Chap. III. PRODIGIOUS NUMBER OF WILDFOWL. 60 



pliant is from ten to a little over eleven feet in height, 

 and differs from the Asiatic species more particularly in 

 the convex shape of his forehead, and the enormous size of 

 his ears. In Asia many of the males, and all the females, 

 are without tusks, but in Africa both sexes are provided 

 with these weapons. The enamel in the molar teeth is 

 arranged differently in the two species. By an admirable 

 provision, new teeth constantly come up at the part 

 where in man the wisdom teeth appear, and these push 

 the others along, and out at the front end of the jaws, 

 thus keeping the molars sound by renewal, till the animal 

 attains a very great age. The tusks of animals from dry 

 rocky countries are very much more dense and heavier 

 than those from wet and marshy districts, but the latter 

 attain much the larger size. 



The Shire marshes support prodigious numbers of 

 many kinds of water-fowl. An hour at the mast-head 

 unfolds novel views of life in an African marsh. Near the 

 edge, and on the branches of some favourite tree, rest 

 scores of plotuses and cormorants, which stretch their 

 snake-like necks, and in mute amazement turn one eye 

 and then another towards the approaching monster. By- 

 and-by the timid ones begin to fly off, or take " headers " 

 into the stream; but a few of the bolder, or mo.re com- 

 posed, remain, only taking the precaution to spread their 

 wings ready for instant flight. The pretty ardetta 

 (Herodias bubulcus), of a light yellow colour when at rest, 

 but seemingly of a pure white when flying, takes wing, 

 and sweeps across the green grass in large numbers, 

 often showing us where buffaloes and elephants are, by 

 perching on their backs. Flocks of ducks, of which the 

 kind called " Soriri " (Dendrocygna personata) is most 

 abundant, being night feeders, meditate quietly by the 

 small lagoons, until startled by the noise of the steam 

 machinery. Pelicans glide over the water, catching fish, 



