DISTRICT, NYANZA PROVINCE 
85 
The peculiar cry has been heard and the animal seen, 
though by moonlight. The Tatsoni themselves have a special 
name for it, viz. Sirgoin, the common hyaena being called 
Iffisi. They state the animal comes down from the Nandi 
hills. 
The crocodile is common in all large rivers and in the lake. 
Those in the Lusumu river bear a specially bad reputation, 
probably as more accidents have occurred there. Individual 
crocodiles appear to favour certain rocks, which are known to 
the natives, for the purpose of sunning themselves. The 
traveller is constantly being told of certain crocodiles who 
have been known for long periods to frequent the same pool 
or reach of the river. The natives’ stories seem to have some 
foundation. 
The district contains many game birds as stated above, 
such as guinea fowls, quail, snipe, francolin, pigeon and 
parrot. 
The 'pigeon comprise : (1) The large blue pigeon, common 
in forests in East Africa, with a yellow bill and cere, and white 
‘ chequers ’ on the scapulars ; (2) the large blue pigeon 
(Columba guinea) with red cere and wattles ; red scapular 
with white ‘ chequers.’ These occur near the Elgon and 
Kakamega forests ; and the green pigeon, Kakamega. 
The African turtle-doves are distributed over the whole 
province. The rosy breasted turtle and the laughing turtle (?) 
both occur. 
Parrots are represented by the grey parrot ( Psittacus 
erythicus) and a small green Pococephalus, similar, but smaller, 
to the Jar dine parrot of the West Coast. 
Marabout storks occur in twos or threes near any carrion 
and are widely distributed. 
The lesser egret is fairly common. 
The Nzoia, Yala, and Lusumu rivers contain a most sporting 
cyprinoid fish who will freely rise to the natural fly (and probably 
to an imitation dressed to suit the local conditions). The first 
rushes of this fish, on being hooked, are within comparing 
distance of a trout. 
A list of the Kavirondo and Tatzoni names of animals is 
appended. 
