1811. 
GREAT HEAT. — NOISY CRICKETS. 
327 
tailed pigeon * seen only in pairs, generally running along the 
ground as it picks up its food ; a very small bird, resembling the 
golden-crested wren f, and of a yellowish green ; a small blackish- 
brown bird singing with very soft and sweet notes, frequently met 
with, and apparently not shy ; the barbet already mentioned §, now 
seen in greater number ; and a small familiar bird, resembling the 
Redstart, generally observed hopping under the bushes. || 
The weather being too hot for travelling by day, our departure 
was delayed till sunset. The air continued very sultry, an effect 
attributable to the moisture exhaled by the river. At ten in the 
morning the heat was 79° ; at 2 p. m. 89" ; and at sunset 81^° (26''1 
— 31°'6 — and 2T'S. Centig.). But at six on the following morning, 
it had sunk to 44 (6° '6 Cent.). 
Our road, for the first part, was through loose heavy sand, which 
ceased as soon as we quitted the region of Acacias : after this the 
ground continued hard during the whole night's journey, and, ex- 
cepting a solitary one here and there, not a tree was to be seen. 
The sands near the river were inhabited by insects of some 
importance, if we may judge of them by the noise they made. As 
soon as the sun had set, or within ten minutes afterwards, there 
commenced a din so loud and continuous, as quite to deafen the 
ear ; and this teazing and stunning sound lasted for about a quarter 
of an hour, or till the end of twilight. It seemed to proceed out of 
the earth, and, though I often sought in the very spot whence it 
came, I was unable, at this time, to get a sight of one of them to 
satisfy my curiosity ; but afterwards ascertained that this remarkable 
noise was made by a species of Cricket^i much resembling the do- 
* Columba Capensis. Gm. Sys. Nat. — " La Tourterelle a cravatte noir." Le Vaill. 
Ois. d'Afr. pi. 273, 274. — This is generally called the Namaqua Dove. 
f Or Regulus vulgaris. — Motacilla Iieg?dus, Linn. 
X Turdns Capensis, |3. Gm. Sys. Nat. — " Le Brunoir." Le Vail. Ois. d'Afr. pi. 
106. f. 1. 
§ Pogonias. — Bucco niger. Gm. 
II Turdus.—Le Jan Fredric. Le Vaill. Ois. d'Afr. pi. 111. 
f Acheta. 
