We go to Ganda. \ 
235 
and other tropical trees of less note fill up the scene. 
Pelicans, herons, storks, craues, wild-duck, and other 
water-fowMine the shores, swim in swarms upon the 
surface of the lake, sweep in clouds overhead, or, 
settling, crowd upon the trees with much fluttering, 
confusion, and noise. 
The pelican deserves especial notice, for both on 
account of its numbers and its peculiar appearance it 
attracts attention. It is a large bird, as large as a 
goose, with a swan-like neck, enormous bill, and 
extremely large pouch. We shot a couple, and 
actually tasted a portion of their flesh, but I had 
some compunction about that matter. The mem- 
brane composing the pouch is so large, elastic, and 
tough, that the natives make drums of it. While 
we were there the Wapokomo stretched one over a 
large, earthern pot, capable of holding a gallon at 
least, and it completely covered the vessel on all 
sides, the ends meeting at the bottom. From this 
instrument the makers educed music which they con- 
sidered very entertaining, giving us performances 
upon it almost every night. The pelican, remarkable 
for its fondness for soHtary and marshy places, finds a 
congenial home in these regions, and its presence lends 
a very weird and gloomy aspect to the scene. 
Landing in the bay on the north-east shores of the 
lake, we were led through the tall grass and among 
the trees for a short distance, when we came upon 
two or three old and deserted huts. This place is 
called Dirbu Bakomoli, and had been a Kipokomo 
village. Here the Gallas of Ganda were to meet us. 
But they had not arrived. After waiting a short time 
it began to be whispered that the Ganda men would 
