BIRDS AND BEASTS AT DONGOLA. 271 next few days was something appalling. I assisted at the flaying thereof, and all went well till we got to operating on the head, and there we stuck ; what was to happen to the great skin pouch under the beak ? I forget how we squared it at last, but I know next day D called me into his charnelhouse and pointed out in consternation that the pouch was turning dark red. By-and-by it got quite black, dried up, and finally began to split. I shall not easily forget D 's anguish at this untoward occurrence ; it seems he had destined the skin for the chief ornament of his paternal halls, and now his hopes were dashed.

The birds and beasts were not half so numerous or brilliant as we had expected to find. Beyond a very few gazelle, a few foxes, and plenty of lizards and chameleons, there were absolutely no four-footed animals ; even crocodiles were at a premium, only one being bagged, by M ,. during our stay. Some fifty miles down the river there were supposed to be four hippopotami, who had lived there for years ; we organised an expedition for their slaughter, but, as it happened, it never came off. Birds were