Chap. XI. BIRDS AND THEIR SPORTS. 297 



only weary the reader to narrate in detail. Natives from 

 all parts of the country came to see the launch, most of 

 them quite certain that, being made of iron, she must go 

 to the bottom as soon as she entered the water. Earnest 

 discussions had taken place among them with regard to 

 the propriety of using iron for ship-building. The 

 majority affirmed that it would never answer. They said, 

 " If we put a hoe into the water, or the smallest bit of 

 iron, it sinks immediately. How then can such a mass of 

 iron float ? it must go to the bottom." The minority 

 answered that this might be true with them, but white 

 men had medicine for everything. " They could even 

 make a woman, all except the speaking ; look at that one 

 on the figure-head of the vessel." The unbelievers were 

 astonished, and could hardly believe their eyes, when they 

 saw the shij3 float lightly and gracefully on the river, 

 instead of going to the bottom, as they so confidently pre- 

 dicted. " Truly," they said, " these men have powerful 

 medicine." 



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 even- 

 ings. The pretty little black weaver, with yellow shoul- 

 ders, 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 and self-complacent song. A playful 

 performance on the wind succeeds. Expanding his soft 

 velvet-like plumage, one glides with quivering pinions to 

 the centre of the open space, singing as he flies, then turns 

 with a rapid whirring sound from his wings — somewhat 



