PIGEONS.— FISH. 283 



does not stand long upon them ; hence the crop of trees. Where 

 it remains for any length of time, trees can not live. On the 

 right bank, or that in which the Loeti flows, there is an extensive 

 flat country called Manga, which, though covered with grass, is 

 destitute in a great measure of trees. 



Flocks of green pigeons rose from the trees as we passed along 

 the banks, and the notes of many birds told that we were now 

 among strangers of the feathered tribe. The beautiful trogon, 

 with bright scarlet breast and black back, uttered a most pe- 

 culiar note, similar to that we read of as having once been emit- 

 ted by Memnon, and likened to the tuning of a lyre. The boat- 

 men answered it by calling "ISTama, nama!" — meat, meat — as if 

 they thought that a repetition of the note would be a good 

 omen for our success in hunting. Many more interesting birds 

 were met ; but I could make no collection, as I was proceeding 

 on the plan of having as little luggage as possible, so as not to 

 excite the cupidity of those through whose country we intended 

 to pass. 



Vast shoals of fish come down the Leeambye with the rising 

 waters, as we observed they also do in the Zouga. They are 

 probably induced to make this migration by the increased rapid- 

 ity of the current dislodging them from their old pasture-grounds 

 higher up the river. Insects constitute but a small portion of 

 the food of many fish. Fine vegetable matter, like slender mosses, 

 growing on the bottom, is devoured greedily ; and as the fishes 

 are dislodged from the main stream by the force of the current, 

 and find abundant pasture on the flooded plains, the whole com- 

 munity becomes disturbed and wanders. 



The mosala (Clarices Capensis and Giants siluris), the mullet 

 (Miigil Africanus), and other fishes, spread over the Barotse 

 valley in such numbers that when the waters retire all the people 

 are employed in cutting them up and drying them in the sun. 

 The supply exceeds the demand, and the land in numerous places 

 is said to emit a most offensive smell. Wherever you see the 

 Zambesi in the centre of the country, it is remarkable for the 

 abundance of animal life in and upon its waters, and on the adja- 

 cent banks. 



We passed great numbers of hippopotami. They are very nu- 



