The ostrich also adopts the lapwing fashion, but no quadrupeds do: they show fight to defend their young instead.

In some places the steep banks were dotted with the holes which lead into the nests of bee-eaters.

These birds came out in hundreds as we passed.

When the red-breasted species settle on the trees, they give them the appearance of being covered with red foliage.
On the morning of the 12th October we passed through a wild, hilly country, with fine wooded scenery on both sides, but thinly inhabited.
The largest trees were usually thorny acacias, of great size and beautiful forms.

As we sailed by several villages without touching, the people became alarmed, and ran along the banks, spears in hand.