Finally, across a glade, not over a hundred and fifty yards away, we
saw a solitary bull oryx standing under a bush. B. wanted an oryx. We
discussed this one idly. He looked to be a decent oryx, but nothing
especial. However, he offered a very good shot; so B., after some
hesitation, decided to take it. It proved to be by far the best specimen
we shot, the horns measuring thirty-six and three fourths inches! Almost
immediately after, two of the rather rare striped hyenas leaped from the
grass and departed rapidly over the top of a hill. We opened fire, and
F. dropped one of them. By the time these trophies were prepared, the
sun had mounted high in the heavens, and it was getting hot.

Accordingly we abandoned that still distant river and swung away in a
wide circle to return to camp.

Several minor adventures brought us to high noon and the heat of the
day. B. had succeeded in drawing a prize, one of the Grevy's or mountain
zebra. He and the gunbearers engaged themselves with that, while we sat
under the rather scanty shade of a small thorn tree and had lunch.
Here we had a favourable chance to observe that very common, but always
wonderful phenomenon, the gathering of the carrion birds. Within five
minutes after the stoop of the first vulture above the carcass, the sky
immediately over that one spot was fairly darkened with them. They were
as thick as midges-or as ducks used to be in California. All sizes were
there from the little carrion crows to the great dignified vultures and
marabouts and eagles. The small fry flopped and scolded, and rose and
fell in a dense mass; the marabouts walked with dignified pace to and
fro through the grass all about. As far as the eye could penetrate the
blue, it could make out more and yet more of the great soarers stooping
with half bent wings. Below we could see uncertainly through the shimmer
of the mirage the bent forms of the men.

We ate and waited; and after a little we dozed. I was awakened suddenly
by a tremendous rushing roar, like the sound of a not too distant
waterfall. The group of men were plodding toward us carrying burdens.
And like plummets the birds were dropping straight down from the
heavens, spreading wide their wings at the last moment to check their
speed. This made the roaring sound that had awakened me.

A wide spot in the shimmer showed black and struggling against the
ground. I arose and walked over, meeting halfway B. and the men carrying
the meat. I