92 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 



Cooks. 



Abdou (from 2nd cat.) 

 Khaire (from 3rd cat.) 



Dragoman'' s Boy. 

 Pharach. 



The above may seem a large retinue, but it is impossible 

 with the present system to do the Nile voyage with less, 

 unless you are content to go up in a steamer ; but no one 

 should think of that who has plenty of time to spare, and 

 can afford a Diabeyha. 



Little need be said of the voyage down the Damietta 

 branch. There are no ruins, and it is only undertaken by 

 those who go to shoot. At the Barrage we were de- 

 tained several hours both in coming and going. Unless 

 tourists agree otherwise in their contract, they will have to 

 pay about seven pounds toll on the bridges, and the same 

 on their return. We had a great deal of rain, and lightning 

 several times, and our sailors, many of whom were Nubians, 

 a23peared to feel the cold very much. 



I must now try to describe the night I passed on Lake 

 Menzaleh. I dare say some persons have seen in English 

 estuaries flocks of Ducks so large that they might be 

 estimated by acres ; but I am not exaggerating when I say 

 that I saw there such droves as could not be distinguished 

 from extensive islands. For over three miles the whole 

 horizon sparkled with one vast unbroken horde, which, when 

 they rose in countless myriads, seemed to darken the air. 

 Pochards were the commonest species ; next to them Shovel- 

 lers, Pintails, and Widgeon, in about equal numbers. Nor 

 was this amazing sight of Ducks all, for in the distance I 

 could perceive an immense line of Flamingoes, whose re- 

 flected hues of white and roseate were flashed back from 

 the water, while the helter-skelter of a mighty army of 



