Charming little red and yellow weavers (_Ploceidae_) remind one of butterflies, as they fly in and out of the tall grass, or hang to the mouths of their pendent nests, chattering briskly to their mates within.

These weavers seem to have "cock nests," built with only a roof, and a perch beneath, with a doorway on each side.

The natives say they are made to protect the bird from the rain.

Though her husband is very attentive, we have seen the hen bird tearing her mate's nest to pieces, but why we cannot tell.

Kites and vultures are busy overhead, beating the ground for their repast of carrion; and the solemn-looking, stately-stepping Marabout, with a taste for dead fish, or men, stalks slowly along the almost stagnant channels.
Groups of men and boys are searching diligently in various places for lotus and other roots.