426 
GUINEA-FOWLS. 
3, 4 Nov. 
this spot were the remains of a Bushman Kraal of seven huts, the 
inhabitants of which one may almost suppose to have been driven 
away by these annoying insects. 
Amongst the vegetation of the bank, three plants of a most 
marked European complexion, and as it were almost English*, were 
found growing together on the same spot. Every thicket was so 
interwoven and entangled with Asparagus rivalis, that the labor and 
fatigue of tearing a way through it, added to the increasing heat of 
the day, brought on a degree of lassitude that compelled me to rest 
during the afternoon. But, in the evening, taking a stroll under the 
large trees along the river, I observed in a very ancient and pictu- 
resque Karree-tree, marks of its being the nightly roosting-place of a 
considerable number of large birds, and my curiosity induced me to 
wait in concealment till they came home. They proved to be what 
are c2A\Qdi Guinea-foxds or Pintadoes (A'^^mztZa).- presently the tree 
became, as it were, a, complete poultry-yard ; and as I sat watching 
their movements and manners, each taking its perch, just as tame 
fowls are seen to do, it was not easy to believe them to be wild birds. 
4ith. The Bushmen, although I rose early, had all taken their 
departure before I awoke, carrying with them a large load of dried 
meat which had been given them as a present to their Kraal. 
In the course of the night the river began to swell, and had 
already risen about three feet : yet not the least appearance of rain 
had, for a long time, been observable within our horizon. This 
proved that heavy thunder-showers had fallen in some country very 
far up the stream, and probably to the eastward. A few Bushmen, 
who showed themselves in the woods on the opposite bank, called 
out to us, but seemed not inclined to take the trouble of swimming 
over. Speelman shot a Hippopotamus in the neck, but not mor- 
tally, and it therefore escaped. 
The Hottentots having completed the drying of our meat, and 
* A species Pote?itiUa, 
Polygonum, very much like P. aviculare. 
Veronica, like V. scutellata. 
