1812. 
KNEGT'S FOUNTAIN. — BIRDS. — DESERT PLAINS. 
269 
quainted with any name for it, I have been obliged to distinguish it 
on the map by that of Knegfs Fountain, in compliance with the 
name which was given to it by my party in consequence of having 
at this spot buried my dog Knegt, which here was taken ill and died. 
This scene is represented by the engraving at page 260. 
The Bushmen made their fire at the distance of fifty yards from 
ours, where they in their own manner, cooked the meat I gave them ; 
and where, after having passed the evening with my Hottentots, they 
laid themselves down for the night. 
2\st. This fountain and the acacia grove were enlivened by 
numerous small finches of a new species allied to the Wax-bill or 
Astrild. Its general color was a cinereous brown, with every feather 
prettily marked at the top with the transverse stripes of black and 
white : the forehead, and sides of the head, were of the color of red- 
lead. * It seemed to be peculiar to this region and the country 
about Litakun, as I never met with it in any other part of the 
continent. 
Since leaving the Gariep, I had observed but fex<c birds, except- 
hig in the neighbourhood of the different fountains ; for, as the 
smaller kinds require to drink frequently, their nature and wants 
render them unfit for inhabiting those extensive arid plains which 
intervene between one spring and another. From the Kora Rock- 
Fountain to this place, was a distance of thirteen miles, and as no 
water was to be found in all that extent, it will not, on consideration, 
appear a surprising fact, that none of the smaller birds were seen 
during that days-journey. This is intended as a general remark, ap- 
plicable in every similar case, to the deserts of Southern Africa. 
That our cattle might have sufficient time for grazing, we delayed 
yoking them to the waggons till it was nearly two hours after mid-day. 
This consideration for our oxen and horses, was dictated as well by 
prudence as by humanity, and appeared to be one of the essential prin- 
* Loxia maculosa, B. Fiisco-cinerea, plumis omnibus ad apices nigro alboque fasciatis. 
Frons genaeque, miniatae, in mare ; in femina concolorae. Avis parva gregaria, victitans 
ex seminibus. 
