582 Mr. A. B. Percival on Birds 
my diary^ I find a most monotonous reference to fever. Much 
of my best work was spoiled because of this terrible plague of 
African life, and many a day^s hunting was cut short by 
a sudden rise in my temperature. In England one talks of 
the weather^ in Africa a man asks after your temperature. 
*^*^The journey to Chiromo up the Zambesi and Shire 
Rivers is one full of interest to the naturalist. Bird-life 
abounds, hippopotami are constantly seen^ and crocodiles 
are far too numerous to be agreeable. I had one very 
unpleasant experience, and that not quickly forgotten. One 
of the crew made a slip and went overboard, and though 
every effort was made to save him, lie was quickly dragged 
under water and disposed of by these hungry brutes. 
" During September 1898 I went up to the next station 
on the Shire (Katunga^s) in a steam-launch. The number 
of birds seen was marvellous, the trees overhanging the river 
being often entirely covered with Egrets or Ibises^-in the 
first case looking quite white and in the latter black. But, 
for really startling beauty, nothing can come up to the 
Carmine-throated Bee-eaters. A hundred of these bright 
birds flitting along the river-banks in the sunshine is a sight 
never to be forgotten. We saw on this trip many water-birds 
— Ducks, Geese, Herons, and Waders. Among them was 
the pretty Spur-winged Plover, which warns the crocodiles 
and hippopotami of danger by its shrill Avhistle. 
^^ After my dealings with Kaffirs and Zulus, I found the 
natives of Central Africa very trying. Where one boy 
had previously served for all my wants, I here needed three. 
My usual household was composed of five, but on hunting- 
days it swelled to twelve or fourteen, the prospect of 
fresh meat never failing to bring them in. My camp was 
a very simple affair, consisting of a light canvas tent, with 
kitchen-tent for boys, and so I was able to move about 
without much trouble. 
'' Central Africa, in the Chiromo district, is well summed 
up by men who know it as 'a paradise for the naturalist and 
a hell for fevers/ '' 
Mr. Percival is now in the British East African Service 
