16 



THE LAKE REGIONS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. 



white mane. It is a cleanly animal, ever occupied in 

 polishing its beautiful garb, which, according to the 

 Arabs, it tears to pieces when wounded, lest the hunter 

 should profit by it. The mbega lives in trees, seldom 

 descending, and feeds upon the fruit and the young 

 leaves. The Arabs speak of wild dogs in the vicinity 

 of Unyanyembe, describing them as being about eight- 

 een inches in height, with rufous-black and shaggy 

 coats, and long thick tails ; they are gregarious, running 

 in packs of from 20 to 200 ; they attack indiscrimi- 

 nately man and the largest animals, and their only cry 

 is a howl. About the time of our autumn the pools are 

 visited by various kinds of aquatic birds, widgeon, 

 plump little teal, fine snipe, curlew, and crane ; the 

 ardea, or white " paddy-bird" of India, and the "lily- 

 trotter" (Parra Africana), are scattered over the 

 country; and sometimes, though rarely, the chenalopex 

 or common Egyptian-goose and the gorgeous-crowned 

 crane (Balearica pavonina), the latter a favourite dish 

 with the Arabs, appear. In several parts of Unyam- 

 wezi, especially in the north, there is a large and well- 

 flavoured species of black-backed goose (Sakidornis 

 melanota) : the common wild duck of England was not 

 seen. Several specimens of the Buceros, the secretary- 

 bird (Serpentarius reptilivorus), and large vultures, 

 probably the condor of the Cape, were observed in Un- 

 yamwezi ; the people do not molest them, holding the 

 flesh to be carrion. The Cuculus indicator, called in 

 Kisawahili "tongoe," is common ; but, its honey being 

 mostly hived, it does not attract attention. Grillivori, 

 and a species of thrush, about the size of common larks, 

 with sulphur-yellow patches under the eyes, and two 

 naked black striae beneath the throat, are here migratory 

 birds ; they do good service to the agriculturist against 



