96 



A Breath from the Veldt 



bird which had grown stiff was thrown on to the back or sides of an ox so 

 that the feet touched the animal's hide, the claws held fast at once, and could 

 not be easily withdrawn. It is most interesting to notice the way in which a 

 party of these birds will move about on the body of a horse or ox, searching 

 every part of his skin as they run or hop over it in the most lively fashion. At 

 the risk of being accused of telling a traveller's yarn, I must state the fact that 

 they can hop backwards quite as well as forwards, and they often make long 

 drops downwards from the shoulder to the fore-leg, or down the side of the 





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'1 ',■. // ' ■ 



animal whose coat they are engaged upon. It is quite immaterial to them how 

 or in what direction they move : they are continually on the hop, and seem 

 almost capable of hanging on by the proverbial eyelids. Amongst wild beasts 

 their attentions are chiefly devoted to the rhinoceros, the Cape buffalo, the 

 sable antelope, and the wart-hog ; whilst among the domestic animals, horses 

 and oxen are their favourite feeding-grounds. Your oxen are no sooner out- 

 spanned than a party of these interesting birds spy them out, and come and sit 

 on the neighbouring trees till the beasts have been watered and have settled 



