70 ACTIVITY OF MEN AND BOYS. Chap. III. 



while the Scopus (Scopus umbrctta) and large herons peer 

 intently into pools. The large black and white spur- 

 winged goose (a constant marauder of native gardens) 

 springs up, and circles round to find out what the dis- 

 turbance can be, and then settles down again with a 

 splash. Hundreds of Linongolos (Anastomus lamelligerus) 

 rise on the wing from the clumps of reeds, or low trees 

 (the Eschinomena, from which pith hats are made), on 

 which they build in colonies, and are speedily high 

 in mid-air. Charming little red and yellow weavers 

 (Ploceidce) remind one of butterflies, as they fly in and out 

 of the tall grass, or hang to the mouths of their pendent 

 nests, chattering briskly to their mates within. These 

 weavers seem to have "cock nests," built with only a 

 roof, and a perch beneath, with a doorway on each side. 

 The natives say they are made to protect the bird from 

 the rain. Though her husband is very attentive, we have 

 seen the hen bird tearing her mate's nest to pieces, but 

 why we cannot tell. Kites and vultures are busy over- 

 head, beating the ground for their repast of carrion ; and 

 the solemn-looking, stately-stepping Marabout, with a 

 taste for dead fish, or men, stalks slowly along the almost 

 stagnant channels. Groups of men and boys are search- 

 ing diligently in various places for lotus and other roots, 

 Some are standing in canoes, on the weed-covered ponds, 

 spearing fish, while others are punting over the small 

 intersecting streams, to examine their sunken fish- 

 baskets. 



Fish-basket. 



