DOG-FACED BABOONS. 63 where the supposed path led, we were told, to the atmoor sarkit, the former word signifying desert. Again, on starting off alone anywhere, you would be asked if you were going sarkit ; meaning, by yourself, without taking any one with you.

Some natives, watering their goats, informed us that a herd of elephants had drunk there the day before ; their marks led in the direction of the Settite River. These animals travel great distances, and, when disturbed on the Gash, usually make for the Settite, and vice versa.

I never saw more sand-grouse than at this place ; the ground was literally covered with them, packed so closely together that it appeared impossible for another bird to wedge itself in. When they rose, as we approached, the air was fairly rent with their peculiar guttural cry. The Arabs call them gatta, and this word is supposed to sound like the noise they make when on the wing.

There were baboons, too, sitting on the rocks, the cynocepJialus or dog-faced variety {cynoeephahis hamadryas), hideous animals which one frequently sees depicted in the ancient Egyptian sculptures. There are two kinds in North-eastern Africa, one much rarer than the other. In the spring of 1881 an Austrian travelled with us in the same steamer from Massowah to Suez, who had with him sixty-five of the rarer species alive ; he was taking them to Hamburg, where he made a large sum by their sale. He told us it was the first time any had been brought alive to Europe. Both kinds are very savage in confinement : in a wild state they are not very shy, and often approach pretty close to the traveller. They appear to be regular in their habits, visiting the same localities every day, and at much the same time, in quest of food ; and sleeping every night at the same place, usually on rocks in most inaccessible places, to be out of the reach of leopards or other enemies. We occasion-