3*6



Mrs. Charrington,



masses of several thousands, and rose laziljr, flying a few hundred

yards as the steamer came up with them; Sandpipers and

Curlews also abounded.


At Goz-abu-Guma the shallow water near the banks was

studded with large white water lilies, on and about which were

Coot-like birds with very long toes: Jacanas. A Darter was

added to the specimens on board, a curious Cormorant-like bird

that swims under water with only its head and neck out:

towards evening they gather in groups on the Ambatch bushes,

and stand immovable with wings outstretched as if to dry them

in the air. Beyond Renk, 280 miles south, the banks are fringed

with reeds and bushes which are hung thickly with Weaver-

birds’ nests. A very brilliant Vermillion and black Shrike was

shot here (<?).


About here we saw the most beautiful birds I think it

possible to imagine, called by Soudan residents the Ruby-

throated Bee-eater (f). I cannot find it mentioned in any bird

book. It is almost impossible to describe: a flash of pure

rose colour, bronze, dull red, and turquoise blue, changing and

shimmering with every movement, hovering over the reeds like

a dragon-fly, and every now and then settling for an instant on

a head of feathery papyrus. A Green Bee-eater is also plentiful

along the river, feeding on the insects that swarm towards

evening : one sees them in numbers where grass has been

recently burnt. The colour fades very quickly after death.


On January 21st we reached Tewfikieh, one of Sir Samuel

Baker’s old stations, and walking along the shore I found Cordon

Bleus nesting in a yellow flowered mimosa. Spice-birds and a

glossy black bird, four or five together, like small Magpies, with

long waving tail feathers {£).


Major Harrison shot a large Pigeon, the size of a Wood

Pigeon. Breast steel grey, back warm vinous fawn, wings fawn,

shot with plum or iridescent green, flight feathers edged white,

distinct hackles fawn and grey, head grey, with fleshy eye ceres

bright red, an inch long and half an inch wide ; eye yellow (//).



(e). Laniarius erythrogaster,

(/). Merops nubicas.



ig). Drongo Shrikes.


(k). The Guinea Dove, Columba guinea.



