FAUNA OF WADELA PLATEAU. 85 



northern portion, from Santara till about six miles south 

 of Gaso, all the rocks exposed consist of trachyte and 

 trachytic ash, containing large blocks of black jet-like 

 obsidian, which some of the soldiers took for coal. They 

 soon fonnd out their mistake when they tried to burn it. 

 The scenery is very peculiar. Hummocks of grey rocks 

 covered with lichens stand up from amidst the fine wiry 

 grass already mentioned as occurring on the high passes 

 of Ferra and Wandaj, and alternate with small marshy 

 flats, the soil in which is an imperfect peat. The fauna 

 is mostly different from that of lower elevations. The 

 handsome white-breasted buzzard {Buteo augur), the 

 dwarf goose {Bernicla cyanoptera), and the caruncled 

 ibis (Harpiprion carunculata), are very abundant. A 

 duck found also at lower levels (Anas flavirostris) occurs 

 in the streams and marshes. Two peculiar chats (Saxicola 

 frenata, Heugl. and Pratincola sordida), the yellow- 

 throated pipit {Macronyx flavicollis), a species of finch 

 allied to the canary bird (Crithagra nigriceps), a wat- 

 tled lapwing {Lobivanellus melanocephahis), and, above 

 all, the red-legged chough {Pyrrhocorax alpinus), are 

 peculiar and characteristic forms. The Abyssinian 1am- 

 mergeyer and the thick-billed crow {Corvultur crassi- 

 rostris) were also frequently seen. Mammals were 

 scarce ; the only conspicuous one was the little Mus 

 ahyssinicus, which was most abundant on the higher 

 parts of the plateau. 



Several of these birds disappear below 10,000 feet on 

 the portion of the plateau near Yasendy^ and Bethor, 

 where the rocks exposed are chiefly basaltic, and, as is 



