THE KEDERU COUNTRY. 307 2. From KEDIBA TO BITI—CONDITION OF THE AMADI DISTRICT.

THE KEDERU COUNTRY—A VILLAGE FESTIVAL—MISDEEDS OF THE DANAGLA, AND RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF SOCIAL ORDER—THE MORU COUNTRY— NOTES ON THE AKKA, AmonG luxuriant fields of Penicillaria, growing to a height of some ten feet upon the grey loam, we marched over hilly country, bestrewn with stones, and covered in most parts with bush. In the midst of the latter were numerous small zerdbas and industriously cultivated crops, where high wooden scaffoldings (often two storeys high) served as watch-towers and | frightened away the birds, which visit the crops in large numbers. After passing the small Khor Ngorre, which was seven feet broad, but contained only a little water in its red sandy bed, we reached the important Khor Tafari, that here rushes rapidly almost from south to north, and is about fifty to sixty feet broad and five feet deep. The banks, which are fringed with beautiful woods, are of a grey loam; the eastern bank is about ten feet high, and steep, while the western bank slopes gradually to the water. ‘The current has formed at this place a large sandbank. The natives assert positively that this stream joins Khor It6é farther to the north, and then assuming the name of “Gel,” crosses the country of the Elyab and reaches the Bahrel-Jebel opposite Bor. Numerous small watercourses join the Tafari, which is said to contain water throughout the whole of the year. All the hamlets which we passed were deserted on our approach by their inhabitants, who fled into the jungle. The fires were burning in the huts, and as soon as we had passed, their owners returned. The people here seem to be accustomed to rough usage, for in our province it would certainly never occur to any of the people to flee before a traveller. A Kedert hamlet gives one the idea of a child’s plaything, owing to the neatness and diminutive size of the huts. We halted ‘shortly after crossing Khor Pottokai, where I observed the nests of the weaver-bird, which I had missed for some time. The honey-guides (/ndicator Sparmanni) in great numbers tried hard to attract our attention, unfortunately in vain.