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C. S. Webb—A Collector in French Cameroon



I do not know if it is the best way, I keep several species of Fruit-

suckers very fit on it. A little insectivorous food, cut-up grapes, soaked

currants, a very little grated egg, a piece of sweet orange, pear, or apple

hung up, a dessertspoonful of nectar daily made from condensed

milk, Mellin’s food, and honey, and two mealworms per day each.



A COLLECTOR IN FRENCH CAMEROON


By C. S. Webb


In 1935 I visited French Cameroon in West Africa, with the idea

of collecting some of the many varieties of beautiful birds which had

never or rarely been seen by aviculturists in England. It was formerly

a German possession, but is now a French Mandate, and is bordered by

Gaboon in the south, Belgian Congo in the east, and British Cameroon

in the north.


This is one of the most interesting parts of Africa to the ornithologist,

especially to one unable to undertake a long expedition into the interior,

for many varieties of Central African birds are here found comparatively

near the coast, but do not occur further west in Nigeria or the Gold

Coast.


Cameroon is divided into three natural zones. From south to north

they are (1) forest region, (2) savannah or park-like country, (3)

semi-arid region. North of this is the Great Sahara Desert.


On my way to Cameroon I w^as greatly interested in the native

medicine market in Lagos, Nigeria. Here was to be seen an amazing

assortment of dried birds and reptiles, being sold as “ cures ” or charms

for various complaints. There were large numbers of dried heads of

monkeys, Hawks, and a Red-billed Hornbill (probably Lophopheros

camerus). Apart from these there were also live giant land snails,

tortoises, and chameleons, the latter being sold apparently to anyone

bothered by the attentions of evil spirits. The most amusing exhibit

was a large tin containing live electric cat-fish, the shock from which

was supposed to cure rheumatism. Judging by the screams of some

lady passengers who were brave enough to put their hands in the tin.



