CHEERFUL COUNTRY VULTURES. 159 
theless thought of the pestilential exhalations of the 
stagnant pools further on in Soudan. The ground 
holds the water tightly, for wells are sunk near 
it of some depth before water is reached. This 
pool, or lake, dries up during the heat of summer, 
as is proved by the existence of wells sunk in their 
beds. 
The country to-day was extremely pleasant, like 
some parts of the undulating county of Essex, after 
the harvest is gathered. I scarcely expected to find 
such reminiscences in Africa, on the frontiers of 
Damerghou. If the vegetation were all in leaf, 
the scenery would be quite cheerful and happy- 
looking. The trees to-day thickened into forests 
down some slopes — but there is nothing tropical in 
all this verdure: one or two plants, at most, are 
all that could be considered as such. Many 
gazelles glanced on either hand as we proceeded : 
the guinea-hen was in great numbers, thirty 
or forty together, old ones and chickens. They 
run very quickly through the forests, and cannot 
be taken in the day. At night, however, some are 
snared. They feed on the karengia, and get im- 
mensely plump. Their flesh is greatly esteemed. 
Doves showed themselves in flights; and many 
beautiful small birds, some strangers to my eyes. 
One especially, a little black-and-white fellow, with 
an immense bushy tail. Vultures, in company with 
a variegated crow, were feeding on a dead camel. 
This curious crow has a white neck and breast. 
