FROM KANO TO SOCCATOO. 
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wings, and the back a dusky green ; chirped just like the sparrow : 
hundreds were building their nests in this and the other trees, 
which they do at the extreme branches or twigs, and are sown 
together with leaves ; the nests are platted with grass, and have 
their entrance at the bottom. Both male and female work at the 
nest, and they lay about six or seven eggs. During this season 
they are very busy, and keep up a constant chirruping and flutter 
under their nests and about the trees. 
Saturday, 26th. — Last evening I had a long and severe fit of 
the ague, which continued on me until daylight. In the morning 
it came on to rain, thunder, and lighten, which continued until 
near noon, when it cleared up. I had the camels loaded, giving 
the head man of the town twenty-seven gora nuts, as he had sent 
me a young sheep, plenty of milk, and corn for my horse. Left 
Gongodi; the path winding through plantations of millet, doura, 
cotton, and indigo here and there dispersed in the woods. Crossed 
a small river, and several streams whose courses were to the east- 
ward. The soil a red clay mixed with sand, and only scraps of 
rock, of clay ironstone, and large blocks of granite. The water 
from the leaves of the trees made us all wet, and one time I had 
nearly lost my eye by the branch of a tree while looking at my 
compass ; as it was, I got my face badly torn. At 2. SO P. M. it 
came on to rain, and being close to the town of Koki, I halted for 
the night. The w 7 alls of this town are also falling to decay ; but I 
observe with pleasure that as the walls have fallen the houses ap- 
pear to have increased. I was provided with as good a house as 
the place afforded, and was plentifully supplied with provisions. 
Sunday, 27th. — Clear morning, with light flying clouds. At 
6. SO A. M. left Koki. I gave the head man thirty gora nuts, as he 
had given me a plentiful supply of milk, and millet for my horse and 
camel. The road was excessively wet, being nearly every step mid- 
leg deep, and very slippery. The decayed ant-hills not being seen, 
