SWARMING BIRD-LIFE 63 



borassus palms tower 60 and 70 feet above the 

 surrounding forest growths, dwarfing all else by 

 their majestic stature. Sandy islets covered with 

 grass and reeds are passed all day long, and floating 

 islands of marshy greenery borne down on the 

 current require careful watching lest they should 

 get under the bows of the steamer and decrease 

 her speed. Turning round a jutting sand-bank, 

 three or four large crocodiles are seen almost im- 

 perceptibly entering the water, which closes slowly 

 as we approach over the menacing, coffin-shaped 

 heads. Farther on the glasses reveal a vast con- 

 gregation of Zambezi fowl. Giant, grey herons 

 stand sentryhke watching the water, whilst 

 stalking sharply about in the shallows, with wide, 

 hurried stride, snowy white egrets shoot out their, 

 long, yellow beaks, with a snaky motion of the 

 neck, at the small fish and other tiny forms of 

 river life. In a miniature lagoon inside the sand- 

 spit where the river current causes no eddy, a few 

 spur-winged geese, bronzy green on back and wing 

 covers, with a dash of white at the base of the 

 neck, fraternise harmoniously with a dozen small 

 black pochard, and some barred umber and dark 

 brown whistling duck. Running about the edge, 

 probably envious of the natural accomplishments 

 of their acquaintances the ducks and geese, sand- 

 pipers, dunlins, spur-winged plover, curlew, and 

 many other shore birds in large numbers pursue 

 the swarming river fish, until the steamer's near 

 approach sends them with loud cries, and whistles, 

 and vociferous quacking and flapping to seek their 

 sustenance in less disturbed surroundings. 



