76 NIGHT-WATCHERS FOR A SHOT.

fifty-seven birds. This net proved frequently useful, not only in catching sand-grouse, but pigeons and doves as well ; and we often used it when we wanted them for food, and were anxious not to disturb the country by firing shots, in case, by so doing, we should frighten away any animals wont to frequent the watering-places, near to which we were often encamped.

At Haikota we had bought some fresh ostrich-eggs, the contents of which we placed in bottles to be used when required for making omelettes. Omelette a VatitnicJic was for some time quite a common dish with us for breakfast ; I must acknowledge, however, that we found, that, although eatable, they had rather a strong flavour, and we should have preferred the eggs of the domestic fowl, had they been obtainable.

There being a moon, two of our party watched some hours by the water, perched more or less uncomfortably on the branches of trees, in hopes of getting a shot at some animals coming to drink. For the first two or three hours this kind of thing is exciting enough ; everything is still, and the sportsman hears the least sound. After a time, however, a drowsy feeling steals over him ; and it is only with a great effort he can keep awake, or from falling off his perch. In fact, after a long day in the blazing sun, it is often more than he can do, as we sometimes found by experience. Occasionally, after watching in vain for a long time, a noise, as of some large animal approaching, is heard. To reach the water, it must pass within a few feet of where you are sitting. From the noise it makes in the bushes, it must be large game. At last the unknown animal stands out in the moonlight ; and it is only a hyaena, after all ! Such was their fate that night ; but soon afterwards they heard a tremendous crashing through the jungle, which set every nerve tingling. They felt sure the noise could be caused by nothing less than a herd of buffaloes,