178 
In the Heart of Africa 
the greater become the deposits of debris and shells, evidences 
that the country was formerly under water. 
The plains gradually dip into the watery surface, from the 
slimy subsoil of which thickets of reeds and rushes shoot up and 
border the southern parts of the banks as with a broad ribbon. 
The ornithological wealth of this part of Africa is amazing. 
Pelicans move about in thousands on the southern banks of the 
estuary of the Rutschuru, and sport peacefully amongst the 
numerous hippopotami in the narrow dry places. The hoarse cry 
of the heron is intermingled with the dull tones of the bittern, or 
mire-drum, and the snow-white plumage of the ardea nobilis con¬ 
trasts effectively with the dark green of the reeds. The swarms 
of marsh and water-hens are indescribable as they flit light-footed 
to and fro on the water grasses and fearlessly suffer the approach 
of our folding boat, whilst the air is filled with immense hosts of 
white and grey gulls. Wild duck and geese of the most varied 
species rush through the air with whistling and flapping of wings. 
There is a twittering and chattering of innumerable little 
songsters amongst the reeds, and on the margin the rosy tantalus 
ibis, in company with the marabou, fishes warily for his sustenance 
in the shallow water. 
Picture to yourself the evening scene: The yellow steppe 
covered with sappy-green trees surrounded by mountains 
shadowed by black clouds, which rumble and flash; then sud¬ 
denly the blood-red sun shoots forth, and illumines the whole, 
painting the cloud-edges pink. The beautiful tints of a rainbow 
suddenly gleam out. Gazing at all these splendid tones of 
colour, which are reflected again on the water, one doubts whether 
the richest palette which painter ever held could reproduce such 
magnificence. 
Thanks to the courtesy of the Belgian officers, the two Congo¬ 
lese Government steel boats stationed on the lake were placed at 
our disposal for our journey across. A number of native boats 
also awaited us. As they were only able to take a small part of 
our loads, Weidemann was commissioned to conduct the main 
caravan along the east bank to Kissenji, which we hoped to reagh 
