54 
A NATURALIST ON THE PROWL . 
simply a powerful pair of pincers, long enough to give the 
leverage required for wrenching off tough fruit. Note 
this and examine the beak of the next Hornbill you 
see. 
When night falls and the birds have gone to bed, 
then dark flying foxes will flap heavily round the tree, 
and hooking themselves on, clamber about, chewing and 
munching. In the morn- 
ing the ground will be 
thickly strewn with the 
remains of their untidy 
and wasteful repast. 
Then a slow procession 
of spectral cattle will 
come upon the scene 
gaunt frames of bullocks 
and cows and calves, 
with scabby hide drawn 
HORNBILL. 
tight over sharp bones, lustrous eyes staring wantingly, 
and prematurely grown, distorted horns. And they will 
greedily feed on what the bats have dropped. Poor 
things ! the wide world seems to have no food to spare 
for them. The ground is bare of grass, and the shrubs 
