447 
Expedition to the Zambesi River. 
240. Numida mitrata Pall. 
Gregarious and well distributed along both banks of the 
river, a flock not unfrequently numbering over 50 birds. 
Each favoured locality, even islands in mid-stream, has its 
own particular party. Towards nightfall they proclaim 
their presence to the traveller on the river by their well- 
known cries, as they go to seek their favourite watering spot. 
Hardly a marpela-field that is worth anything escapes their 
surveillance, the thick woods that generally surround the 
fields forming strongholds from whence these feathered 
robbers issue and do much damage to the newly-sown grain. 
Towards evening, while paddling through some lofty gorge 
of the river, one may often catch glimpses of this Guinea- 
fowl among the high rocks. Amid these wild surroundings 
the bird looks indeed handsome, with face and neck of bright 
cobalt-blue. He is the leader of a flock that lies ensconced 
among the rocks, waiting for his signal to advance down to the 
water. He has thrown off his habitual stooping gait and stands 
with helmeted head erect, a feathered warrior, seemingly 
prepared to dispute every inch of his rocky home. 
But he means to do nothing of the sort. On the approach 
of footsteps he sounds the f< alarm/'’ then the “ retreat/'’ 
raspy-throated calls that grate upon the ear, and are taken 
up by all the other members of the flock, when one and all 
scuttle pell-mell over the ground, now leaping from rock to 
rock, now spanning some rocky gorge with a clumsy flight. 
Although there is no order about their retreat, each bird 
going its own way, yet it is wonderful with what rapidity 
they reform into flocks and creep back once more to their 
old spot after the cause of danger has disappeared. As 
breeding-time approaches (January, the wet season) the 
birds pair and come together only when feeding. At 
that time of the year they rely more than ever upon their 
running-powers, seldom taking flight in the presence of 
danger, while in the woods it is next to impossible to put 
them up. In a game-country, where there are extensive 
stretches of grass-land enclosed by woods, flocks of these 
birds may be observed towards evening scattered over its 
