112 REPORT OF MR. W. JESSE. [Feb. 11, 
to lay before you a sketch of my proceedings during my recent 
journey with the late expedition in Abyssinia. 
I should first like to state that, my late arrival on the scene of 
action having prevented me from accomplishing anything like the 
work I wished to carry out, I eagerly seized upon an opportunity 
which presented itself, after the close of the campaign, of supplying 
the deficiencies thus occasioned. 
I heard from Mr. W. T. Blanford, Geographer to the Expedition, 
that he, Capt. Mokeler (political officer), and Mr. Munzinger 
(1.B.M. Consul at Massowah) contemplated an excursion into the 
Bogos country ; and I therefore wrote to the Consul begging his per- 
mission to make one of the party. This permission I subsequently 
received, and under these auspices found means to fulfil my mission 
more completely than I had anticipated. 
On the 27th of January, 1868, I left England, and on the 24th 
of February we cast anchor in Annesley Bay. My arrangements on 
shore not being completed, I obtained a boat and crew from the 
Captain and started with a party to the head of the bay. I spent a 
couple of days here, examining the surrounding country and shooting. 
I procured specimens of the Naked-necked Francolin of the plains, 
one species of Hornbill, and a variety of other birds, the most im- 
portant of which were eight specimens of the Dromas ardeola. These 
latter I especially wished to bring home, both as skeletons and in 
spirits. Unfortunately I could not carry out this intention, as, instead 
of returning safely in about two hours’ trip to the ‘ Great Victoria,’ 
we were nearly wrecked on the opposite shore; and the energies of 
our crew and selves were so severely tried by wind and rain that we 
with difficulty, and utterly exhausted, reached the fleet at the end 
of twenty-four hours. My specimens being spoiled, this was rather 
a discouraging commencement of my duties. I may here remark 
that I did not again obtain specimens of this bird until on my voyage 
home, at Suakim. 
On the 27th I landed at Zoulla, and reported myself to General 
Stuart, there awaiting orders from the Commander-in-Chief. Ina 
few days I received an intimation from his Excellency that I should 
find ample scope for my researches in the neighbourhood of Zoulla ; 
it was, however, at that time impossible to prosecute them with any 
result, on account of the country being utterly devastated of wood 
and grass, offering but small opportunities for the zoologist. I ob- 
tained a few specimens, when an attack of sickness put an end to my 
endeavours, and compelled me to go on board the hospital ship, 
After some days I returned ashore ; but in the course of a few hours 
I had a relapse, which induced me to leave the plain and move up 
towards the highlands. I was also disappointed in not meeting at 
Zoulla with the taxidermists Lieut. R. C. Beavan had given me 
reason to expect would be there; but before quitting the place I 
was fortunate enough to find a man who eventually proved of use to 
me in this department. 
The country lying between the sea and the foot of the hills at 
Koomayli was of the most barren description—to the seaward sandy, 
