enjoyed the delightful notes of a little bird which bore the greatest
resemblance to the Canary bird, not only in size and color, but in
its singing also ; and it had, therefore, gained from the Klaarwater
people the name of Kanari vogel. It is not easy to suppress that
natural reluctance we feel at taking away the life of any thing so
innocent and pleasing as the bird that entertains us by its happy warbling.
On this account I never shot but one individual of that species,
nor did any of my men happen ever to meet with another. In
the mead we often started a very remarkable sort of plover, distinguished
by a short thorn or spur at the flexure, or metacarpal joint
of the wing. A kite, which in size, manners, and appearance, much
resembled the common kite of Europe, now and then occurred in
different districts of the interior, but seldom more than two or three
were seen at the same time. It is known by the name of Kuikendief
(Chicken-thief). A Kestrel was frequently met with, and also the
common Butcher-bird or Shrike, the common Hoopoe, and Bee-
eater; all four so much resembling the English bird, that a doubt may
be admitted whether they can be considered as forming distinct species.
A goat-sucker, first shot at this place, but found in various other parts
of Africa, differs very little in general appearance from the European
kind. The Green-and-gold Cuckoo was found in abundance; as were
Crows of two species; the little Cape Pigeon, or Namaqua duif; the
Guinea Dove, called Boschduif (Wood Pigeon); the Turtle Dove; the
Cape Lark, called, I know not for what reason, Wilde KcilJcoentje,
(Little Wild Turkey); and the Sacred Vulture, or Witte Kraai. Besides
these we shot specimens of new species of Snipe, Rail, Orioles,
Shrikes, Swallow, Thrush, Barbets, Plovers, Flycatchers, Sparro,
Grosbeak, See. To which list may be added a considerable number
of the birds already mentioned in the preceding part of this journal.
30th. Gert, by residing in Captain Kok’s hut, and thus passing
several weeks entirely among the Klaarwater Plottentots, had an
Rallus, species 3 * Charadrios
Scolopax Grus . (Groote blamoe Kraan-
Oriolus ' vogel)
Lanius Loxia (Linn.) species 3
opportunity of hearing a great deal of village talk, and sometimes
reported whatever he thought important for me to know. Through
him I now began to learn that the general feeling of these people
was unfavourable tó my expedition ; for it had been by some means
told and circulated amongst them, that I intended to take the same
journey as those unfortunate travellers already alluded to. This was,
indeed, the same, in effect, as telling them that all who joined me
would be murdered by the. savage^. Hitherto I had not been able
actually to hire any men, although three or four had half-promised
to go. Still I perceived every where a disposition to avoid any positive
engagement; and, until I heard it from Gert, I was at a loss to
guess the cause. For not having disclosed to any person, excepting
the missionaries, that I had a positive intention of travelling far
beyond Litaakoon, the reluctance which the Hottentots seemed to
have against my undertaking, appeared unaccountable ; especially as
these people feel so much pleasure in hunting, and in a constant
change of abode, that travelling and our mode of life must have
presented some temptation, as being more congenial to their habits,
than any other employment. Offers of high wages had been made
to them, yet hitherto without effect.
As soon as I became aware of the real cause of this disinclination
to enter my service, I immediately endeavoured to counteract
it, by frequently repeating an assurance that no idea of following the
track of those travellers was ever entertained; and that I had certainly
no intention of running into obvious danger ; but would give
them my promise to turn back, the moment we should discover that
there was, by advancing further into the interior, any evident risk
of our safety ; that as I was perfectly independent, and accountable
to no one for the course I was to take, or for the time of my return, I
was perfectly at liberty to regulate my travels, .just as it might be
thought safe and agreeable; and as it was, undoubtedly, quite as
much my wish as theirs to return again in safety to my home and
to my friends, I should of course never be so senseless or so mad,
as to venture into countries which presénted no prospect or chance
of our safe retreat; that I had much more at stake than they had,
and consequently should be proportionally more watchful of danger;