180 
BAY OF AMPHILA. 
shummall/' or " north-west wind/' the thermometer fell as 
low as 72°, at which time we had cloudy weather and occasional 
showers, while on shore the rain appeared to be almost incessant. 
Previously to the approach of a shummall the air became always 
extremely heavy, and the atmosphere hazy, from being appa- 
rently loaded with sand, which the force of partial gusts of wind 
had carried up in the shape of pillars, and these were constantly 
observed sweeping in different directions across the plain. I never 
heard of any accident occurring from these moving pillars of 
sand," nor did the natives appear to entertain any particular dread 
of them. I have myself been enveloped in a portion of one of 
them, the effects of which were exceedingly unpleasant, making 
the whole of my skin feel parched and dry ; but I experienced 
no actual suffering from it, either at the time or afterwards. 
Besides the birds before noticed, I may here take occasion to 
mention, that the shoals and islands were frequented by large 
flights of sea^fowl, such as pelicans, herns of a large size and of 
many different species, flamingos, spoon-bills, gulls, curlews, 
snipes, and sand-larks. I also shot upon the coast a very beautiful 
species of bird, which was supposed by Dr. Latham at first sight 
to be nearly allied to the Ardea pondiceriana ; but it has since 
been thought to form a new and distinct genus, from its having 
the bill of an ardea, while the feet are deeply webbed, and more 
nearly allied to those of the avoset. Specimens of both male and 
female are now in the possession of Lord Stanley, to whom I pre- 
sented them on my return to England. I discovered likewise a 
new species of lark, which is very common on all the islands, and 
which, from its colour and habits, may be aptly termed the desert 
