CHAP. IX.] 
DESTRUCTIVENESS OF BIRDS. 
365 
cement. I have seen three varieties of white ants— 
the largest about the size of a small wasp : this does not 
attack dwellings, but subsists upon fallen trees. The 
second variety is not so large ; this species seldom 
enters buildings. The third is the greatest pest: this 
is the smallest, but thick and juicy;—the earth is 
literally alive with them, nor is there one square foot 
of ground free from them in Latooka. 
“June 19 th .—Had a bad attack of fever yesterday 
that has been hanging about me for some days. 
Weighed all the luggage and packed the stores in 
loads of fifty pounds each for the natives to carry. 
“June 20th .—Busy making new ropes from the bark 
of a mimosa; all hands at work, as we start the day 
after to-morrow. My loss in animals makes a difference 
of twenty-three porters’ loads. I shall take forty 
natives, as the bad road will necessitate light loads for 
the donkeys. I have now only fourteen donkeys ; 
these are in good condition, and would thrive, were not 
the birds so destructive by pecking sores upon their 
backs. These sores would heal quickly by the appli¬ 
cation of gunpowder, but the birds irritate and enlarge 
them until the animal is rendered useless. I have lost 
two donkeys simply from the attacks of these birds ;— 
the only remaining camel and some of the donkeys 
1 have covered with jackets made of tent-cloth. 
