Chap. XIY, PIGEONS— FISH. 2G1 



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

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

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

 sive 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 

 peculiar note, similar to that we read of as having once been 

 emitted by Memnon, and likened to the tuning of a lyre. The 

 boatmen answered it by calling " Nama, 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 pro- 

 ceeding 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. 



Yast 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 

 rapidity of the cm-rent 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 community becomes disturbed and wanders. 



The mosala (Clarias Capensis and Glanis siluris), the mullet 

 {JSIugil 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 

 adjacent banks. 



We passed great numbers of hippopotami. They are very 



