256 
SAVAGE SUDAN 
with dense growths of papyrus and swamp-vegetation. 
It was here, as already related, that we found droves of 
hippopotami which, abjuring the river, lie up by day in 
these tangled tunnels. Hence it may befall that, while 
peering into viewless jungle for some humble Hypolais , 
and a league from the river, the naturalist may find 
himself within arm’s-length of the monstrous bulk of a 
sleeping hippopotamus. 
“ Expectant.” 
Pied Crows outside my cabin-port on Isis, Lake No, February ioth, 1913. 
The winter climate of the Sudan has been pronounced 
delightful; yet without questioning the epithet, there are 
two conditions - precedent which must be reserved and 
understood. First, that the term “delightful climate” 
may include that degree of fierce sun-heat which charac¬ 
terises the tropics, but which those who have not been in 
that zone can scarcely realise. True, the merciful North- 
wind blows —as a rule —by day, and sometimes at night; 
and so long as that mercy is vouchsafed the intensity of 
solar ferocity is tempered and mitigated. It is upon the 
permanence of that breeze that the second implied condition 
centres. But no such permanence can be relied on : and 
