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EXTRAORDINARY

VISITATION-BIRDS.

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had, like myself, lost his way, and it was long before he was able to recover the right track.

One morning, as we were about to yoke the oxen, we were amused to see them suddenly start off in every direction, in the wildest confusion, and cutting the most ridiculous capers. The cause of this commotion was the arrival of a large flock of the buphaga africana, which alighted on the backs of the cattle for the purpose of feeding on the ticks with which their hides are covered. By means of their long claws and elastic tails, these birds are enabled to cling to, and search every part of, the beast. It was evident, however, that our oxen had never experienced a similar visitation; no wonder, therefore, that they were taken somewhat a-back at being thus unceremoniously assailed. The buphaga africana is also a frequent companion of the rhinoceros, to which, besides being of service in ridding him of many of the insects that infest his hide, it performs the important part of sentinel. On many occasions has this watchful bird prevented me from getting a shot at that beast. The moment it suspects danger, it flies almost perpendicularly up into the air, uttering sharp, shrill notes, that never fail to attract the attention of the rhinoceros, who, without waiting to ascertain the cause, almost instantly seeks safety in a precipitate flight. According to Mr. Cumming, these birds also attend upon the hippopotamus.

Another bird (textor erythrorhynchus) is also in the habit of feeding upon parasitical insects, but is said to restrict its visits to the buffalo. In the part of Damara-land of which I am now speaking, that animal is unknown; yet these birds were in very great numbers. It appeared to be very social in its habits, living in colonies, and building its nest, which consists of dry sticks, on lofty trees.

We also made acquaintance with a small, sparrow-looking bird, the amadina squamifrons, which deserves notice on account of its peculiar and interesting nest. According to Dr. Andrew Smith, this is placed on a small shrub, and is constructed of grass. But in Damara-land and parts adjacent, the materials are of a beautifully soft texture, not unlike sheep's wool. I never could discover the plant from which it was procured. The Hottentots use it as a substitute for gun-wadding, and it is by no means a bad makeshift. The nest is so strongly put together, that one has difficulty in separating it. When the old bird absents itself, it effectually conceals the opening of the nest from view. Even long after I was acquainted with this peculiarity, I was puzzled to find it out. Just above the entrance is a small hollow, which has no communi

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RETURN то BARMEN.

cation with the interior of the nest, but which, by the uninitiated, is often mistaken for it. In this tube the male bird sits at night.

We occasionally fell in with Damara villages. In our journey northwards, the natives had shown themselves excessively timid and suspicious; but now that they had so many evidences of our peaceful intentions, they approached our camp without the least reserve or hesitation; but we could not induce them to part with any cattle, of which we stood much in need.

On the 26th of July we came in sight of Omatako, and many other well-known hills. On the 3rd of August we found ourselves at Schmelen's Hope; but how different an aspect did it present to that which lived in our memory! When we left it, about three month's previously, the country was covered with the most luxuriant vegetation. Since then, the Damaras had been encamping there with their cattle, and we were now unable to obtain sufficient pasturage for our animals. The water, moreover, was all but exhausted.

On the following day, the 4th of August, we continued our journey to Barmen, where we arrived on the afternoon of the the same day safe and well.

Thus ended an expedition which, although it might not have been so successful as we had anticipated, was not without

its fruits.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE DAMARAS-WHENCE THEY CAME-THEIR CONQUESTS-THE TIDE TURNS

-DAMARA-LAND ONLY PARTIALLY INHABITED-CLIMATE-SEASONSMYTHOLOGY

RELIGION SUPERSTITIONS MARRIAGE- POLYGAMYCHILDREN-CIRCUMCISION-BURY THEIR DEAD-WAY THEY MOURNCHILDREN INTERRED ALIVE-BURIAL OF THE CHIEF, AND SUPERSTITIONS CONSEQUENT THEREON-MALADIES DAMARAS DO NOT LIVE LONG; THE CAUSE THEREOF-FOOD-MUSIC AND DANCING-HOW THEY SWEARPOWER OF THE CHIEFTAIN LIMITED SLOTHFUL PEOPLE-NUMERALSASTRONOMY-DOMESTIC ANIMALS; THEIR DISEASES.

FREQUENT opportunities had by this time been afforded me of observing and studying the physical features of the country, the character of the natives, and their religious rites and customs. Having previously said but little on these subjects, I propose now to give some account of them. Though, from the lying habits of the Damaras, great difficulty has arisen in arriving at the truth, I believe that my statements will not be very wide of the mark. Besides the concurrent testimony of many of the natives, I have had the satisfaction, on comparing my notes with those of the missionaries, to find them agree in the main; and, as it has been my fate to witness the complete ruin and downfall of the Damaras-who, probably before another century has passed away, will be forgotten-I think that a connected and somewhat-detailed description of their history may not be unacceptable to the general reader.

That the Damaras have not resided for any length of time in the country which they now occupy, is quite certain, though whence they came is doubtful. Some of these people point to the north as their original home; others conjecture that they migrated

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