220 



ON SAFARI 



rocky ravine near " Lone-Tree." At tliis date, of course, 

 none of these birds were actually nesting. 



Our pachydermatous friend beat us (though his 

 stronghold was but 250 yards long) by never showing 

 above water save beneath the dense fringe of over- 

 hanging jungle that projected far beyond either bank. 

 Nor are crocodiles easy to detect, so little do they 

 expose above water, and so absolutely does their 

 slimy armour assimilate in hue with the slimy rocks 



HAMMER-HEAD [Sro/iKS umhrcttd). 

 A monotone in browns, without a touch of contrast or relief. 



on which they lie. One that we surprised asleep, 

 though fully 12 ft. long, disappeared without leaving 

 a ripple behind, so gently did he slide off his ledge. 

 Another croc, on receiving a bullet, disgorged dozens 

 of small silvery fish. 



Watching silently by these eerie ^^ools, we noticed 

 huge water-turtles emerge from sullen depths and with 

 ungainl}?- wriggle seek to gain the bank. There were 

 also great land-tortoises ; two that we brought home 

 measure 24 ins. over the carapace, by IQh ins. along the 

 fiat belly-plate. 



