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SAVAGE SUDAN 



with dense growths of papyrus and swamp-vegetation. 

 It was here, as already related, that we found droves of 

 hippopotami which, abjuring the river, lie up by day in 

 these tangled tunnels. Hence it may befall that, while 

 peering into viewless jungle for some humble Hypolais, 

 and a league from the river, the naturalist may find 

 himself within arm's-length of the monstrous bulk of a 

 sleeping hippopotamus. 



" EXPECTANT." 

 Pied Crows outside my cabin-port on /sis, Lake No, February loth, 1913. 



The winter climate of the Sudan has been pronounced 

 delightful ; yet without questioning the epithet, there are 

 two conditions -precedent which must be reserved and 

 understood. First, that the term "delightful climate" 

 may include that degree of fierce sun-heat which charac- 

 terises the tropics, but which those who have not been in 

 that zone can scarcely realise. True, the merciful North- 

 wind blows as a rule by day, and sometimes at night ; 

 and so long as that mercy is vouchsafed the intensity of 

 solar ferocity is tempered and mitigated. It is upon the 

 Permanence of that breeze that the second implied condition 

 centres. But no such permanence can be relied on : and 



