BIRDS IN THE SOUDAN.
[To THE EDITOR OF TEl SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—I have a son, an officer serving in the Egyptian Army, who is very fond of observing bird-life; so also am I. It occurs to me that the accompanying extract from his letter dated near Dongola, October 1st, may be of interest to some of your readers.—I am, Sir, &c., M. AL. B.
"You would like one thing far up the Nile,—i.e., the birds, which are simply lovely. Wax-bills, hoopoes, whydah-birds, balbuls, the most lovely green fly-catchers, belted king fishers, and countless other glorious coloured birds relieve the eye from the monotony of the landscape, which is often oppressive. Last, but not least, my favourites, who make me scream with laughter,- i.e., carrion hawks, crows, and vultures. These last are ripping chaps, and a never-ending source of disgust to others and amuse- ment to me. You watch a dead camel (fairly distended by the sun and putrefaction) from up wind ; presently down flop Mr. and Mrs. Vulture, both bald and venerable, but skittish after their way. Mr. goes up to the camel, puts his beastly head on one aide, and gives a peck with his coarse, filthy beak to see if it is tasty enough. if it isn't, he bags an eye, then spreads his wings and runs like an old woman holding up her skirts going quickly over a dirty London crossing. Mrs. receives him languidly, hears that there is a spare eye going cheap, so secures that bargain, then both sit solemnly twenty yards off down wind, till their olfactory nerves are informed that dinner is ready."
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