84 BIRD-HUNTING 



having read that this bird had sometimes allowed itself 

 to be caught in the hand, and so I approached through 

 the deep water, nearly up to my waist, very slowly 

 and cautiously until within arm's length. Then, by a 

 quick movement, I succeeded in grasping it by the 

 neck. In truth I was almost as much astonished as 

 the bird at such a curious capture, perhaps more so, 

 for it showed neither surprise nor fear, but sat on my 

 knee, after returning to the boat, quite contentedly, 

 without making the least attempt to escape. 



A few days after this second unsuccessful search 

 I received a letter from an English lady I had met 

 on the steamer before arriving at Dulcigno, to say 

 that she had mentioned my quest after Pelicans to 

 the Austrian Consul at Durazzo in Albania. He 

 had told her that Pelicans were numerous there, 

 close to the town — in fact, that they were visible 

 from his windows with the aid of a glass, and that 

 if I liked to come he would be very glad to put me 

 up and assist me to the best of his ability. 



This offer, so unexpected, coming from a com- 

 plete stranger, was as welcome as it was unlooked 

 for. In fact, it relieved me of so much doubt as to 

 what I should do next that I wrote at once to say 

 that I should come as soon as I possibly could. I 

 packed up all my belongings, lost no time in board- 

 ing the next steamer bound for the Albanian ports, 

 and started off to see my unknown friend. 



