. On safari : big game hunting in British East Africa, with studies in bird-life . t is jDrobable, was about the par value of anysuch advice we could give. We visited one of their kraals, strongly stockaded, toinc[uire the way to the Molo. A score of Masai came outto meet us, each carrying his spear. The chief, an oldman, grizzled, reserved and self-possessed, was a splendidsavage, standing some seven feet high. In reply toour questions he knelt down, and, by patting the groundwith his hand, indicated the direction we should August flights of Egyptian geese and pelicans are E 50 ON S
. On safari : big game hunting in British East Africa, with studies in bird-life . t is jDrobable, was about the par value of anysuch advice we could give. We visited one of their kraals, strongly stockaded, toinc[uire the way to the Molo. A score of Masai came outto meet us, each carrying his spear. The chief, an oldman, grizzled, reserved and self-possessed, was a splendidsavage, standing some seven feet high. In reply toour questions he knelt down, and, by patting the groundwith his hand, indicated the direction we should August flights of Egyptian geese and pelicans are E 50 ON SAFARI here constantly winging their way southw^ard—no doubtfrom Lakes Baringo and Rudolph to those of Naivashaand Nakuru. The curious Kaffir-finch, or Kingwhydah-bird {Chera delamerei), with its ridiculously-exaggerated tail, is also characteristic of this veld, as w^ellas the Florican, or Wato bustard (Trachelotis ccmicollis),numberless larks, pipits, doves and ravens. The distant horizon on this, as on most grassy dow^n-lands, was frequently ornamented by the gaunt, upright. KIXG WHYDAHS. Males entirely black except the baud of crimson and buft on fore-wing. figures of ostriches feeding about, usually in pairs. Onone occasion we witnessed a struthian love-scene. Sofar as one could distinguish at the distance, the cockostrich, running in circles in spasmodic, jerky style, withneck dilated and extended in front, executed a sort ofwild dance. The beautiful white plumes of wings andtail, expanded like a fan, showed up conspicuouslyagainst his jet-black bod}^ The scene reminded one ofthe performance of an old blackcock in x4pril, or (moreappropriate, though less accurately) of the great bustardin Spain. The hen ostrich appeared to be busy feedingall the time. I also remember seeing once a triangular fight betw^eeu A TWELFTH ON THE EQUATOR 51 three cock ostriches. Despite much brave show andwidespread plumes, not one of the three would fiQ;bt deo-enerated into a mere de
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Keywords: ., bookauthorchapmana, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookyear1908
