Chap. XXI. BIRDS AND THEIR SPORTS. 425 



they make the most of an opportunity. "We are little 

 infants ; we are still clinging to the bosoms of our mothers ; 

 we cannot walk alone ; we know nothing at all ; but on this 

 little subject we know that the elder gentlemen talk like all 

 those who speak about that of which they know nothing. We 

 never heard such nonsense," and so forth ; or two men of the 

 same age may be the disputants. He who is most glib of 

 tongue covers his opponent with confusion ; that, however, 

 does not end the argument. Why should it ? The sensation 

 of choking in his throat, the pressure of blood on his heart, 

 make the vanquished, when unable to argue still, gasp out 

 " Can you outrun me then ? " and off they start, run a mile, 

 bring a branch of a tree at the end of the usual race-course, 

 and, the mental and bodily excitement by this means equal- 

 ized, they settle down in peace. If our editors, after allowing 

 the paper war to rage till both the " esteemed correspond- 

 ents " are ready to go into fits from the blood being lashed 

 into fury round the heart and brain, instead of the usual 

 atrocious way (!) of proposing the next letters to be paid for 

 as advertisements, would only advise that they should " run 

 a race," far fewer cases of heart disease and apoplexy would 

 be traceable to the " sanctum " door. 



Birds are numerous on the Shupanga estate. Some kinds 

 remain all the year round, while many others are there only 

 for a few months. Flocks of green pigeons come in April 

 to feed on the young fruit of the wild fig-trees, which is 

 also eaten by a large species of bat in the evenings. The 

 pretty little black weaver, with yellow shoulders, appears to 

 enjoy life intensely after assuming his wooing dress. A 

 hearty breakfast is eaten in the morning, and then come 

 the hours for making merry. A select party of three or 

 four perch on the bushes which skirt a small grassy plain, 

 and cheer themselves with the music of their own quiet 



