182 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOURNALS. [Chap. VII.. 



nothing, and if this is enlargement of mind produced by 

 .commerce, commend me to the untrading African ! 



Fish now appear in the rivulets. Higher altitudes have 

 only small things, not worth catching. 



An owl makes the woods resound by night and early 

 morning with his cries, which consist of a loud, double- - 

 initial note, and then a succession of lower descending notes. 

 Another new bird,, or at least new to me, makes the forests - 

 ring. 



When the vultures see us making our sheds, they con- 

 clude that we have killed some animal ; but after watching 

 awhile, and seeing no meat, they depart. This is suggestive 

 of what other things prove, that it is only by sight they are 

 guided* 



With respect to the native head-dresses the colouring; 

 matter, " nkola," which, seems to be cam-wood, is placed as 

 an ornament on the head, and some is put on the bark-cloth 

 to give it a pleasant appearance. The tree, when cut, is 

 burned to bring out the strong colour, and then, when it is 

 developed, the wood is powdered. 



The gum-copal, trees now pour out gum where wounded, . 

 and I have seen masses of it fallen on the ground. 



26t7i January. — Went northwards along the Movushi, 

 near to its confluence with Chambeze, and then took lodging 

 in a deserted temporary village. In the evening I shot 

 a poku, or tsebula, full-grown male. It measured from snout 



* The experience of all African sportsmen tends towards the same con- 

 clusion. Vultures probably have their beats high overhead in the sky, 

 too far to be seen by the eye. From this altitude they can watch a vast 

 tract of country, and whenever the disturbed movements of game are 

 observed they draw together, and for the first time are seen wheeling 

 about at a great height over the spot. So soon as an animal is killed, 

 every tree is filled with them, but the hunter has only to cover the meat 

 with boughs or reeds and the vultures are entirely at a loss — hidden, 

 from view it is hidden altogether : the idea that they are attracted by 

 their keen sense of smell is altogether erroneous.- — Ed.. 



