WITH EMIN PASHA ON THE DARE CONTINENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1912, 13 July 1888, Page 31

WITH EMIN PASHA ON THE DARE CONTINENT.

In a notice of this work the " Leisure Hour 1 ' makes a number of interesting extracts from it, of which the following are a few :—: —

THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS FROM THE NILE.

If migration be taken in its widest sense as a periodical removal from " one place to another, it may be asserted that the greater part of the animals of Africa are forced to make such changes. The difference in the commencement of the rainy season throughout the grassy or wooded uplands, both north and south of the equator, naturally influences the ripening of fruits and the development of insect, life, upon which the higher classes of animals depend for subsistence. Hence arises the necessity for the latter to leave tracts which are beginning to get dry and to go in search of others which yield the necessary means of subsistence in greater abundance. A good example of this wandering caused by the necessity of finding food is afforded in the Ghrysospizza lutea, Licht., which frequents the steppe in flocks at the first commencement of the summer rain, and builds its nests in the acacia brushwood, but, as soon as the steppe becomes withered and dry, collects in small companies and removes to the banks of the larger rivers and brooks, visiting even towns and villages. These birds may thus be seen in the winter months by hundreds in Khartoum, together with Passer dmncstieus, L. The same is true of some weaver-birds. It is, then, quite natural that, when the steppe yields no more food, its feathered inhabitants should retire, in part, at least, to the south, where an abundant feast awaits them. I mention as a wellknown example Hyphantica oetMopioa, Sund., which in summer frequents the tablelands of Kordofan, Sennar, and Takale, but in winter chooses for its abode the region between Sobat and the 4th parallel of N. lat., because the beds of rushes in this tract supply suitable dwellings and food. But besides the need of food, which causes birds as well as all other animals to change theirresidence, it must be remembered that limited districts, which are able in ordinary times to harbour a certain number of birds, become too small for them, particularly in the breeding season, because on the one hand each pair demands a larger space, and on the other the consumption of insects especially is considerably increased. Hence results and movements, which in our territory are chiefly from south to north, though migrations to the south are not unknown.

THE AFRICAN FOREST. Here, as an example in another vein, is a note on the African forest :

" I have mentioned woods so often that it may be well to explain what I mean by them. It is a mistake to imagine that on entering Monbuthi from the north you will immediately meet with dark impenetrable woods. Magnificent gallery woods, in which all the marvels of vegetation unfold themselves before the enchanted gaze, often border to a considerable distance even the smallest brook. Every declivity in the ground is covered by trees and bushes, and on the old clearings and the cultivated spots Flora's wild and cultured offspring are mingled, forming often completely impenetrable walls. The region, however, of immense forests, in which one may wander for hours without seeing a sunbeam, and where one hears the rain beating upon the summits of the trees without feeling a drop, commences only a little to the west of the A-Zande district, ruled over by Chief Karma. I have seen such stretches of primitive forest ki Montbuthi, and there is no doubt that this country was originally quite covered with forests, to judge from the remains of virgin woods which still exist. The gradual disappearance of the forest is to be attributed to the comparatively thick population, to the constant removal of villages and fields, and to the inroads of both axe and fire. When I have seen the relics of ages long passed, the gigantic frames of trees thrown across the way, having been cut down and given over to decay because they spread too much shade over the crops, I t have felb that Nature herself was profaned. After many years of wandering through these regions I am inclined to think that in ancient times the true Central African forest region, that is, the permanence of closed woods contain-

ing- westerly species, extended much farther to the north than it does to-day."

A LION KING.

And here is a strange state of affairs that will doubtless be made a note of by our showmen :— " Only the leopards are dreaded, for they often attack men, which the lions never do, although they lurk in the bush in twos and threes. The negroes tell me that they are under the control of a chief named Lottor, «a very simple, good-natured man, who always keeps two tame lions in his house (a fact), and as long as he receives occasional presents of corn and goats, prevents the wild lions from doing any mischief. It is curious to note that the lions here are really good tempered (perhaps because they find abundance of food), and they are also much admired, as was shown by the following incident : — One day we came upon a, lion caught in a pitfall, whereupon Chief Lottor was fetched, and he pushed into the pit branches of trees to enable the lion to get out ; this it did, and after giving ,us a roar of acknowledgment, walked off unharmed. Another chief is said to possess the power of keeping fche game away from the pitfalls. One of our men told me that this chief was at one time detained under arrest at the station for a few hours, the consequence being that no game came near the station for about eight days, so that a present had to be sent to tne chief to appease him. Chief Chulong's wife also is famous for her power over the numerous crocodiles which make their home in Khor Gineti."

A NATIVE SMITH.

It is not the flora and fauna alone that occupy Emm's attention. Of ethnology and folk-lore there is much ; but perhaps the most interesting allusions are to the native trades. For example, "The Shuli have a greater liking for glass beads than any other tribe of this country ; , small crimson and white opal beads are particularly prized. The men plait cowrie-shells and beads in their hair, but their tresses are not elaborately arranged as among the. Shuli living farther to the south and east. Iron ornaments are everywhere the order of the day, and the gorgets, which actually cause the neck muscles underneath to shrink, and bracelets and anklets, as well as chains and ornaments for the girdles, are very neatly made. A Shuli smith was working close to the chief's premises. His bellows was formed of large clay vessels, having- at their bases spouts drawn out at right angles to carry the blast; they were covered at the top with leather, having rods fastened in the middle, which are worked up and clown to cause the draught, and are kept in action by a boy. Large stones serve as anvil and hammer ; the tongs are made of a piece of wood split at the end ; and a piece of iron to polish the work completes the apparatus. Fining the iron is never practised. At the time of our visit bits were being made for donkeys, which are numerous."