JOURNEY FROM ASHAKA TO MAIFONI 223 



graceful white forms, as they waited patiently for the return 

 of their mates, who travelled far to forage for the upkeep of 



A BORNU SHEEP 



their homes. Presently on the eastern horizon where the 

 Gongola flows, a speck would appear growing larger and 

 larger until one could discern the slow flapping wings ; then 

 soon sounded the swish of a great bird passing overhead, 

 with long neck and legs outstretched to sail smoothly into 

 the island haven in the blue, there to let down his feet 

 like anchors and furl his wings. Then the stillness of the 

 tree tops was cut by the scissor-like opening and shutting 

 of the mother bird's bill, which received the delicious 

 mouthful of the far-carried frog with a long rattling sound 

 of gratefulness. 



By noon on the next day we got as far as Bejoga, a village 



