAKE ELMENTEITA. 



exposing great curving ivories, carefully kept beyond 

 range. So intensely interesting was the sight that we 

 lingered on till past dusk ere taking our campward way. 



The moon being some days past the full, the dark- 

 ness beneath the forest-trees that fring-ed the lake was 

 intense — indeed I could barely keep in touch with my 

 Swahili gunbearer, Mabruki, tliough only a yard ahead. 



While feeling our way thus through forest, the 

 stillness of night was suddenly shocked by a loud shrill 

 snort on our immediate front and apparently not 

 fifteen yards ahead. Then, contrary to all orders, 

 Mabruki insanely fired my big '450 into that enveloping 

 pall of darkness. No human eye — not even a savage 

 eye — could conceivably have seen anj'thing to aim at. 

 Mabruki had lost his head. 



